Newborn Development – Birth to 3 months

A newborn baby is being held by a person, likely a healthcare worker, in a hospital or medical setting. The baby is reaching out with its hand, and there is a medical scale or monitor in the foreground.

Your baby comes into this world with so many communication skills.

They know your voice and will become calm when you speak to them in a soothing voice.

The main way they tell you “hey, something’s up” is by crying.

Every time you respond to their cries you are telling them “I’m listening and I’m here for you” - you are validating your baby’s attempts to communicate.

This is such an exciting time as you watch your baby fall in love with you.

Remember that if your little one was born a little early, they may take a few more weeks to reach these milestones. This is completely normal.

When looking at their development think about their ‘corrected age’.

A baby being held by a parent.

    • Becomes quiet and may smile in response to your voice

    • Turns towards your voice

    • Becomes calm when you speak with a soft, soothing voice

    • Startles at loud noises

  • Cries to tell you “something's up”

    • After a while you’ll start to notice different cries for different needs (“where are you?”, “I’m hungry”, “my tummy hurts”).

    Makes eye contact and is very interested in faces

    First smiles

    • HOORAY – these usually start at around 6 weeks.

    Discovers their voice

    • From about 8 weeks your baby will love to make lots of “cooing” noises and long vowel sounds.

    By 2 months your baby will start to have mini conversations with you.

    • They will listen to you talk and when you stop, they will make sounds back to you.

A woman with long dark hair holding a baby with brown hair, smiling and yawning, close to a white vertical panel background.
Play ideas for you and your baby