Now your three-month-old seems more like a baby and much less a newborn. This month your little one is going to make great strides in development. The innate tendency and drive to learn about their surroundings becomes apparent this month onwards. Your baby is gaining better control over his legs and arms, and enjoys games, which allow him to exercise these skills. Your baby is also more responsive, affectionate and demonstrates this by flashing beautiful social smiles at you and others he meets. His whole body responds by moving in synchrony when you talk to him. He is also beginning to make sense of the little everyday things, like his bottle. He is beginning to comprehend the basics of cause and effect; in fact it is becoming important to him to know that he can influence his environment. He thrives on response. This is clear in his toy choice; he prefers toys that respond with sound or movement to his limited ways of handling them. He loves having his parents respond when he cries, when he calls out to play, when he makes those subtle expressions. One more thing...if your baby had colic, then this is probably the month, when magically the long hours of wailing will make an exit!

Baby Watch

Be sensitive to signals for time-outs
You should always be alert to the signals your baby gives you the moment she's done with play. A scenario to explain this: you and your baby are having fun talking and giggling. She smiles and gurgles and all of a sudden she yawns and turns away. She may grimace and try and twist away. When this happens your baby is letting you know she needs a break. One reason for time out is your baby needs quiet time to absorb the new experience or information. Another is your baby needs to calm herself down from all the excitement before entering another play episode. Your baby is not rejecting you; she just needs a rest period in between. The same thing is applicable when baby plays with toys. If she shows disinterest, waving the toy in front of her eyes is only going to upset her more. However if she is enjoying something, don't remove it to present another one in haste. Follow your baby's cues and prevent fun from turning into frustration.

Baby on the Road
A car trip is often the way to travel with baby. You can go on the spur of the moment; you can stop whenever you want or need to. You wont need to set any speed records - be prepared for a 3 hour trip to take at least 5. Make preparation to ensure a pleasant time for all and factor in extra time for unplanned stops. Some tips you may find useful:

• Feed baby before leaving, so you wont have to make a feeding stop too soon. It is not advisable to take baby out of her car seat (assuming you are using one) to nurse or bottle feed in a moving vehicle.

• Leave just before baby's naptime, if possible, or a little before her naptime.

• Be prepared for frequent stops. It is difficult to keep baby confined for long; use this time to yourself and baby a break out of the car.

• Factor in extra time for everything. You need to feed and change baby, comfort a fussy baby. Some babies have a hard time sleeping in the car so you may need to let her lie down for a bit.

• Have her favorite toys and comfort objects at hand.

• Bring along her favorite music CDs.

• Pack all the supplies you will need i.e. disposable diapers, baby wipes, formula, bottles, burp cloths, change of clothes, anything else your baby may require.

• Neck support or a rolled soft blanket to provide your baby with a comfortable sleeping position

Make preparations before hand. Pack things last that you would require soonest so that they are readily available. Keep essentials within easy access.

First-Aid Kit - a must in your home

Keep these items together in a handy location; you may never know when you will need them.

• Thermometer
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Ear- buds
• Baby wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• Medication to reduce pain and relieve fever (follow your pediatrician's commendation)
• Cool mist humidifier
• Dropper or oral syringe to measure accurately any liquid medication
• Electrolyte solution(baby formula)(follow your ediatrician's recommendation)
• Nasal aspirator for clearing nasal congestion.

Ear Piercing
Many mums would like to have their baby girls ears pierced at an early age. There are two camps of thoughts on when it should be done. One camp believes that piercing in the months of life is not advisable, as baby's immune system is not fully developed. The second camp believes if a sterile technique with other safety measures are used, it is OK.

Prevention against infection:
Go to a person experienced in piercing babies. Use 14k gold posts to avoid allergic reaction, as some babies are known to react against sterling silver or stainless steel posts. Keep the area clean after the procedure. Strep or staph bacteria can enter open wounds causing red and swollen earlobes, which is only treatable with antibiotics.

Choose the right earrings:
With the piercing done, your next concern will be the earring choice. Screw-on back is a better option, as they don't come off easily when baby starts to play with her ears. She may put the loose part in her mouth and choke on it.

Word of caution:
Some doctors advise piercing when baby is at least 4 months old, after having received at least two shots of Dtap (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)

Solids to induce Sleep
A friend or relative may wrongly advise you on your baby requiring solid food to sleep better and longer. Babies should not be given anything besides milk until he turns 4-5 months old. Baby is not going to gain nutritionally or sleep longer if he goes on solids this early; on the contrary tummy aches can develop since the digestive system is not equipped to deal with other foods. This will defeat the purpose and keep the ailing baby up all night instead.



Fluoride Supplementation
For healthy development of teeth babies need fluoride. Bring up this issue with your pediatrician. Most pediatricians begin the supplement when baby is about 6 months old. Dosage depends on fluoride content in your water supply and whether baby is receiving any of that water. For example, powdered formula is made with water compared to breast milk or ready-to-use formula, and that may determine when to begin supplementation. Too much fluoride can cause discolored or mottled teeth so it is best to receive your pediatrician's guidance on this.

Baby's Soft Spots
Soft spots on baby's head enable his head to grow. The spot at the back of his head should close about now. The bigger one at the top of baby's head takes longer to close; it usually hardens completely after baby turns 18 months old. It is ok to touch these spots gently. If the fontanel sinks in or bulges or hardens before it should, call your pediatrician for an assessment.

Baby-proofing your home
Think now, before baby is mobile, about baby proofing your home. Some people believe that nothing should be moved or put away as this will train baby on what he can and cannot touch. Other parents believe that anything baby might reach should be removed so you never have to deny your baby anything. The middle road is best; you don't have to put away everything your baby might reach or touch. Store away breakables, valuables and dangerous items for a while. Put only what is safe around the house. Sooner or later, your baby has to understand and learn 'No'. Let the practice begin on safe objects that don't pose any danger. This way baby expands his horizons without causing damage and endangering himself along the way.
Smoking and Baby

Smoking harms baby.
Secondary smoke itself contains more than 200 poisonous substances, which your baby breathes in each time you or someone else lights a cigarette near him. It is advisable to quit the habit. Baby develops many complications such as respiratory infections, asthma, breathing problems, middle ear infections. It also contributes to the development of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). In addition accidents can happen where the smoker may accidentally burn him with a lit cigarette. If you and other members cannot give up the habit, be sure not to smoke around baby or anywhere else in the house. Smoke outside. Never smoke in enclosed spaces such as cars when baby is with you. Avoid smoke-filled areas whenever possible such as restaurants or public areas where smoking is allowed. Make sure your baby is protected at child-care centers as well.

Toy Hazards
Start paying attention to toy details from now on, as your baby is growing older and the potential for hazard increases. Avoid toys with small parts to it such as eyes or nose that your baby might pull off a stuffed toy. Avoid toys that are too small or have small loose pieces to them.

Milestones - your Baby's progress report

You will be amazed by the changes that manifest this month.

Baby can lift Head:
Strength and body control continues to increase. He can now lift his head easily when on tummy. When you hold baby, he may push away to look over your shoulder. He can even turn his head when lying on his stomach. Help your baby build his strength.

• Frequently hold baby to your shoulder so he can look around.

• Place baby on his stomach in different settings - the living room floor, bed so that he is exposed to new and interesting surroundings; always stay close by.

• When on tummy, dangle a favorite toy few inches in front of him. Raise the toy slowly while encouraging him to push up, up on his arms to keep toy within view.

Baby Gazes:
Your baby now looks at objects with greater concentration, often for long periods of time. Encourage this by holding up colorful fascinating things for her to explore visually. She will especially delight when she spots a favorite object because she is now beginning to recognize familiar things. Her vision is sharpening as well. While holding baby, notice her looking at details of your face such as eyebrows, nose and lips. She is beginning to tell one person apart from another and her face especially lights up when she sees you.

Baby's Vocal Cords:
Your baby adds lots of new sounds to her vocal repertoire. She makes little pops, hums and buzzes when excited and dismayed sounding noises when disappointed. She expresses a wide range of feelings: interest, amusement, excitement, surprise, affection and disappointment. Those coos and gurgles increase rapport with baby. She will 'talk' to you more when you talk and touch her.

Baby's reaction to Sound:
Different sounds produce different reactions. While babies love listening to musical sounds from toys or mobiles or music CDs and your singing, they show aversion to high pitched, piercing type of sounds coming from pressure cookers, vacuum cleaners or police sirens. Such sounds freeze babies or make them cry. It is natural for mammals to react instinctively to loud high-pitched sounds, albeit negatively.

Toys and Play

Batting practice:
Babies this age delight in batting at simple objects that dangle near their fists. It is a good eye-hand coordination practice and an important step to reaching and grasping. Colorful, fairly light and large objects make good batting toys.

• Lie baby on back. Dangle the toy few inches above her hands and encourage her to hit it. Tap her fist against the toy to get her started.

• Hold the toy further away when she becomes more adept. Sit her on your lap and dangle toy out in front of rather than over her.

A word of Caution:
ensure the string of toy is no longer than 6 inches if you are using string. Detach the string if baby is playing with toy to prevent baby from getting tangled in it.

Kick Toy:
Babies like to kick toys too. Attach a rattle or bell with self-adhesive cloth tape to baby's ankle. When he kicks he will amuse himself with the noise he makes. Don't leave baby unattended.

Little Piggies to the Market:
This is an interactive game which both of you will enjoy. Sit baby on your lap or lie him down on the floor. Say one line as you gently wiggle each to on his foot. When you reach the last line, run your fingers up baby's body, tickling him lightly

This little piggy went to market.
This little piggy stayed at home.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
And this little piggy cried, "Mama!"
All the way home!

Push-ups:
Help baby strengthen his upper-body by placing him on his tummy with his arms stretched out in front. Shake a rattle above his head to encourage him to look up. Shake the rattle below him so he looks down. Do this a couple of times so he moves up and down.