Your Three-Month -Old

Healthy Start, Grow Smart

Your Three-Month -Old

Healthy Start, Grow Smart
Pr

U.S. Depart

U.S. Depart

U.S. Department of 

Health

Grow 

Your Thre
Here’s What’s Insi

Talk to Your Baby with Body LangPrepare for Your Baby’s Four-Mon

A Book for Memories . . . . . . . . Giving Your Baby Breast Milk, Eve

Feeding Your Baby Formula . . . Your Baby Is Sleeping Longer at N

Wet Diapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Help Your Baby Every Day . . . . . Safety Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Give Safe Toys to Your Baby . . . Tips on Pacifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . Questions Parents Ask . . . . . . . What’s It Like To Be Three MonthYour Baby Has Emotions, Too . . Games To Play with Your Baby . Things To Do with Your Baby . . Babies Learn in Many Ways . . . . You Can Help Your Baby Learn Exercise Keeps You Healthy . . . Things You Can Do To Relax . . . 

Teach Your Baby To Trust . . . . . Ask Others for Help . . . . . . . . . . Information Resources for Familie

AcknowledgmentsThis publication was an initiative of Laura Bush as the First

Lady of Texas and sponsored by the Texas Department of Health. PresidentBush and Mrs. Bush have asked that this series of booklets be revised anddistributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department ofEducation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.We would like to thank the Texas Department of Health for their cooperationand assistance in bringing this publication to families across the UnitedStates. In addition, we recognize the contributions that Susan H. Landry,Ph.D., Craig T. Ramey, Ph.D. and many other individuals made in the development of this magazine.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Talk to Your Baby 

You 

eacyetare Bodyouyou 

movements. You can show love fohim. You can show love by playing "talk" back to you with coos, wiggEven at three months, your baby kpeople’s voices. He will make eye you are his mom or dad. He will tsees and hears you. You are learning to “speak” your bdifference when he is crying becauchanging. You can tell when he’s You have learned when he is tired because he turns away or stiffens crying to let you know how he feewants some quiet time to just looTalking with your baby lets him k
A 

You 

shotyou ic haYou 

his shots when he goes to school oOne way you can keep information memory book. You can use any kiyou can keep health records and ohealth, growth and development. You can write down all his great “walks or talks. You can write dates can write monthly weights and hehealth information is important to You can use your book to keep othabout your child. You can put in fphotos of your baby. You can writon, you can save drawings by your When he is older, you and your chbook together.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 2 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Prepare for Your Baby’s Four-Month CheckupCall your doctor now to set up your baby’s four-month checkup for next

month. This visit is very important for your child’s health.During the four-month visit, your baby will have another complete checkup. This includes his weight, length and head size. His heart and lungswill also be checked. The doctor will check on how your baby holds his headup and uses his hands. Your baby’s hearing and vision will also be checked.Make sure your doctor undresses your baby for a complete physical exam. Your baby will get his second set of shots. These may include three shots:one for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; one for polio; and one for hemophilus influenzae B (flu). You can ask questions about the baby’s growth, health and development.Write questions down when you think of them. Then you can bring a listwith you to the checkup. The list will help you remember what you want toask. Your baby needs checkups again at six months, nine months and oneyear of age.If your baby is eligible for Medicaid, he can get free checkups. You can callyour local social welfare, health or family services office to see if you qualifyfor Medicaid services. If you don’t have health insurance for your baby, you can learn aboutresources in your state by contacting the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services Insure Kids Now Program at 1-877-KIDSNOW. You canalso visit their Web site at www.insurekidsnow.gov for more informationabout free or low-cost health insurance for children. Many public librariesoffer free access to the Internet and provide help for first-time users. 
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 4 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Giving Your Baby Breast Milk, Even If You’re Working

Breast milk is still the best food for your three-month-old baby. You don’t

need to give your baby water, juice, cow’smilk or solid food right now. Usually, babiesneed only breast milk for the first six months.By now, you and your baby have a schedulefor feedings. You may wonder how you cannurse your baby after you return to work. 

One way is to pump your breast milk into a bottle. There are special breastpumps that you can buy to help you pump out your breast milk efficiently.Other caregivers can then feed it to your baby while you are away. Breast milk can be stored in a bottle in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Itwill keep for two to three months in the freezer. Always label and date bottles of breast milk. Not all moms may be able to provide breast milk for their babies in daycare. Some moms may choose not to pump breast milk. In this case, thebaby can be given formula at day care. Moms who don’t pump can stillbreastfeed their babies before and after work. Going back to work takes preparation. Start pumping your breast milk afew weeks before you return to work. Have someone else give your babyyour breast milk in a bottle. Do this for one feeding each day. When youreturn to your job, nurse your baby before going to work. Continue tonurse him when you are at home. 

Take the bottles of breast milk whCarry the bottles in a cooler. Put ttles. Your baby’s caregiver will give If you have any questions or probltor, nurse or WIC breastfeeding coing, you may call La Leche Leagusite at www.lalecheleague.org/.Feeding Your Baby Maybe you are not breastfee

you leave for work, make sure youformula. There are three ways to p

The three ways are:

★ Powdered: This is the cheape

boil the water. The water sho

★ Concentrated: This is a thick 

(boiled) water.

★ Ready-to-feed: This formula i

to use. But it costs the most.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 6 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Your Baby Is Sleep

Every baby will have a different slroutine. At three months, a baby nsleeps longer at night. He may wato wake your baby for feedings at night, he will feed more often durSome babies begin sleeping throuOthers don’t sleep through the nieven older. Has your baby been sleis a good age to move him into an

Wet Diapers Your baby is getting enough 

a day. The diapers can be cloth or in the number of bowel movemenmay not have a bowel movement constipated as long as the bowel m

Feeding Your Baby Formula continued...

You should ask your doctor about what kind of formula to buy for

your baby. Some formulas are sold for babies with special problems. Yourdoctor can tell you which formula is best for your baby. There is a date on the formula. Do not use the formula after this date.The formula will not be safe to give to your baby after this date. Prepare formula by carefully following instructions on the can. Openedcans of formula or prepared bottles can be stored in a refrigerator for upto 48 hours. Any formula left in the bottle after a feeding should bethrown away. Generally, the baby is fed four to six ounces of warmed formula everythree to four hours. To be sure that he gets enough formula, ask your doctor about how much is good for your baby. Make sure your baby’s caregiver has enough formula to give to your baby.And be sure to tell the caregiver how much formula your baby takes. You and your baby’s caregiver should not make up your own infant formula. Do not add honey, corn syrup or anything to the baby’s formula. Thiscan make your baby sick. 

Do not feed your baby:

★ Cow’s milk★ Goat’s milk★ Evaporated milk★ Condensed milk
Help Your Baby Every Day

Here are things you can do to help your baby every day:Babies learn by watching and touching things. They are exploring

their world. Encourage exploration. Promote your baby’s curiosity and exploration by holding things within his reach and helping him touch them.

Exploring on his own is important for your baby. But don’t limit it to

that. Help him seek new experiences, like reaching for your hand and touchingyour fingers. Babies also like to feel things that are soft, fuzzy or smooth.

Be your baby’s teacher. Your baby learns about life by watching you and

what you do.

Babies learn when you do simple, everyday things. This is as simple as looking in your baby’s eyes and making funny faces. Or let him touch

your face and hair.

Get excited with your baby about all the

things he does and the sounds he makes. You andyour baby will enjoy this. Make a big deal out oflittle things, like when your baby makes a littlesound while you’re talking to him. Let him knowhe is a great talker. Help him to learn to "talk" backand forth. When he coos at you, gently coo back.Wait and see if he "answers" you with another coo.If he does so, you should answer him. Do this withgiggles, coos and other baby sounds. 

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 8 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Do activities over and over 

each time your baby practices a skagain. This is as simple as helping 

Protect your baby from disap

Never permit others to tease, punwork with babies. Punishment can the wrong lessons to be learned.

Communicate. Use sounds, son

When you do this, you help him l

Take good care of your baby

home is a safe place for him to exroutine. Your child will begin to ktimes but not at other times. He sons for this.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 10 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Safety TipsThings you should do to keep your baby safe:★ When traveling with your baby, be sure to use

an infant car seat that meets the Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standards. Look for a tag or labelthat says the seat meets these standards. 

★ The middle of the back seat of the car is the safest place for your baby.

The infant car seat must be in the back seat. The infant seat mustface the rear of the car. It is not safe to use it in the front seat.

★ Check the bath water before bathing your baby. Test it with the inside

of your wrist or with a thermometer. If possible, set the water heaterin your home to 120 degrees.

★ Always check warmed formula to make sure it is not too hot.★ Instruct caregivers carefully. Write things down for them. Make sure

that everyone who takes care of your baby understands that you havespecific expectations about how to treat and care for your baby.

★ Make sure that you and others put your baby to sleep on his back in a

safe baby crib.

Numbers to call for information:To learn more about safety, you can call the Consumer Product SafetyCommission at 1-800-638-2772 or you can visit their Web site atwww.cpsc.gov/.Families who cannot afford a car safety seat can contact the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration. They can provide information onresources that help low-income families purchase or borrow child car seats.You may call them at 1-800-424-9393 or visit their Web site atwww.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

Things you should not do:

★ Never leave your baby alone o★ Never leave your baby alone i★ Never put your baby in an inf

table or chair.

★ Never hold your baby while y

or cooking at a stove.

★ Don’t allow anyone to smoke ★ Never leave your baby alone i★ Never hold your baby in your l★ Never shake or hit your baby.★ Never leave your baby alone w

Make sure your baby’s crib i

★ Slats should be spaced no mo

★ The mattress should fit snugl★ The crib bumpers should fit s

attached so that they stay in 

★ Check crib toys, bumpers, pa

they have no strings longer t
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 12 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Give Safe Toys to Your Baby

Do not give your baby toys that he

can choke on. Make sure toys do nothave small, detachable parts like buttons or loose tufts of cotton or material. These things can become moreweakly attached over time and becomea choking hazard. Toys or items small

enough to place in his mouth are not safe. Toys with strings or ties cancause problems. Babies can get tangled in mobiles that are hung too closeto them. 

Here are some suggestions for safe toys and play activities:

★ The best toy you can give your three-month-old baby is a plastic or

rubber ring. Watch as he explores the ring with his hands and mouth.

★ Lay your baby on his tummy and roll a brightly colored ball from side

to side in front of him.

★ Ring a bell or squeeze a squeaky toy while your baby is watching.★ Put some brightly colored toys in your baby’s bath.★ Blow liquid bubbles with a wand while holding your baby. He will love

to watch the bubbles as they float by.

Tips on PacifiersBy now you have noticed tha

lot. Sucking brings pleasure to a bage. Being able to suck his own finself feel good all by himself. SuckiSometimes sucking fingers is a sigA baby often sucks his fingers or phis world. As something grabs his moment to watch. He will then stMany parents buy pacifiers for thefiers can harm a baby’s mouth. Yoa baby from developing correctly. your baby uses one.Never tie or pin a pacifier to your get wrapped around his neck. This clothes can stick him. Be sure to buy the kind of pacifier washed in a dishwasher. Clean the it in water or putting it in the dishNever dip a pacifier in sweet liquidGerms in honey and syrups can mtooth decay when your baby is old
Questions Parents Ask

Is it all right to take my baby outdoors?It is a good idea if your baby spends sometime outdoors every day, as long as theweather is not too hot or too cold and aslong as he is feeling good. Babies should bedressed for the weather. If he is sweaty orflushed, remove some clothes. If he is shivering or has goose bumps, add some

clothes. It is important for your baby to wear a cap to cover his head incold weather. Use sunscreen made for babies. Put it on your baby before you take himoutside. Even with sunscreen, it’s best to keep him shaded when he is outdoors. Keep him out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun ishottest during this time. Don’t let him get sunburned. 

Is it all right to take my baby to crowded places?The only problem with crowds of people is the germs that your babymight pick up. People want to hold or pick up a small baby. Babies canpick up illnesses very easily. Try to keep strangers from playing with yourbaby. It can prevent the spread of germs. You should also keep your babyaway from people who are sneezing or who have runny noses.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 14 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

What’s It Like To 

How I grow★ I don’t bob my head as much.★ I keep my hands loosely open

most of the time.

★ I will hold objects, but I will no

reach for them.

★ I move my arms and legs a lot.★ When held in a standing positi

I can bear some weight on mylegs. 

★ When I’m on my tummy, I can

hold my head up for 10 seconds longer.

★ I touch my face with my hands

How I talk★ I gurgle, whimper and chuckle★ I don’t cry as much as I used to★ I squeal and make other sound

when you talk to me.
Games To Play wi

Your baby also needs to look at, feHe needs to move around. His expbegin to learn how things work ancolors and textures.Give your baby objects of different soft, fuzzy, long, short, sticky). Mato be too large for your baby to pugerous. Your baby can choke on thHelp your baby play with these obmake them move. If you have a crib mobile above wha jiggle to make it move. Your babhold still for a moment so you can play patty cake on his tummy wheWhen he coos or gurgles, make thback and forth with you. It is the Sing songs to your baby. Sing livebies when you are quieting him. Y

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 16 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Your Baby Has Emotions, Too Your baby starts to develop socially at an early age. He also has emotions from an early age. Social and emotional growth start long before

your baby can talk or move around.Infants quickly understand and show emotions in their own way. Yourbaby learns to make himself happy. He watches things that interest him.He finds ways to occupy himself. Little by little, your baby also finds outhow to get a response from you.Your baby can show how happy or how excited he is. You see this whenyou play and talk with him. Research shows that babies are fussier whenparents or other adults argue. It may be best to protect your baby fromthe ups and downs between the adults in his life.Help your baby show different emotions. Help him show happiness. Helphim show sadness. Talk to him about how he feels about particular things —“That big dog sort of scares you, doesn’t it?” Do this when you are withhim. This helps him make sense of the world. He will have the skills tojoin in successfully.Babies start out with easy-to-read types of emotions. They might smile orlaugh to show happiness. They might pout or cry to show they are mad orsad. Over time, they show many different emotions. They will show pride.They will show worry. With your help, your baby will learn more ways torespond to what is happening in his life.
Things To Do with Your Baby

Your baby stays awake longer now.That means he has more time to explorehis world. He is still learning about hisbody, so he may play with his hands ortouch his own eyes, nose, mouth and chin.He is more involved in his surroundings.He no longer waits for someone to smileor speak to him. He seeks out faces, thensmiles and babbles. 

Here are some activities that will help your baby learn more about theworld around him:

★ Take your baby outside and sit under a tree. He will enjoy watching

birds and seeing lights and shadows as they move through the trees.He can hear new sounds, too, like rustling leaves, birds calling and theengines of cars and airplanes.

★ Cradle your baby in your lap, and support his back and head with your

arms. Gently rock him back and forth while you sing.

★ Help your baby learn to roll by placing your hands under his shoulders.

Gently rock him back and forth. Talk to him while you are doing this.

★ Whisper in your baby’s ear. Talk to your baby about things and make

different sounds – like a moo, a bark, a meow or a peep.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 18 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Babies Learn in MThe early wiring of your baby’s brThe kinds of experiences he has in ing impact. So does the quality of does helps his brain develop. This The brain controls how your babyand feeling. It controls learning anWhat you say and do with your bahappens when you show your babyou show him how to reach for a you help him make new sounds.Play with your baby. Talk to him. a difference in how his brain deveSay lots of different words. Point o“Look, here’s a spoon. Can you see Different babies learn new skills in baby learns new things. Doing macan help your baby learn. It helps Have fun with your baby. Do thingbaby is special. As a father or motyour baby’s life.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 20 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Exercise Keeps You 

SimtiexyoIf ab

and dads. Most of the time, people they deal with stress better. To exeYou can walk for exercise. A brisk walk. This is true as long as the lehave 30 minutes to exercise, you wthan by walking slowly. Even slow walking will help a peperson in better shape will need new benefits.Sometimes it helps to have someowith your husband or a friend. In a stroller. Your baby will enjoy you

You Can Help Your Baby LearnYou can do many things to encourage your baby’s learning and successful development. These are easy things to do. You can just have fun

with your baby, and he will learn. You can just be a parent, and your babycan just be a baby. 

Here are things you can do:

★ Give your baby things to play with. Babies like to hold things and put

them in their mouths. Help your baby play with new toys and objects.Make sure what you give your baby is safe. (Never give your baby a balloon or a plastic bag to play with. He can choke on these things.)

★ Give your baby things to look at. Brightly colored mobiles over a crib

help his vision develop. Hang the mobiles high enough so that yourbaby can’t pull them down. You can also show pictures of faces to yourbaby.

★ Talk to your baby and read to your baby. Use a kind voice.★ Respond when your baby cries. This helps him learn that he can 

communicate to make his needs known.

★ Take your baby to different places and let him see different things. ★ Touch your baby and cuddle him. Make sure he knows you love him.

Talk softly and calmly. Be soothing.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 22 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Things You Can Do To Relax 

With a young baby, you may be feeling

extra stress. You can find some ways to relax.Every day, you should take 15 or 20 minutesto relax. The first thing to do is to put yourbaby in a safe place. Notice what part of your body is tense.Perhaps you feel tense in your shoulder

muscles or in your arms or legs. Stretch that part of your body out andrelax it gently. Keep it relaxed while breathing in and out. Flex and relaxeach part of your body.You can do breathing exercises almost anywhere. Slow down your breathing. Count slowly up to four when you breathe in. Then count slowly upto four when you breathe out. Or pause slightly after you breathe in, andpause again after you breathe out.These breathing exercises help you through periods of waiting. You can dothem when stuck in traffic or when you are on hold on the telephone.Take a moment to do them when your baby is crying and won’t stop. 

Other things you can do to help you relax:

★ Schedule time for phone calls to people you enjoy.★ Have lunch once a week with a special friend.★ Plan a special time to be with your child’s father.★ Walk or do aerobics.★ Get or give a backrub.★ Listen to calming music.

Teach Your Baby Your baby needs you to help hi

your baby’s trust is one of the most iThe way to teach your baby to trust ents are afraid they may spoil a baby Meeting your baby’s needs is not spchange his diapers and comfort him and feel more secure.You may feel you have the hardest fort when he’s fussy. These times Babies can fuss for all kinds of reasuch as how to talk and how to coto learn how to get your attention ing to annoy you or because he is You already have learned some thhold him close, rock him, bathe hlearned to sing to him. You have laround. You have learned to alwayWhen you take care of your baby’s For example, your baby may quit him or change his diaper. He has have to keep crying. Your baby will spend time amusin“talk” to himself. He will play with These periods when your baby amthat he feels safe, secure and trust
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 24 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Ask Others for Help

Having a baby is exciting and joyous.There’s so much to do and learn. Yourwhole family is excited. But having a newbaby brings lots of new feelings andchanges in your life.You may be worried about whether you area good parent. You may wonder whether

you can meet your baby’s needs. Keeping your baby fed, bathed and diaperedis a big job. He also wants to bond with you emotionally. Your baby likes to be held. He likes to be talked to. He likes to talk back toyou and likes to have you answer his smiles, coos, giggles and other babysounds. He likes to be rocked and comforted.How do you take care of yourself when your baby needs so much comforting and care? You need to know that it is common to feel run down. If youfeel run down, ask others for help. 

When you need to rest, let your bmembers to help. Your baby needbers of the family. He needs to be and cousins. Be sure your friends and be with your baby.Don’t be surprised if you feel kind your baby. It is common for a new you are a bad parent. You need timyou need to adjust to the changes Sometimes this feeling of sadness be having postpartum depressionnew mothers have this kind of dehelp you. Don’t try to hide these feelings frtant to talk about what is happen
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

To learn more about free or low-ccall the U.S. Department of Health program at 1-877-KIDSNOW. You www.insurekidsnow.gov/. The American Association of Poisotrol hotline, 1-800-222-1222, shouTo learn more, you can visit the AFamilies who cannot afford a car sHighway Traffic Safety Administraresources that help low-income faYou may call them at 1-800-424-9www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.To learn more about safety, you caCommission at 1-800-638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov/.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart 26 Your Three-Month -Old

Information Resources for FamiliesFamilies who are enrolled in the WIC program (Special SupplementalNutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) can get informationon breastfeeding, formula feeding and nutrition at their local WIC office.Families eligible for WIC receive nutrition counseling and supplementalfoods such as baby formula, milk and cereal. To find the WIC office nearestyou, call your state health department or visit the WIC Web site atwww.fns.usda.gov/wic/. Many public libraries offer free access to theInternet and provide help for first-time users.For information about early childhood education initiatives, you may contact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit theWeb site at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/teachingouryoungest/.To learn about child-care options, you may contact the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, Child Care Aware by phone at 1-800-424-2246or visit their Web site at www.childcareaware.org/.For more information and resources on postpartum depression, breastfeedingand many other women’s health issues call The National Women’s HealthInformation Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 (1-800-994-WOMAN). Youcan visit their Web site at www.4woman.org/.To learn more about breastfeeding, you may call La Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at www.lalecheleague.org/.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart 28 Your Three-Month -Old Healthy Start, Grow Smart 

Coming Next Month

Helping Your Baby To Fall Asleep

Coping with Stress

Toy Safety Is Important

Helping Your Baby Explore

...and much more!

This pamphlet is distributed by the Uand Health and Human Services, and reproduce it in whole or in part is grantion is not necessary, the citation shoDepartment of Education and U.S. DeHealthy Start, Grow Smart, Your ThrTo obtain copies of this report,write to: ED Pubs, Education PublicaEducation, P. O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD or fax your request to: (301) 470-124or e-mail your request to: edpubs@inor call in your request toll-free: 1-87service is not yet available in your areThose who use a telecommunications (TTY), should call 1-800-437-0833. or order online at: www.ed.gov/pubs/This publication is available to downlosite at: www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/earlyavailable in Spanish on the DepartmeOn request, this publication is availabprint, audiotape or computer disketteDepartment’s Alternate Format Cente