Bringing home your newborn is like starting an exciting adventure. In these first three months, your baby will grow and change rapidly, developing new skills and abilities. Understanding these growth patterns and milestones can help you feel more confident as a parent.
Weight Gain: What to Expect
Initial Weight Loss
- It’s normal for newborns to lose about 5–10% of their birth weight in the first few days after birth (MedlinePlus, n.d.).
- By around two weeks, they usually regain this weight (MedlinePlus, n.d.).
Steady Weight Gain
- After regaining birth weight, babies typically gain about 1 ounce (28 grams) per day during the first three months (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).
- This translates to an average weight gain of 1.5 to 2 pounds (680–900 grams) per month (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).
Growth in Length and Head Circumference
Length
- Babies grow approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) per month in the first three months (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).
Head Circumference
- Your baby’s head grows about 0.5 inches (1.25 centimeters) per month, reflecting brain development (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).
Developmental Milestones by Month
Your baby will reach new physical, cognitive, and social milestones during these early months. Keep in mind that every baby develops at their own pace (CDC, 2023).
Spanish Growth Chart
English Growth Chart
Month 1: Adjusting to the World
Physical Development:
Moves arms and legs more smoothly (AAP, n.d.) Turns head toward sounds (AAP, n.d.) Briefly lifts head when on tummy (AAP, n.d.) Hands are mostly clenched into fists (CDC, 2023)
Cognitive & Sensory Development: Blinks in response to bright lights (CDC, 2023) Starts tracking objects with their eyes (AAP, n.d.) Recognizes parents’ voices (AAP, n.d.)
Social & Emotional Development: Stares at faces, especially parents’ (AAP, n.d.) Begins making cooing sounds (CDC, 2023) Shows preference for human voices over other sounds (AAP, n.d.)
How to Support Your Baby:
- Talk & Sing: Speak to your baby throughout the day—your voice is comforting (AAP, n.d.).
- Tummy Time: Start with short, supervised sessions (a few minutes at a time) to help strengthen neck muscles (AAP, n.d.).
- Skin-to-Skin Contact: Helps with bonding and regulating your baby’s body temperature (AAP, n.d.).
Month 2: Becoming More Alert & Engaged
Physical Development: Holds head up for longer periods when on tummy (CDC, 2023) Begins to push up slightly on arms (AAP, n.d.) Improved arm and leg coordination (AAP, n.d.) Hands start to open more (CDC, 2023)
Cognitive & Sensory Development: Follows moving objects more smoothly with eyes (AAP, n.d.) Starts to respond to familiar voices with cooing or small sounds (CDC, 2023) Begins to recognize different facial expressions (AAP, n.d.)
Social & Emotional Development: Starts smiling responsively (social smiles!) (CDC, 2023) Expresses displeasure with fussing or crying (AAP, n.d.) Enjoys looking at people and mimicking facial expressions (AAP, n.d.)
How to Support Your Baby:
- Encourage Eye Contact: Make faces, smile, and talk to your baby (AAP, n.d.).
- Introduce Simple Toys: Soft rattles or high-contrast black-and-white toys can grab attention (CDC, 2023).
- Continue Tummy Time: Helps prevent flat spots on the head and strengthens muscles (AAP, n.d.).
Month 3: Stronger & More Interactive
Physical Development: Lifts head and chest higher while on tummy (CDC, 2023) Kicks and stretches legs more actively (AAP, n.d.) Begins to grasp objects with hands (AAP, n.d.) Brings hands together and to mouth (CDC, 2023)
Cognitive & Sensory Development: Recognizes caregivers’ voices and turns toward them (AAP, n.d.) Starts showing anticipation (e.g., excited when about to be fed) (CDC, 2023) Enjoys looking at bright colors and patterns (AAP, n.d.)
Social & Emotional Development: Laughs for the first time (AAP, n.d.) Enjoys interactive play (e.g., peekaboo) (CDC, 2023) Responds to familiar voices with coos, gurgles, and babbling (AAP, n.d.)
How to Support Your Baby:
- Encourage Grasping: Offer soft toys or rings for baby to hold (AAP, n.d.).
- Talk & Respond: When your baby coos, respond back to encourage conversation (AAP, n.d.).
- Increase Tummy Time: Helps prepare baby for rolling over and sitting up (AAP, n.d.).
Monitoring Your Baby’s Growth
During well-baby checkups, your pediatrician will measure your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference and track their growth over time. Growth varies among babies, so steady progress along their own curve is what matters most (KidsHealth, n.d.).
When to Be Concerned
Contact your pediatrician if:
Your baby hasn’t regained birth weight by two weeks old (Stanford Children’s Health, n.d.). There’s a significant drop in weight, length, or head circumference percentiles (Stanford Children’s Health, n.d.). Your baby is not gaining about 1 ounce per day during the first three months (Stanford Children’s Health, n.d.).
Supporting Healthy Growth & Development
Nutrition:
Ensure your baby is feeding well, whether through breastfeeding or formula feeding (AAP, n.d.). Newborns typically eat 8–12 times per day in the first few weeks (AAP, n.d.).
Sleep:
Newborns sleep 16–17 hours a day in the first month (Enfamil, n.d.). Sleep patterns may not be regular yet, but babies gradually develop more consistent naps (AAP, n.d.).
Tummy Time & Play:
Helps develop muscles needed for rolling, sitting, and crawling (AAP, n.d.). Start with just a few minutes at a time and gradually increase as your baby gets stronger (AAP, n.d.).
Remember:
Every baby is unique, and growth patterns can vary. Regular checkups with your pediatrician will help ensure your baby is on track. The most important thing is providing love, care, and a nurturing environment for your baby to thrive.
Video Resources:
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English:
Bibliography:
Growth and Weight Gain
- MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Newborn weight loss and gain. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Infant growth: What to expect in the first year. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org
- Stanford Children’s Health. (n.d.). Newborn weight gain and growth concerns. Retrieved from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org
Length and Head Circumference Growth
4. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Growth and development in infants: What to expect. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org
5. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Baby’s head growth and brain development. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
Developmental Milestones
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Important milestones: Your baby by 2 months & 3 months. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones
7. American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Developmental milestones for babies: Month-by-month guide. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org
Monitoring Growth and Pediatric Checkups
8. KidsHealth. (n.d.). Growth and development in infants. Nemours Foundation. Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org
Supporting Healthy Growth
9. Enfamil. (n.d.). Newborn sleep patterns and tips. Retrieved from https://www.enfamil.com
10. American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Tummy time: What parents need to know. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org
image sources:
- 4th Trimester Growth Chart
- 4th Trimester Growth Chart
- Baby Weight Gain Chart Images, Photos | Mungfali
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