A baby begins to play and socialize during the third month of life. Playing begins with the hands. They are looked at and played with for long periods. Smiling is frequent and babbling becomes the major speech events. Babies enjoy repeating actions or experiences. They are comforted by consistent care. Routines minimize a baby's anxiety and stress. Lack of routine promotes fragile growth instead of self-sufficiency. New growth and developmental milestones occur by the end of 3 months.

The 3-month-old's motor skills include:
* Using voluntary control instead of reflexes.
* Pressing feet against a surface when pulled to stand.
* Using a pulling up reflex with both hands.
* Beginning attempts to roll over from back to stomach.
* Using arms together or legs together or using one arm and one leg on the same side in unison.
* Lifting head for many minutes.
* Head more steady when held in a sitting position.

The 3-month-old's language skills include:
* Crying less.
* Whimpering, gurgling, squealing, chuckling, and cooing.
* Offering a vocal response to people.

The 3-month-old's mental abilities include:
* Hearing and seeing approach maturity.
* Can interact with parent for 15 or 30 minutes at a time.
* Glancing from one object to another.
* Swiping at an object with a fist or reaching with both hands.
* Using hands and mouth to explore objects and enjoys gumming.

The 3-month-old's social traits include:
* Patterns are regulated for eating and sleeping.
* Reveals strong attachment to mother with cries and vocals.
* Turns head towards voices or people approaching.

Give your baby lots of attention. Spend a lot of time actively playing with him to stimulate the developing senses. Keep your baby safe from suffocation. Remove cords, chains, and small objects from the baby's reach. Have baby sleep on her back or side unless you have been told otherwise by your health care provider. Be sure your baby receives its second Hepatitis B immunization now.

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