- Part 1New Mom's First 40 Days: A Gentle Day-by-Day Guide
- 2Part 2Baby Milestones from 0 to 3 Months: What to ExpectYou are here
- 3Part 3When Do Babies Start Sitting? The Age and Signs to Know
- 4Part 4When Do Babies Start Eating? A Guide to Starting Solids at 6 Months
- 5Part 5When Do Babies Start Crawling? A Guide to Movement and Encouraging Your Baby
- 6Part 6Standing and First Steps: Your Baby's Journey to Walking
In the first forty days your baby mostly slept and fed, but between the first and third month they begin to "wake up" to the world: focusing their gaze, smiling at you, and trying to lift their head. This stage is one of the sweetest you'll experience 💛 In this article I share what to expect and how to help your baby gently — no pressure, no comparison.
Before we start, a golden rule: every baby is different. Age is only a rough guide; what matters is steady progress and readiness signs, not hitting a milestone on an exact day.
This is the second article in our birth to two years series — if you missed part one on the first 40 days, go back to it.
Focusing on your face
In the early weeks your baby's vision is blurry and reaches only 20–30 cm — exactly the distance between your faces during feeding. Gradually they fix their gaze on your face, then slowly follow moving objects. High contrast (black and white) draws them more than colour at this stage.
Responding to sound
Your baby knew your voice before birth. In these months you'll notice they calm to your voice, turn toward sounds, and sometimes startle at a sudden noise. Talk to them often — even if they don't understand words, they're learning the tone of love and the rhythm of language.
The first smile
Around weeks six to eight comes the social smile — the first real smile in response to you, not just a movement during sleep. A moment that erases every tired night 🥹 Smile and talk to them face to face, and you'll see them smile more and more.
Lifting the head and tummy time
The key motor skill at this stage is head control, and the best way to build it is tummy time: placing baby on their tummy while awake and supervised, so they try to lift their head — strengthening the neck, back, and shoulder muscles and preparing them for sitting and crawling later. It also reduces flattening of the back of the head.
How to start tummy time
- Start early with a minute or two, several times a day, and build up gradually.
- Pick a time when baby is awake and happy — not right after feeding.
- Get down to their level: your face in front, a high-contrast toy, or a safe mirror to encourage them to lift their head.
- If they cry, don't force it — shorten the time and try again later. The goal is fun, not a battle.
- Tummy time is for supervised, awake play only — for sleep, always on the back on a firm, flat surface.
What to do daily to help your baby
- Talk and sing: narrate what you're doing, name things, sing — all of it builds their language.
- Daily tummy time as above.
- Eye contact and touch: cuddling and skin contact build security and support development.
- Limit screens: screens aren't recommended at all before about 18 months; real interaction with you is far more valuable.
- Watch their cues: if they turn away or get tired, give them a break — that's how they say "enough stimulation".
Month-by-month milestones
| Age | What your baby may do | How to help |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Focuses on your face up close, calms to your voice, reflex movements | Hold close, black/white contrast, short tummy time |
| Month 2 | Social smile, simple eye tracking, first cooing sounds | Smile and talk face to face, increase tummy time |
| Month 3 | Better head control, opens hands, follows objects, laughs | Hanging toys, play mat, sing and echo their sounds |
Remember: this table is approximate. A baby born early (premature) may reach these milestones by their corrected age, not their age from birth.
When to see the doctor
Every baby has their own rhythm, but see your pediatrician if by the end of the third month you notice:
- Doesn't fix their gaze or follow objects at all
- Doesn't respond to loud sounds
- Never smiles at people
- Can't lift their head a little during tummy time
- Marked stiffness or floppiness in the body
- Doesn't bring their hands to their mouth
Products that may help at this stage 🛍️
Practical picks that support sensory stimulation and tummy time — all from stores that ship to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf:
- Baby play mat — a safe padded surface for tummy time and floor play.
- Wrist rattles & foot finders — help baby discover their hands, feet, and the sounds they make.
- Moon musical swing — to soothe them while awake and supervised (not for sleep).
- Kinderkraft bouncer — a gentle seat for a short sit while you're close by.
- HelloBaby video monitor — to watch them on video while you're in another room.
💛 Use code Life9 at Mumzworld for an extra discount — all my updated codes are on the discount codes page.
FAQ
My baby hates tummy time and cries — what do I do?
Normal at first. Start with very short sessions (a minute), on your chest while you recline instead of the floor, or place a toy/mirror in front. Build up gradually — most babies get used to it.
When is a smile "real" and not just gas?
The social smile usually appears between weeks six and eight and is a direct response to you (a look + your voice), unlike the random early sleep smiles.
Do black-and-white contrast toys really matter?
Yes, at this stage specifically; baby's vision is still developing and high contrast is easier for them than colour. A black/white book or mat is a great choice.
My baby doesn't do what my friend's baby does at the same age — should I worry?
Individual differences are very normal at this stage. Focus on your baby's steady progress, not comparison. If you have a genuine concern or several signs are missing, ask your doctor.
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⚕️ Note: This content is educational only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Every child is different — if you have any concern about your baby's development, see your pediatrician.
Next in the series: When do babies start to sit? The signs before the age (coming soon 💚)
