3 Month Old Baby Development: Your Little Noise-Maker

"Excuse me, is this mic on?" Your baby is discovering that not only can he make different sounds (sure there's "oooh," but there's also "eeeh!"), but he can turn up the volume as well. (He must get that from his father.) And don't think that he doesn't notice that he gets a different reaction when his voice grows louder. Or that he won't use that to his advantage ... for the rest of his life.
What You're Thinking: "Watch out Simon Cowell, my baby's gonna rock American Idol in 15 years!"

• Your little one will be learning to open and close her hands around this time. (Practice for when he's old enough to start asking you for cash four times a week?)
• Let baby grasp a rattle or one of his other crazy noise-making toys and go to town. If the neighbors complain about the ruckus, just tell them it's 'developmental'.
• Give baby different things to hold in his hand, then help him open his hands to let them go. Keep a "busy box" of different objects with different textures around so he can experience soft (a plush toy), hard (a rattle), squishy (Mommy's boob), etc.

• You've officially said the word "binky" over half a million times (even though you swore you'd never say it ... or use it!).
• You're able to tell the difference between your baby's "I'm tired" cry and his "I'm hungry" cry. (OK, you can't. But you are getting better at responding to the cries, even if you don't know what the heck they mean.)
• You're entertaining the idea of a date night with your partner while your parents or in-laws watch your baby.
• You're thinking that "date night" might just involve sleep, sleep and more sleep. (And maybe just a little shopping.)

Remember date nights? Those things you used to do with that person you made a baby with? Let's reintroduce those, shall we? A quiet dinner ... that you eat with two hands. A good movie ... that you watch without having one boob exposed for breastfeeding. A cultural event ... that doesn't involve talking animals or cars. Go ahead! Be daring! You and your partner will be glad you did. Read more ...

• Can you recommend the best toys to encourage healthy development in my 3-month-old?
• My 3-month-old baby's legs curve inward. Should I worry, or will they straighten out?
• Can I use sunscreen on my baby?

Do It: Buoyant Baby
Give baby a thrill as you give your shoulders a workout.
Buy It: Go Natural Nail Polish
Indulge in a nontoxic mani-pedi you won't have to worry about baby gnawing on.
Share It: The Most Important Job in the World
Feel like you don't get proper props for being a mommy? You're not alone!
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.

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All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.