Baby Physical Development in 3-Week-Olds
Your baby may be keeping hours like a security guard on the nightshift, but this will change in the coming weeks. Gradually she'll start sleeping through the night. Maybe not quite the 12 hours straight you're dreaming of, but at least long enough for you to finish that great dream that keeps getting interrupted.
What You're Thinking: "OK, this sleep-deprivation thing is getting a little crazy. I'm officially hallucinating about down comforters, 300-thread-count sheets and adjustable beds."
Baby Milestones
- You and baby are head over heels for each other. She knows your face, your smell, your voice, your touch ... Infants prefer their parents over any other adults, and yours loves to gaze into your eyes. Isn't it great to have such a dedicated admirer? Hold her close and pay attention to her during feedings and playing. Just remember that you need to be within a foot of her for her to actually see you!
- By now, you're getting used to this little one—and she's not so fragile to you anymore. You're ready to play, aren't you? Great! Pick her up and test out the stepping reflex. "Walk" your baby along the changing table and watch her put one foot in front of the other. (And don't worry if Grandma yells at you ... playing this little game won't make your baby bowlegged!)
- By now the only non-cute part of your baby, her shriveled, brown umbilical cord, has probably fallen off. If it hasn't, it will soon be gone. If it is gone, it's splish-splash time! Fill up a baby bath with a few inches of water, grab the camera and give baby her first bath.
- Your baby is making lots of little noises now—coos and aahs and all those tender little baby sounds that make parents melt. Encourage this early language development by talking back to her, singing songs and playing with her while she's alert. She can't understand what you're saying yet, so it's totally fine to discuss yesterday's Real Housewives rerun.
Mommy Milestones
- You sent out at least some version of a baby announcement. (And an email with a pic totally counts!) If you actually bought paper announcements and addressed them, we bow at your uber-organized feet!
- You went out to the drugstore all by yourself and remembered what it's like to not have a stroller attached to your hands.
- You let a friend watch your baby as you napped for a millisecond.
- You wrote three thank-you notes ... only 50 to go!
- You updated Facebook with 50 (nearly identical) pictures of your gorgeous kid, and your best friend from seventh grade, who you just reconnected with, commented, "SO CUTE!!!!" (And, let's face it, she's totally right.)
- If you decided to breastfeed, you and your Mini are getting the whole "latching on" thing down by now and have settled on your favorite of the nursing positions.
Home Front
If you haven't taken care of it already, now's the time to get your adorable new tax deduction a Social Security number. But don't worry, it's way easier than filling out those crazy tax forms. Read more ...
Everything you ever wanted to know ... and were just about to ask ...
- How can I tell if my baby is getting enough breast milk?
- Should I worry that my newborn seems to twitch, jerk and shake a lot?
- My colicky newborn cries constantly. What should I do?
- What safety precautions should we take if we decide to co-sleep with our baby?
- My newborn tends to cross his eyes. Is this normal?
Do it:
Baby Body Brag Book
Go ahead, show off those tiny toes, chubby thighs and gorgeous face.
Buy It: The Shower Hug
Good news for your sensitive boobs!
Share It: No Apologies for My Lactivism
One breastfeeding Mama explores how she became a lactivist.
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Newborn Development: Week 2 / NEXT: Newborn Development: Week 4
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.
report abuseGo ahead, show off those tiny toes, chubby thighs and gorgeous face.
Buy It: The Shower Hug
Good news for your sensitive boobs!
Share It: No Apologies for My Lactivism
One breastfeeding Mama explores how she became a lactivist.
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Newborn Development: Week 2 / NEXT: Newborn Development: Week 4
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.
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