1st to 3rd month: Your baby’s movements

By the end of the second month of life, most babies can raise their head to a 45 degree angle while lying down. A daunting effort considering the size of the head compared to the rest of the body. So your child probably can’t keep their head up for very long. But you will see that it works a little better every day because your baby is constantly trying and practicing.

Your baby is kicking

Your child’s kicking was mostly reflex-controlled in the first few weeks. You can find more information on this in our article “Reflexes in your newborn” .. However, this fidgeting is at least partially coordinated from the first month. The movements become more and more targeted, the more the muscles in the legs develop and the better the interaction between the brain and muscles works. Your baby learns to stabilize his trunk and can defy gravity. Of course, this means that your baby can even change its position on its own at some point. Your baby slowly begins to lift his feet off the mat and his little feet can also touch each other. It tries different movements. For this reason, however, also make sure that it is sufficiently secured in situations such as changing diapers and cannot fall out or fall anywhere.

Newborns can already grab tight

While newborns still grip everything they can get their hands on indiscriminately, babies try to consciously grab things after a few weeks. The hands are no longer constantly clenched in fists, but open and stretch out more and more in the direction of distant objects that the baby finds interesting.

Your baby practices hand coordination

Your baby gets to know himself. He starts touching his body and brings his hands together in front of his body to touch his fingers. He will also begin to bring his hands to his mouth, which may later result in the well-known thumb-sucking.

The perfect “training place” for movements

Your baby can test his movements best when he has a suitable place to do so, such as a play mat. With the help of play trapezes, play arches or baby trainers, you can specifically promote his motor skills. You can find out how you can also encourage it in our article “ Encouraging the baby’s motor skills ”.

Studies have shown that babies develop fastest when carried upright, provided you support them properly. You can find tips on how best to carry your baby and which baby carriers are available to support you in our articles ” Baby carriers ” and ” Baby slings “. Which wearing style you prefer is a matter of taste. The best thing to do is try out several systems in a shop, with a friend or in a carrying course.

The further development of your baby

Curious what your baby will learn next? In our further articles you can get an overview and find a lot of information about age-appropriate development.

• 4th-6th Month: Your baby learns new movements
• 7th-9th Month: Your baby is becoming mobile
• 10th-12th Month: Your baby is learning to crawl and walk

Take a look at our “Learn to Crawl and Walk” section and benefit from our helpful background information and valuable tips. You can find out more about the developmental stage of your one to three month old baby here:

• Nutrition : This is how your baby gets full
• Communication: Your baby cries, squeaks and chuckles
• Sleep: Your baby’s day-night rhythm
• Senses: Your baby experiences new impressions
• Growth: Your baby’s growth and weight
• Growth spurt: Your baby’s 8 growth spurts