0–3MONTHS
Milestones

By 3 months, baby should reach the following milestones:

•  While lying on tummy, pushes up on arms
•  While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up
•  Able to move fists from closed to open
•  Able to bring hands to mouth
•  Moves legs and arms off of surface when excited
•  Baby responds to sound by stopping sucking, turning or blinking
•  Watches faces intently
•  Begins to babble from around this stage
•  Becomes more communicative and expressive with face and body by the 3 month mark

Exercises and stimulation at this stage

To help baby reach some of these milestones doing tummy time helps strengthen baby’s middle core and improves baby’s motor skills. It also strengthens neck and shoulder muscles which in turn helps when baby starts sitting up, crawling and eventually walking.

Stimulation should start from this stage by singing and talking to baby gently (and even reading for baby!), kissing baby, smiling at baby, massaging baby, holding baby more as opposed to putting them in a cot or carrier for longer. This boosts their attention, helps with bonding and teaches them to seek stimulation. It is important to provide ways for baby to see, hear, feel and move as early as possible.

There is a danger to over stimulate or under stimulate a baby at this age but everything in moderation is key and every baby is different and as a parent you follow the cues from your baby.

Developmental delays & warning signs

• Baby doesn’t respond to loud sounds 
• Doesn’t push down with her legs when feet are placed on a flat surface (at least by the 4 month)
•  Doesn’t pay attention to new faces or surroundings
•  Still has tonic neck reflex
•  Doesn’t bring objects to her mouth
•  Cannot support her head
•  Doesn’t smile at people
•  Doesn’t smile at the sound of your voice
•  Doesn’t follow moving objects
•  Doesn’t notice own hands
•  Cross eyed most of the timeIf by the fourth month baby has not reached the milestones it is important to consult with a health care provider. Certain exceptions have to be considered for example if baby was born preterm, if baby has some of the milestones (remember each baby is different and move at their own pace). These warning signs or delays can be signs of an underlying developmental disorder or a medical problem and early detection and intervention is key.

AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES

In most African cultures we carry our babies on our backs even from this age (1-3months); it is a great way to soothe baby, get them to sleep and carry them around whilst working or travelling. However if over done it can lead to under stimulation, delay in motor skills and other developmental milestones.Holding the baby more at this stage is very important as opposed to keeping baby in the cot or carrier or car seat.The good old singing and story-telling which forms part of most cultures across the African continent is stimulatory and should be incorporated from this stage. This helps with language acquisition at a later stage and pro-social behavior amongst other positives.Due to socio-economic constraints, lack of information and resources in most African communities the warning signs at this stage goes unnoticed and there is mostly the belief that baby will grow out of it with time.Without down playing the African world view, the tendency to attribute developmental delays and warning signs to witchcraft and looking at traditional healers forsolutions is very rife. It is important to seek medical attention early and a Pediatrician or a nurse at the baby clinic will be able to give better insight and advice.

Talent Adamson Behaviour TherapistBA

(Health and Social Services) Applied Psychology, BA Hon (HSS) Psychological Counselling – (UNISA)