Development

Babies learn new skills at different ages. Babies learn by looking, listening, touching, smelling and tasting.

Between 3 and 4 months you can expect your baby to start to:

• reach out for toys
• bring their hands together
• hold their hands open
• watch their hands
• hold on to toys for short periods and take them to their mouth
• lift their head up higher for a few moments when lying on their tummy on the floor
• make different sounds — cooing and laughing
• recognise familiar faces
• become more social.

Clothing

When choosing clothes for your baby look for clothes check:

• they are made from natural fibres like cotton and wool to help keep your baby's body temperature even
• they are easy to put on and take off
• booties, socks and leggings have plenty of room, as babies' feet grow quickly
• they look comfortable and have enough room for your baby to grow
• there are no cords or neck ties, as these can strangle babies
• they are snug (close) fitting.

Eyesight / Te kitenga

Your baby will now be able to focus on and follow people and objects in the room with their eyes.

By 3 months most babies will:

• close their eyes against a bright light
• turn towards light
• smile at you without being touched or spoken to
• stare at people’s faces when they are close.

If your baby has a lazy eye/squint (the eye turns in or out), does not look at your face, or does not turn to look at bright objects, talk to your Plunket nurse, other well child health provider or doctor.

By 6 months you will notice your baby:

• follow slowly moving, brightly coloured objects with their eyes
• reach out for toys and objects, hold them firmly and look closely at them.

Hearing / Te rongo

You may notice your baby:

• listens to your voice and other sounds
• tries to communicate by making talking sounds
• stops moving and listen to new sounds
• wakes or stirs to loud sounds
• blinks or cries when there is a sudden noise.

Talk to your Plunket nurse, other well child health provider or doctor if you have any concerns about your child's growth, eyesight or hearing.

Language / Te reo

By 3 months your baby is making cooing sounds. Your baby may enjoy listening to sounds, voices and their own cooing. You will notice cooing sounds change to babbling. Between 4 months and 1 year, your baby will try making many different sounds. At 4–5 months they may start to laugh and squeal.

Talking to them about what you are doing, naming things and talking about what they are doing helps them learn about their world and learn to speak.

Talk to your Plunket nurse, other well child health provider or doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s growth, eyesight or hearing.