Your baby

By three months your baby may have lost the reflex grasp entirely and be reaching for objects. Now your baby discovers his hands - and his mouth. Anything he grabs is likely to end up there, so watch out what’s within reach!

You may also notice your baby watching your face and copying your mannerisms when you speak. Your baby will also be much more responsive to sights and sounds, turning his head and twisting his body to look at things or follow noises.

Your baby will gain a greater understanding of objects, seeing that toys move when swiped and following them with his eyes as toys pass from one fist to the other. However he will forget about them if they fall out of sight

Your baby's babbling will gradually become more deliberate, including both vowel and consonants. This spontaneous cooing and gurgling gradually turns into continuous streams of baby-talk that can last for up to 15 minutes. By four months, your baby may even laugh out loud.

Your progress

Oh those sleepless nights may be starting to haunt you! If you’ve not had a full night’s sleep since way before baby was born, you’re likely to be feeling that you’ll never sleep soundly again. However, it’s amazing how you can adapt to life with a new baby.

Though you may be feeling tired and irritable, (even quite hazy with sleep deprivation), you’ll also probably be finely tuned to your baby’s needs by now – and alert to every cry. But try not to become over anxious and responsive to every whimper.

If you’re struggling to establish a sleep routine with your baby, try to stay calm and reassuring, without becoming obviously stressed as your baby is finely tuned to your moods too! Remember, getting your baby to sleep through the night isn't a measure of your parental skills. It's simply a goal you're working toward.

In the mean time, get as much rest as you can. It might be a cliché – and a dim and distant memory if you have an energetic toddler tearing round the house – but it’s so important to look after your own needs too. So ask your partner or friend for a couple of hours’ break and enjoy a snooze on the sofa, a long bath or a relaxing massage.

Things to think about or try

Your baby is becoming ever more interested in toys, but you needn’t spend a fortune on flashy gizmos or make your home look plastic fantastic. Babies love repetition, like shaking a rattle or looking at a book again and again. But they also have a short attention span, so give your baby one toy at a time.

Babies of this age enjoy small soft toys, especially ones with different textures or that make noises. As you’ve probably noticed, everything goes into your baby’s mouth as this is one of the ways they learn about shapes and textures. Therefore the best toys are lightweight, easy to grasp and safe to chew.

Board books and activity centres are ideal for babies of this age – the brighter the better. But if your baby begins to cry, fall asleep or turn their head away, he may be tired out. Whenever you can, make time to play with your baby in a relaxed way. Not only is it more fun for your baby but it’s also the best way for him to learn.