Baby development
Baby development at 1–3 months
Somewhere around six weeks most babies give the first real smile — at you, not in their sleep. Soon after come cooing sounds, and the baby starts to “answer” when you talk and pause.
The neck gets stronger: lying on the tummy, the baby lifts the head and later leans on the forearms. Hands open more often and find their way to the mouth.
Play
Face-to-face talk with pauses, copying the baby’s sounds, high-contrast pictures, tummy time on your chest.
Sleep
Some babies begin to sleep a longer stretch at night. Evening crying that peaks around six weeks is common and usually eases by three to four months.
Senses
The baby follows a face or a toy with the eyes and turns towards sounds.
Talk to a doctor if
by 2–3 months the baby does not smile at people, does not follow moving things with the eyes, or does not react to loud sounds.
This is general information about typical development, not medical advice. Every child develops at their own pace. If something worries you, talk to your paediatrician.
Week by week in the Oror guide
In the app, the right card opens by itself every week, and you can tick what you have tried.
- Week 12
Big smiles
Your baby smiles back at familiar faces. Talk face to face and pause so they can “answer”.
Try this
- Talk face to face, then pause and wait
- Copy your baby’s sounds back to them
- Show a mirror and smile together
- Week 5
The art of soothing
Crying is your baby’s language. Ways to soothe differ — try a few and see what works for your baby.
Try this
- Make a soft “shhh” sound near their ear
- Rock in a slow, steady rhythm
- Walk around the room holding them
You may notice
- Calms to your voice
- Brings a hand to the mouth
Good to know
- Swaddling can help, but stop once they start trying to roll
- Sleepy signs: rubbing eyes, yawning, a faraway look
Talk to a doctor if
- A very high-pitched or unusual cry that goes on for hours
- Week 6
The first smile
Around now many babies smile back for the first time. Smile at your baby — they learn from you.
Try this
- Smile and wait for their smile
- Copy the sounds they make
- Show a toy and move it slowly
You may notice
- Smiles when you talk to them
- Looks at you when you come near
Good to know
- Crying often peaks around these weeks — it will pass
- Talk to your doctor about the 2-month visit and vaccines
Talk to a doctor if
- Doesn’t look at faces
- Eyes always turn to one side
- Week 7
First “conversations”
Your baby starts to coo. Answer as if it’s a real conversation — this is how talking begins.
Try this
- Answer their sounds, then wait
- Read aloud — any book will do
- Sing a lullaby
You may notice
- Makes sounds like “ah” and “goo”
- Turns towards sounds
Good to know
- Tell them what you’re doing through the day
- Put the phone and TV aside while you chat
Talk to a doctor if
- Doesn’t respond to sounds
- Week 8
Two months old
Time for the doctor’s visit and vaccines, following your country’s schedule. Your baby holds their head more steadily.
Try this
- Tummy time — put a toy in front of them
- Sit them on your lap, supporting the head, and talk
- Let them look in a mirror
You may notice
- Lifts head and chest on the tummy
- Smiles at you
Good to know
- After vaccines, cuddle a lot and feed as they like
- A mild fever after vaccines is common — ask your doctor
Talk to a doctor if
- Doesn’t lift the head on the tummy
- Doesn’t smile at people
- Week 9
What’s this? My hand!
Your baby gazes at their hands for a long time. It’s a big discovery: those hands are theirs.
Try this
- Put a light rattle in their hand
- Gently massage palms and fingers
- Hang a toy they can watch lying down
You may notice
- Watches their own hands
- Brings hands together
Good to know
- Switch the side their head rests on, so it doesn’t flatten
- Short walks are good for both of you
Talk to a doctor if
- Hands are always tight fists
- Week 10
Following with the eyes
Your baby can follow a moving object from side to side. Games get more interesting.
Try this
- Slowly move a bright toy from right to left
- Hide your face in your hands and reveal it: “peekaboo”
- Put on calm music and dance holding them
You may notice
- Follows an object from one side to the other
- Turns head towards a sound
Good to know
- Before sleep, the same order each night: bath, feed, song
- Keep lights soft at night and natural in the day
Talk to a doctor if
- Doesn’t follow moving things
- Week 11
Giggles on the way
Many babies soon start laughing out loud. They love repeated games and familiar faces.
Try this
- Gently tickle their feet
- Make funny sounds and wait for a reaction
- Look at family photos together
You may notice
- Smiles without being prompted
- Makes sounds when you talk
Good to know
- Don’t worry if there’s no laughing yet — every baby has their own pace
- Grandparents can record a story in their own voice in Oror
Talk to a doctor if
- Doesn’t respond to your smile or voice
- Week 13
Three months old
On the tummy your baby pushes up on their forearms and looks around. They “talk” and laugh more.
Try this
- In tummy time, hold a toy a little higher so they look up
- Sing a finger-play song
- Let them touch different textures: soft, bumpy
You may notice
- Pushes up on forearms on the tummy
- Holds head steady when you hold them
Good to know
- Keep small objects away — soon everything goes in the mouth
- Never leave them alone on a raised surface: they can roll suddenly
Talk to a doctor if
- Still can’t hold the head up when held upright