Your newborn baby's development: 0-3 months

Congratulations – you did it! Your new baby is finally here! You may feel a little unsure about how to take care of them at first but remember, you know your baby better than anyone else so try to relax as much as you can and follow your instincts. We’ve got loads of helpful information to help you master the basics, including different breastfeeding positions you can try, tips on bathing your baby and advice about changing a nappy.

And it goes without saying, if you’ve got any questions at all, we’re here for you any time of the day or night.

Babies need lots of energy and nutrients - all from milk! Learn about your feeding choices and their changing appetite.

You will no doubt have discussed your feeding options with your midwife by the time your baby arrives. Your newborn baby will get all of their nutritional needs from milk whether you are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.

When breastfeeding, your newborn baby will need frequent feeds every two to three hours in the early days. This is because breastmilk is very easily digested and their stomachs are quite small. But don’t try to stick to a schedule yet, just feed your baby on demand. They’ll let you know how much they need! Generally, if your baby is feeding well, they will let go of your breast once they’re full. But if you’re worried about whether your baby is getting enough milk, try feeding them more regularly. It’s also worth holding them close to you; if they want to feed they’ll move towards your breasts.

As your baby grows they’ll probably take more milk but less often. At around 6 weeks of age, many babies go through a growth spurt which can mean a hungrier baby for a few days. The feeding schedule you had may go straight out the window! It is worth knowing that this may occur so you can just increase the frequency of the feed and then allow the pattern to settle back after a few days.

If you’re breastfeeding, the more you feed, the more milk you’ll produce, so don’t panic if your baby seems to be guzzling all the time; your body will adapt to cope with their demands.

At 2 months it’s important to keep up the night feeds, especially in the early weeks, as they are essential for your baby’s nutritional requirements and for maintaining your milk supply.

At this stage feeding problems are also common amongst babies, for example, colic occurs in 1 in 4 young babies. It is comforting to know that colicky babies do not have any lasting problems once the colic stops, but it can be very hard to listen to the long periods of crying every day. To discover some tips on soothing a colicky baby, take a look at our article on colic.

Your baby’s nutritional needs are changing as they grow so they will probably be feeding for longer now but might be taking less feeds per day. You should still be guided by your baby but by now a feeding pattern may be starting to show.

At 3 months old your baby may seem much hungrier but don’t be tempted to start weaning as it’s more than likely that they’re going through a growth spurt. It’s important not to confuse this with the real signs of weaning because their digestive system needs time to develop before you introduce solids, however puréed they are! Milk should still be supplying all their nutrients until about 6 months when they start weaning.

Lots of mums feel concerned about whether their baby is getting enough milk and if they’re still hungry after a feed. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how to tell, as there’s no hard and fast rule but generally, hungry babies tend to cry for a feed more often and will take more when you do offer them their milk.

Your newborn’s digestive system is still learning the ropes. With no teeth and only a tiny marble-sized stomach, your baby relies on breast milk or formula to get all the nutrients they need in small, frequent feeds. Their tummy is still developing, which is why spit-up and reflux are common in the early days. Inside, their gut is being colonised by friendly bacteria that help protect against illness and support healthy digestion. Breastfeeding helps build a strong gut microbiome, but whatever your feeding choice, every feed helps your baby grow, thrive, and feel comforted. Learn all about their digestion and some common feeding problems here.

Sights and sounds all contribute to your baby's early brain development. Good nutrition is important too. 

Although your baby might not be very responsive to outside stimulation (other than feeding and cuddles!) when newborn, by 3 months they’ll become more reactive. You’ll probably notice that loud noises will startle your baby or make them cry, but your familiar voice should quickly comfort them! As their brain develops they’ll start to become very curious about what’s going on around them, and use as many senses as they can to explore their world.

From the moment your little one arrives, their bones begin an incredible journey of growth and change. Born with around 300 soft, flexible bones, your baby’s skeleton is designed to support safe birth and rapid development. In the first three months, bone formation begins as cartilage starts to harden with essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, helping bones grow longer and stronger. This early stage of bone development lays the foundation for your baby’s movement, posture, and overall growth – so every cuddle, stretch, and wriggle is part of their amazing transformation.