Baby Development: Your 3 Month, 2 Week Old

Is your baby rocking and rolling all the time now? Guess what that means? If it hasn’t happened already, your baby is getting ready to make one of his or her first big steps forward: rolling over without help.

Rolling over on their own is a major moment, along with lifting their heads. Look for the following signs that your baby is about to roll over:

Keeping his or head up for extended periods

Doing “push ups” during tummy time

Rocking his or her body back and forth

Kicking a leg or flinging an arm out to one side

In many cases, your baby’s first time rolling over will come as a shock —especially to your baby, who didn’t know such a thing was possible until it happened. It can even be an accident. Rest assured, though, once your baby figures it out, rolling over will be a regular feature.

The first time he or she rolls over will be from the back to the tummy, and it will be a while before they can roll back.

Rolling over will change a few things in your parenting. First, babies who are old enough to roll over should not be swaddled. This is because your baby can roll over, but can’t roll back just yet, or get his or her arms free, which creates the potential for suffocation.

This also means you need to be extra careful when you set your baby down on any surface, such as furniture, a changing table, or a sofa. Babies who can roll over can also roll off of things — you should never leave an unattended baby on a raised surface. Always keep a hand on your baby.

Finally, you might also start finding your baby sleeping on his or her tummy, despite your best efforts to put him or down on their back. There’s not much you can do about babies who roll over in their sleep, but you should continue putting them to sleep on their backs. Fortunately, the greatest risk for SIDS has already passed, but it’s better to be vigilant.

Babies and pet safety

Speaking of vigilance, here’s a piece of advice: as your baby’s mobility and coordination increase, keep a careful eye on interactions between your baby and your pets. As your baby reaches the 14-week milestone, he or she will be able to reach out for objects and items. Sometimes this can mean a pet’s tail or paw.

Even if this is your second, third, or fourth baby, your pet can react differently to each child. By being cautious during play, you can ensure your little one’s safety. Pet and baby safety tips include:

Taking your pet in for regular check-ups, especially for regular nail trims.

Avoid having your pet around the baby when you have company. Too many new visitors can make your dog jumpy and nervous, which could have unintended consequences.

Refrain from letting your baby and pet be on a couch together. Doing so can cause a dog or cat to feel larger than your baby, which can result in aggression.

With careful supervision, babies and pets can happily co-exist together (and may even become best friends).

If you’re concerned about regaining your pre-baby body, check out these tips from Bundoo Prenatal Nutritionist, Susan Zogheib.

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