Baby Care Encyclopedia

Three- to six-month-olds still have to nap off and on throughout the day, although the timing and length of the naps varies from baby to baby. After breakfast, many babies enjoy an active play period, followed by a calmer period of gazing around from the infant seat or a brightly colored blanket (perhaps the kind with toys attached) on the floor. Calm babies may simply drift off to sleep wherever they are when the time comes, particularly if you've had the foresight to put them in reasonably quiet, unstimulating surroundings. More high-strung babies may need to be held, rocked, and possibly given a bottle of plain water or a pacifier before they can wind down for a nap. If you're out and about in the morning, your baby may well fall asleep in the car. Some babies sleep right through a transfer from car seat to crib, but others will startle and waken as soon as you jostle them, then remain wakeful but fussy perhaps extremely so. Parents whose babies wake easily may therefore want to ...

Three-month-olds commonly have calm, wakeful periods of up to 45 minutes, and by six months of age, many babies stay awake for stretches of two or three hours. As babies spend more time awake, the opportunities for interaction with parents, sib­lings, and caregivers increase dramatically. These periods of playful give-and-take can be a source of endless fun for everyone involved. They are also vital to the baby's physical, mental, social, and emotional development. Babies are fascinated with objects that move and make noises, and they love to touch, grasp, shake, and pull whatever they can. They are also fascinated with people and enjoy watching their gestures and facial expressions. Here are a few examples of games that will delight your baby and stimulate her development: •  Hold a toy so that the baby can reach for and grasp it. Start by holding the toy close to the baby's chest and directly in front of her eyes. As early as three months of age, the baby will bat at the toy...