Child development (2) - three to six months

Child Development (2) – Three to Six Months in Grand Rapids, Michigan

From about three months, many Grand Rapids parents find life with their baby becomes more enjoyable and predictable. By this stage, your baby has usually moved past many of the “settling in” challenges of the newborn period and is becoming a more social, responsive little person.

During these months, you’re likely learning your baby’s cues, and your baby is learning that you are the person (or one of the people) who regularly meets their needs. They don’t yet understand that you are a separate person; it can still feel to them like everything is happening within their own little world.

Babies between three and six months can become overstimulated easily—especially during busy Michigan family gatherings, trips to local Grand Rapids festivals, or long days out in changing weather—so it’s important to watch for signs of “too much” and help them calm down when needed.

Your Baby at 3–6 Months: What to Expect

Growing Awareness of Their World

Around this age, your baby becomes more:

Interested in their surroundings and activities
Social and responsive to faces, voices, and touch
Curious about what’s happening around them, whether at home or out in Grand Rapids parks or along the Grand River

They are starting to gain more control over their body and movements, which is a key part of healthy child development.

Physical Development and Motor Skills

Tummy Time and Early Movement

Spending time on their tummy on a safe floor surface is very important. In Grand Rapids homes—often with carpeted floors in winter—this can be done on a blanket or play mat.

Tummy time helps your baby:

Strengthen neck, shoulder, and back muscles
Prepare for rolling, sitting, and eventually crawling

By around 4–6 months, many babies:

Roll over from front to back
Lift their head and chest when on their tummy (often by about 4 months)
Wave their legs and arms while on their tummy, showing growing strength and excitement

Hand and Finger Skills

Between 3 and 6 months, you’ll usually see your baby:

Playing with their fingers from about 3–4 months
Holding objects briefly, such as a rattle or soft toy
Bringing toys and objects to their mouth using their hands
Toppling over if placed in a sitting position (this is normal at this stage)

Always supervise your baby closely and make sure small objects that could be a choking hazard are out of reach.

Hearing, Looking, and Exploring

Your baby’s senses are becoming more organized and focused. In a typical Grand Rapids home, they’re learning to recognize familiar sounds like your voice, the TV, pets, and even the furnace kicking on in winter.

Many babies at this age:

Recognize voices and turn their head toward familiar sounds
Watch faces closely and follow objects with their eyes
Look from one object to another and focus on small, nearby items

Exploration is a big part of child development. Give your baby time and a calm environment to look at objects, track movement, and rest when they seem tired or overstimulated.

Speech, Language, and Early “Conversations”

By three to six months, your baby is starting to experiment with sound. They may:

Coo and gurgle with pleasure
Babble with different sounds
Listen and pause when you speak
Show interest in how your mouth moves and how sounds come out

Why Conversations Matter

Interacting with your baby helps build their brain and supports speech and language development. In these early months, “conversation” means:

When your baby makes a sound, repeat it back so they recognize it
Show your tongue and mouth movements while you talk
Practise simple sounds together, like “ma,” “da,” or “ba”

Your baby may:

Turn their head toward sounds
Squeal, laugh, or make excited noises when you talk or sing

Between three and six months, many babies:

Enjoy eye contact and “chats” with you
Smile often in response to familiar faces
Laugh out loud and squeal with delight
Kick their legs and wave their arms when they’re happy
Show they enjoy being around people, including family and close friends

These social responses are important parts of healthy emotional development and bonding.

Suggested Activities to Support Development

You don’t need special equipment to support your baby’s development in Grand Rapids—simple, everyday interactions are best.

Talk and Listen

Talk to your baby throughout the day
- Describe what you’re doing: “I’m warming your bottle,” “We’re getting you dressed for a walk in the cold Michigan air,” etc.
- Point out different sounds: “That’s the dishwasher,” “That’s the dog barking,” “That’s the snowplow outside.”

Playful Touch and Movement

Blow raspberries on their belly to encourage laughter and body awareness
Sing to them—nursery rhymes, simple songs, or even your favorite music
Gently move their arms and legs during playtime, especially when they’re on their back or tummy

Floor Time and Tummy Time

Place your baby:

On the floor in a safe area, on their tummy, for short, supervised play sessions
Sometimes without a diaper (in a warm room and on a washable mat or towel) to give them more freedom to kick and move

Provide:

Bright, high-contrast objects within reach so they can accidentally touch them, then gradually try to reach on purpose
Colorful toys nearby so they can look, touch, and try to hit or grab them
Variety by changing what they’re looking at or moving them to a different spot in the room

In Grand Rapids, indoor play is especially important during the long, cold winters when outdoor time may be limited. In milder seasons, you can also give them visual variety by sitting near a window so they can watch trees, birds, and changing weather.

Seasonal Considerations in Grand Rapids, MI

Michigan’s climate, especially in the Grand Rapids area, can affect how you care for your baby:

Cold winters and lake-effect snow:
- Dress your baby in layers when going outside.
- Limit time outdoors during very cold, windy, or icy conditions.
- Ensure indoor spaces are warm but not overheated, and use a humidifier if the air is very dry.
Warmer months:
- Use a hat and shade to protect your baby from the sun.
- Avoid overheating in strollers or cars.

These seasonal factors don’t change the milestones themselves, but they can influence where and how you do tummy time, play, and outings.

Every Baby Develops at Their Own Pace

All children are different and develop at different rates. Your baby may not do every single thing listed here at the exact age mentioned. They may be:

Focusing on a different area of learning (for example, social smiles more than rolling)
Taking a little longer with some skills and moving faster with others

This is usually normal. What matters most is that your baby is generally progressing over time.

When to Seek Professional Advice

If your baby seems very different from other babies their age, or if you’re worried about their development—or it seems to go backwards—it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional.

Signs That May Suggest a Developmental Concern

Talk with your baby’s doctor or a child health professional in Grand Rapids if you notice:

No vocalizing at all (no cooing, gurgling, or babbling) by around 4–6 months
Very floppy or very stiff muscles (muscle tone or power unusually low or high)
Fingers not extending spontaneously (hands often tightly fisted)
Little or no eye contact or not following objects with their eyes
No response to sounds or voices

These signs don’t automatically mean something is wrong, but they are reasons to get a professional evaluation.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Child Development Support

If you have concerns about your baby’s development between three and six months, or you just want guidance:

Your pediatrician or family doctor
- Many Grand Rapids families receive care through:
  - Spectrum Health / Corewell Health
  - Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  - Metro Health
  - Mercy Health
- Ask about regular well-baby visits and developmental screenings.
Kent County Health Department
- Offers public health services, information on early childhood development, and connections to local programs.
Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
- Can provide referrals to early intervention, parenting support, and developmental assessments.

Early support can make a big difference, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure. Trust your instincts—you know your baby best.

By understanding typical child development between three and six months and using local Grand Rapids resources when needed, you can support your baby’s growth, bonding, and wellbeing during this exciting stage.