Congrats to making it to 3 months!! Around this time, it starts to feel like your baby is really waking up to the world. Wake windows get a little longer, they’re more alert, and you suddenly have more time for interactive play instead of just feeding, changing, and getting them back down for a nap.

Coming into the three month milestone as a second time mom, I found myself looking back at pictures of my first because I was curious how similar baby #2 looked at this stage, if at all. Not only do they look so similar, but I also had a bit of a moment…

With my first, I had already taken his arms out of the swaddle at night because he was starting to show signs of rolling, and I had toys in his hands working on grasping.

With baby #2, neither of those things were happening.

And I suddenly felt behind the ball. Which feels dramatic, but also very real if you know the mom guilt.

Those things just hadn’t been top of mind because I was juggling 2 under 2 and honestly just trying to survive most days. My brain felt like actual mush between keeping my toddler happy, meeting the baby's basic needs, trying to give my toddler attention after that, and making sure he didn’t accidentally take the baby out while I tried to do something simple like pee, eat, or blow my freakin nose.

I realized I needed reminders because everything in my head I was meaning to do kept getting pushed out by everyday mom life.

So I started a running list in my phone and turned it into little “cards” to help me be more intentional with baby #2, to give him his own moments of movement, connection, and play instead of just falling into whatever rhythm big brother was on.

Nothing here is complicated. These are just simple, realistic activities you can sprinkle into your day to support your baby’s development without overthinking it.

Maybe you’re in the same stage as me, 2 under 2 and surviving most days. Maybe you’re a first time mom wondering what you’re supposed to be doing. Or maybe you have an older kid and the newborn stage somehow feels brand new again.

Wherever you’re at, welcome! I hope this feels doable, helpful, and encouraging in the middle of it all.

Download the Cards!

Check-Out 3 Month Materials

1. Assisted Sit-Ups

Assisted sit-ups are a fun way to practice head control and get some core work in.

Lay baby on a soft surface, hold onto their wrists or lower arms, and slowly pull them up toward sitting. Keep an eye on their head. If it starts to lag, switch to holding under their arms and give a little extra support behind their head.

Then gently lower them back down and do it a few more times. I usually just chat with baby, smile, and make it playful while we’re doing it.

Why it matters: This activity helps build early core strength and supports head and neck control needed for rolling and sitting.

2. Cross Midline

Lay baby on their back and gently bring their right hand over to their left foot, then switch and do left hand to right foot. Go back and forth slowly and keep it playful.

This is great for helping baby learn to cross their midline (moving one side of their body over to the other), which supports brain coordination, body awareness, and overall movement. It also helps build the foundation for things like rolling, crawling, and even later skills like writing and coordination.

Why it matters: Crossing midline supports brain coordination, body awareness, and builds the foundation for skills like rolling, crawling, and later tasks like writing.

3. Rock n Roll

I love this one! It always gets giggles from my baby. While baby is laying on their back, hold their right hand and right foot in one hand, and their left hand and left foot in the other, then gently rock baby side to side.

This is great for helping baby get used to that side to side movement. It can also be really calming and so I move into it if baby is getting slightly fussier with midline crosses, sit ups, or tummy time. The gentle rocking supports the nervous system and can also help with gas or digestion.

Why it matters: This movement helps your baby get used to side-to-side motion, supports their nervous system, and can be calming while also helping with digestion and gas.

4. Assisted Rolls

Lay baby on their back and use a toy or your voice to get their attention. Bend one knee and bring it across their body to help start the rolling motion. From there, add a little support at their hip or thigh, but let them do as much of the work as they can.

If their arm gets stuck underneath them, gently help move it out so they can finish the roll. Have a toy ready to keep their attention once they are propped up on their arms! Make sure to practice going both ways.

Why it matters: This activity helps your baby learn the mechanics of rolling, builds strength through the core and hips, and encourages coordination between the upper and lower body.

5. Tummy Time

Tummy time counts in all the spots. On the mat, in the carrier or on your knees!

For the knee variation, bend your knees into a mountain pose, lay your baby on their tummy across your legs, with their head closer to your knees and their arms resting on your legs. I usually keep my arms on either side of baby to help their balance and so they feel snuggled. I like to face the mirror so baby can still see me or you can hold a toy out front.

The slight incline of your knees makes it easier for baby. If your baby is having a hard time, bring your knees up a bit higher to give more of a tilt. As they get bigger, you can lay a pillow across your shins to give a little more length and space.

Why it matters: Tummy time helps build strength in the neck, shoulders, and upper body, which is essential for head control, rolling, crawling, and overall motor development.

6. Crinkle Books

Crinkle books stimulate the use of so many senses (hearing, sight, touch) and are an easy way to start building early language skills. Babies who are read to regularly hear thousands more words than those who aren’t, which supports stronger vocabulary and language development as they grow.

The crinkle sound grabs baby’s attention, so move it side to side to help baby practice tracking. They’re also really easy and fun for them to grasp, so they can start exploring texture and holding onto something on their own.

Why it matters: Crinkle books support sensory development, visual tracking, and early language exposure, helping build the foundation for attention, communication, and later reading skills.

7. Contrast Cards

Have a variety of high-contrast cards (around 3 months you can start introducing red and other bold colors too). Ideas:

• Slowly move the card from side to side to catch baby’s attention. Once they’re following it, you can switch it up and try moving it up and down, in small slow circles, or even diagonally.
• Try a little peek-a-boo by hiding your face behind the card and popping out with expressive, happy faces to get some giggles.
• Prop cards up during tummy time or side-lying play.

Attach a contrast toy to baby’s car seat bar for an easy, on-the-go option.

Let your baby lead the way, don’t move between cards too fast. Once they start to look away, that’s your cue to switch it out or take a break.

Why it matters: High-contrast visuals support early visual development, help strengthen tracking skills, and encourage focus and attention as your baby learns to take in the world around them.

8. Blowing Raspberries

Usually baby initiates blowing raspberries, when they start doing it, mirror the action back to them. It kind of turns into your own little “conversation,” and baby loves it when you respond.

This is great for early communication and bonding. Baby is learning cause and effect, along with turn taking.

It also helps baby start figuring out how to use his lips, tongue, and mouth.

Why it matters: Blowing raspberries supports early communication, teaches turn-taking and cause and effect, and helps your baby develop the oral motor skills needed for speech.

9. Singing

I’m known to sing song my way through the day with baby and you should try it. Prop baby up on a boppy for tummy time and sing about whatever you’re doing— folding laundry, cleaning up, grabbing a snack. Sing to baby while you move their arms or play, just making up little songs as you go.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy at all. It’s more about hearing your voice, the rhythm, and the interaction. It’s great for language development, connection, and keeping baby engaged during everyday moments. You’re pretty much guaranteed plenty of smiles and plenty of “what am I even saying” thoughts to yourself.

Why it matters: Singing exposes your baby to rhythm, tone, and language patterns, which supports early language development while also strengthening connection and engagement during everyday interactions.

10. Rainbow Rags on the Wooden Play Gym

Tie colorful rags, silks or scarves onto a wooden play gym bar so they hang down within baby’s reach. My little one loves to lay underneath and stare at them, and then start swatting at them as they move.

The movement and colors grab baby’s attention, and it’s great for practicing visual tracking and reaching. It helps with hand-eye coordination too. You can also hang contrast toys or toys like Captain Calamari, which has a surprise mirror on the underside they can see themselves in!

Why it matters: This setup encourages visual tracking, reaching, and hand-eye coordination while also supporting early sensory exploration and body awareness.

11. Bouncer Kicks

This is my go to when baby has a little extra energy to burn. I swear my baby gets excited when he sees me move the activity bar down below his feet.

Start by putting baby in the bouncer, move the activity bar down below their feet so they can “dance” and kick at the hanging toys. It turns into a whole little party.

All that kicking is great for building leg strength and coordination, and baby also starts to realize that their movements make things happen (which is so fun to watch).

Why it matters: This activity builds leg strength and coordination while helping your baby understand cause and effect as they begin to connect their movements with what happens around them.

12. Piano Play Gym

Need your hands for a minute? This one is perfect for those quick tasks where it’s just easier to be hands free, like leaning deep into that top loader to move clothes to the dryer.

Lay baby under an activity mat with toys hanging above them to look at and swat, add a little piano at their feet so they can kick and make music.

Kicking helps build lower-body strength and is a fun way for baby to start discovering their feet. It’s also great for coordination and early cause and effect learning.

Why it matters: This activity supports lower-body strength, coordination, and helps your baby begin to understand cause and effect as they connect their movements with sounds and interaction.