Baby’s Developmental Leaps Leap 3 – Smooth Transitions
Leap number 3 is the moment when your baby begins to see the world in a more organized way.
Leap three happens in the third month. At this stage, the baby can already see objects clearly and should gradually try to follow them. He already tries (and many can already) move the eyes and head in the direction in which the object is moved. In this leap, the baby can also play with a rattle and hear the sound. He can also start crying louder than usual.
This leap brings a keener perception of how the world works to the baby. He notices the smooth transitions as the sun goes away and the environment gets darker. His arms and legs move more slowly, unlike in leap two, where he made faster, more repeated movements.
In leap number 3 that we call SOFT TRANSITIONS, the baby also emits softer sounds. His observations are of everyday situations that involve a mild, quiet transition, imperceptible to adults who are already accustomed to everyday life.
With these changes from leap 2 to 3, your baby will increasingly surprise you and want to practice new skills. However, just like in leap 2, the baby may have some changes in appetite, sleep and get angrier with these changes.
In addition to Leap 3 – smooth transitions – babies go through another 9 developmental leaps.
Let’s understand what Developmental Leaps are and how it is possible to help babies enjoy this phase in a quiet way.
What are developmental leaps?
For those who have a baby at home, it is easy to notice how much they change and develop very fast, isn’t it?
Babies seem to adapt very easily in the world outside the womb and suddenly when everything looked like roses, the cries and difficulties to sleep, eat, etc. return.
Some mood swings in babies are caused by their development process. It is very possible that the baby is going through what we call a developmental leap.
Developmental leaps are those moments when the baby is learning a new skill. These moments are accompanied by some behavioral stress in babies, which we can say is normal, since the baby may be anxious about a new discovery, or feel fear. We can say that all changes in life bring discomfort, fear and anxiety, and with the little ones is no different.
The behavior of babies facing a developmental leap may vary from one to another. Babies are interested in the things that go on around them, or in other words, in the sensations they feel with new discoveries, but each baby expresses it in its own way. There are babies who are fascinated by everything they see; other babies prefer to hear sounds. And there are those who like warmth and affection all day long. Each baby is unique and will act differently for each sensation.
However, we can simplify this process that babies experience and understand what is happening to the baby. Parents can help their child develop and also get through the developmental leaps in a calmer way. Just identify which leap your child is in presently and follow the tips we have for each phase of your baby.
Features of the Third Leap – Smooth Transitions
As we mentioned above, at this stage, babies begin to discover transitions in the world, such as day to night, control in speech, objects, eating times, at the time their body works to get hungry and pee and poo and also in how to control their hands and feet. But unlike leap 2, baby now realizes that things can be accomplished slowly, with control and with a change over time.
We will understand every step of this leap and how your baby expresses himself in this moment of new sensations and learning.
Smooth sounds
During leap three the baby already begins to notice the changes he can make in the sound of his voice. Unlike leap 2 he make repeated sounds, now he can already have control of his vocal chords and perceive that can it can lower and increase the sounds smoothly and slowly. This phase is very pleasurable for the baby, as it understands self control.
Smooth movements
At this stage, the baby becomes more active. He can follow an object with his gaze and turns his neck more smoothly. He observes more spontaneously and observes everything that happens around him, both in the looking and in the movement of his body, which becoms smoother, as if he already controlled them.
The baby’s vision
In leap three, the baby already can clearly visualize people in movement, more distant objects and already observes around him, being able to observe his entire room. He already accompanies people who come close and also who moves from close to far. His gaze is attentive to everything. This evolution in vision is also a smooth transition for your baby.
How To Help The Baby During the Third Leap – Smooth Transitions
We will then give some tips to help your baby to go through leap three in a more profitable way for their development and also more safely about the changes that the little one has been developing.
Tip 1: In the Stroller
Use the kart to walk with your little one. The Stroller is a great exercise for your baby to take advantage of the new observation skills. Their senses perceive the remains of trees and also the clouds when they cover the sun. He notes that as he walks the sounds become louder and sometimes weaker, according to the path. He watches the people and the distance they stay as the mother continues to walk with the cart.
Tip 2: The baby rocker
Babies love to be rocked, and since birth they relax and sleep. In this leap, use the baby swing, it is very good. With the smoother perception, your baby will observe the slower, more relaxing swing movement around him.
Tip 3: Game with lights
Use creativity to stimulate your baby’s perception. If you have a dimmer switch, use and abuse. Your baby will love to watch the lights go on and off again and again. These transitions from light to dark fascinate babies who are experiencing leap number 3.
Tip 4: Airplane fun
You know that way of taking the baby in the palm of your hand that fathers love to do and playing with the baby as if he were a plane? This play is delicious for babies who are in leap 3. The gentle movement of going up, down, turning around, along with the voice imitating airplane noise, are smooth transitions and your baby will love it. Don’t forget to do it safely!
How to deal with the changes and setbacks of each leap?
As we mentioned above, during each leap, the baby may have some not very pleasant changes in appetite, mood and have a few sleep setbacks.
It’s part of the process, isn’t it? Even we adults have certain difficulties dealing with the new and with changes. Imagine how it is for the little ones who know nothing of this world.
See below some tips that can alleviate the baby’s insecurity and irritability during these change phases and be able to take advantage of his development in a more relaxed way.
Tip 1 – In these change phases, babies like to feel safe. Even if the new discoveries are fun, they are afraid, and many babies may need more holding. In this way, he will feel the discomforts of this stage less.
Tip 2 – Babies feel safe when they listen to their mother’s heartbeat, this sound is familiar to them and brings warmth and safety, so you can use a kangaroo or sling to keep your baby closer and bring more warmth to it.
Tip 3 – Stimulate your baby’s abilities with every leap. That way he will develop with his support, will feel more relaxed with the changes and will have a lot of fun with the new discoveries.
Tip 4 – Be patient with the changes your baby faces. As difficult as it may be the beginning of a new leap, over time he will adapt and everything will pass.
What are the other developmental leaps and when do they happen?
Developmental leaps happen approximately at specific times. Of course each baby will have his own time, we cannot tell the exact moment, because each baby is unique, but we can analyze approximately by the age of the baby and also by its behavior, so it is important to observe the changes that his baby has presented, whether in the mood or also in the new things he has been doing.
In addition to number 3 leap we described above, there are 9 more leaps. Let’s understand below what they are and when they occur:
- 1st Leap – Discovering sensations: Leap one happens approximately in the 1st month. At that moment the baby is already discovering the sensations of his body and also what happens around him. The touch of the mom’s hands, sounds, and many other things.
- 2nd Leap – Understanding the patterns: Leap two happens approximately in the 2nd month. At this point, the baby is already discovering shapes with contrast and also has a firmer neck, so it can be placed face down to further stimulate his development. In this phase, the baby requires a little more security that he will seek in the mother and during breastfeeding.
- 3rd Leap – Improving his skills: Leap three takes place approximately in the 3rd month. At this stage, the baby can already see objects clearly and should gradually try to follow them. He already tries (and many already can) move his eyes and head in the direction in which the object is moved. In this phase, the baby can also play with a rattle and hear the sound. He may also begin to cry louder than before.
- 4th Leap – Recognizing sounds: Leap four happens approximately in the 4th month. At this stage the baby already begins to emit more acute sounds, and when the father and mother are not around he can make sounds for the purpose of calling to them. This phase can also bring more crying, but it is the phase that the baby begins to play alone more often.
- 5th Leap – Making relationships: Leap five happens approximately in the 5th month. At this stage, the baby begins to become more curious to know what happens to and with some things, such as throwing an object on the floor, pulling clothing on labels, earrings, etc. He will also show dissatisfaction when the parents are away from him. In this phase, the baby can get flustered, crying more. Holding and breastfeeding are great allies at this stage.
- 6th Leap – Starting to integrate: Leap six happens approximately in the 7th month. At this stage, the baby is already beginning to understand words and demonstrate that he understands some of them. In this phase, he also begins to clap and to want to crawl. He’s going to show more affection for his mother and want to be closer.
- 7th Leap – Curiosity about what is and what the things are for: Leap seven happens approximately in the 10th month. At this stage, the baby already begins to understand that objects have specific functions, and he tries to use it in the right way. For example, a ball is to be kicked, a spoon to eat, etc. At this stage, he also begins to demonstrate more of his will, to eat, not to sleep, to play, etc.
- 8th Leap – Playing with objects: Leap eight happens approximately in the 11th month. At this stage, your baby begins to use creativity. He also observes what adults do and tries to imitate them. This phase also brings some changes in sleep, and the baby can further express the desire not to sleep.
- 9th Leap – Desire for independence: The ninth leap happens approximately at fourteen months. At this stage, the baby already begins to want to dress alone, will also test emotions and start negotiating. This phase is also the time when he begins to not want to go with other people, only with his mother.
- 10th Leap – Control of his body: The tenth leap happens approximately in the first year and a half. At this stage, the baby already knows how to control his desires and also understands more clearly his parents’ will. However, expressing himself is still difficult. He may lose his appetite a little and also have nightmares at this stage.
Now that you’ve understood how developmental leap three works, take the opportunity to learn more about these other leaps we mentioned above. The more you understand how each leap works, the easier it will be for the baby and also for you to go through the changes in a calm, meaningful way. Every new step in the development that your baby takes is fun for him, and he has the desire to improve and train new skills. Just encourage and congratulate him so that he can move forward more and more.
