Aoife is a Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist who has been working with Children for over 12 years. She set up her own private physiotherapy clinic over 12 months ago and since that time has gone from strength to strength. Her clinic - The Children’s Physio Ireland, is currently housed within The Compass Physio Clinic in Enfield, Co Meath. This specialist physiotherapy service provides physiotherapy appointments that are tailor-made for your child. Treating a huge age range including babies, children and young people of all ages. As a Mam of two, Aoife is passionate about all things baby and child development. In the below blog Aoife takes us through what to expect from our baby's development in the first three months of life.

First of all if you are reading this I wish you huge congratulations on the birth of your little one or on the upcoming arrival of your new bundle of joy!!!

If I’m honest folks, the birth of a new baby and all the adjustments that go with it are well…….interesting to say the least and most definitely a game changer on life as we previously knew it!!Quite often for new parents….or even second/third time rounders….we are not quite sure what to expect of our baby in those first few months so the thought around this blog is to give you a little insight as to what to expect from a physical point of view. It is also to give you some ideas of what to introduce with your little one in order to best prepare them for getting on the move in months to come.

What should I expect to see developing during this stage:

• smiles!
• fixing/focusing on faces or small objects
• being able to track that object to both right and left sides
• bringing their hands together
• bringing their hands to their mouths
• grasping small lightweight toys
• reaching out to bat toys when placed on tummy
• can lift head
• starts to prop on forearms when placed on tummy

What should I encourage during this stage:

• lots of positive feedback through touch, engagement and chatting/singing to your baby
• encourage tracking your face/object the whole way round to their left and right, making sure they have equal movement to both sides
• time spent in a variety of different positions including supported side lying, this is so important for thinking about rolling (in a few months time) but also the prevention of little flat spots developing on your baby’s head
• tummy time!!

Whilst tummy time is so important, lots of parents can find this a little overwhelming. My best advice to you is to do small bits little and often and remember your baby lying on your chest is also classified as tummy time.

For the sake of ease and to give you a visual aid, I have included a link to a YouTube video I made this year centered around Ideas for Play with your 0-3 Month Old.

For more information about this, ideas for tummy time and more tips around baby/child development please follow along on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thechildrensphysioireland/ or check out my website for further details https://www.thechildrensphysioireland.ie/ Wishing you the best of luck with your newest and most exciting adventure!!

Aoife Xx

Aoife also kindly came on Instagram live with me in October 2022 and answered parents questions about baby development. You can watch the replay by clicking the image below!