3 Month Old and Sleeping

My baby is just three days older than yours. : ) I also have a 3.5 year old, so I've been through this once before (which only makes it slightly easier!)

First of all, most babies this age aren't ready to listen to books. Not enjoying reading now is in NO WAY an indicator that your baby won't like books later. If you really want to show him books, pick ones with very few words and lots of pictures of faces - that's what babies like to look at now.

As for toys, he is really still too young to be that interested in many toys too. Find a few things that are easy to grab. Babies this age also like patterns, like black and white stripes, so look for stuff with that. If you have a Gymini, this is a great age to lie him down on his back and let him play with toys that dangle from above him. I have this one but there are tons of others available: http://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Love-Deluxe-Lights-Activity/dp...

Lots of babies dislike tummy time. Just keep doing it. Even 3-5 minutes a couple of times a day will help develop the muscles for raising his head, pushing up, and eventually rolling over. Put a flat mirror down in front of him so that if he pushes up, he can look down and see himself in the mirror.

Here is another REALLY great toy for little babies. When they are young, you can lay it flat for tummy time (it even has a mirror). As they grow, they can play with it sitting up. It can also be clipped to the stroller or high chair when they are bigger so they can play with it then too. http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/esuite/control/product?P... My daughter loves it, as do many other people I know who have bought it for their babies.
If you want good clips to attach it with, try these: http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/esuite/control/product?P...

As for sleep and eating... it sounds like he's doing well with that. Ask his doctor if it's still necessary to feed exactly every three hours, or if you can go more by his cues for when he's really hungry.

Oh, and drooling and putting hands in their mouth is really normal at this age too. It is very unlikely that your baby is actually teething yet. Teething usually starts closer to six months. Here is a great teether when you're ready: http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/esuite/control/product?P... (it's on sale - 20% off - through Feb 20)

My daughter still isn't really on a schedule yet, but I'm hoping to get her on one soon.

You sound like you're doing a great job caring for your baby and it sounds like he is growing and developing just as he should be!

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - check out our 20/20/20 sale - 20 toys, 20% off, ends Feb 20

I think you should look into two things. Look up infant reflux and also formula allergy. You say if he gets less than 5 oz per feeding he is not satisfied. That may be true, but he may also be suffering from some stomach acid coming up his throat..drinking more will soothe that feeling (for a moment anyway). I am thinking that if he is sleeping while eating it doesn't bother him quite as much because hes completely out of it. While awake though, hes troubled by it. My son who is 4 months old now has reflux. He was generally unhappy most of the time, BUT he was sleeping through the night at 2.5 months old. My girlfriend took care of him while I ran some errands for 2 hours one day and she suggested to me that he might have reflux, and she was right. All babies have 'reflux' to some degree, hence spitting up...but if your baby is unhappy a lot, arches his back during a feeding or while you are trying to burp him, (the feedings that he is most awake for) the throwing up, these are major signs. How does your baby fall asleep best? Does he like sitting up better? Good luck, hope you figure out whats ailing your little guy!

Check in with your pediatrician. Don't feel weird, it's normal for new moms to go in all the time! There's a small chance that he has pyloric stenosis if he's puking up the entire bottle, and there's clearly something bugging his tummy. You'll feel better if you get him checked out. Your mommy instinct is telling you something's not quite right--listen to it.

At 3 months he doesn't NEED books or toys - just you! Talk to him while making eye contact.

I actually doubt he's teething. The drooling and hand chewing is VERY normal. Young babies learn by putting things in their mouths.

Tummy time is 'one of those thing'. Neither of my older 2 liked being on their tummies and both developed just fine. In fact, both were early walkers.

You don't say if he's formula or breastfed, but you might want to try feeding on-demand. Meaning, you feed him when he's hungry. Have you tried feeding him *before* he falls asleep? Also, babies hit growth spurts every 3 months or so and need the sleep to grow.

He sounds totally normal, so don't worry :o)