Hello mummy. Welcome to week three with your tiny baby that magical whirlwind of cuddles, cries, smiles, and 3 am snack breaks. If the past few weeks have felt like running a marathon in flip-flops, you’re not alone. Let’s pause, grab a cuppa, and walk through what’s really happening with your 3-week-old in a friendly, reassuring tone that feels like a chat with another mum who’s been there.
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What’s Changing at Week Three
At three weeks old, your baby isn’t a newborn potato anymore they’re slowly waking up to the world. You might notice slightly clearer eye contact, stronger little limbs, and even the beginning of head-lifting during short supervised tummy time. These are early signs of motor control and growing awareness. Vision is still fuzzy beyond a few inches, but those faces you make are starting to register.
One of the biggest milestones is weight gain by now many babies are back to their birth weight and gaining steadily. Healthy babies often gain around an ounce a day, regardless of their growth percentile, which means your feeding routine is working even if it feels relentless.
Feeding: The (Happy & Hungry) Reality
Feeding is the center of life right now. Your 3-week-old may nurse 8–12 times a day, and formula-fed babies typically drink about 2–3 ounces every 2–3 hours. It’s okay to feed on demand hunger cues like rooting or sucking on hands are your baby’s way of saying, “More, please!”
Many babies also experience a growth spurt around this age, which means even more frequent feeding and fussiness. Growth spurts can last 2–3 days and may make your baby seem extra hungry or unusually fussy reassurance that development is happening fast.
Also Read: Week 2 With Your Newborn.
Sleep: Yes, They Sleep a Lot But Not Predictably
Your baby still sleeps a lot around 14–18 hours a day but not in a fashion that respects your bedtime. Night and day are still confusing concepts. Sleep cycles are short, waking every few hours for feeds, burps, or a snuggle.
A little secret: babies at this age can have what’s affectionately called the “witching hour.” This period of evening fussiness often shows up around three weeks and usually gets better by a few months. It’s not your parenting it’s development.
Soothing: What Actually Works
When your newborn cries, it’s communication, not drama. Crying can mean hunger, tiredness, discomfort, or just a desire for snuggles. Responsive feeding and comforting matter more than rigid schedules at this stage.
Gentle routines can help slightly. A warm swaddle, quiet white noise, reduced lighting, and soft rocking can form a calming bedtime ritual. Some parents find giving a warm bath or gentle massage helps signal “sleep time” it’s not a schedule, just a cue.
Development & Play (Yes, Already!)
Tummy time doesn’t need to be long even brief, supervised moments help strengthen neck and shoulder muscles. If your baby fusses, try holding them upright on your chest or lap it’s still strengthening those muscles in a way that feels reassuring to them.
Talking, cooing, and eye contact are simple ways to encourage social and language development. Your voice is a powerful tool: even just narrating your day or repeating their sounds back builds connection.
Health & Safety
Your baby’s immune system is still full-on beginner mode and won’t have protection from vaccines until around two months. Minimize germ exposure: encourage handwashing for visitors and be mindful about crowds.
Skin sensitivity is normal. Some newborns develop mild acne or red, dry patches (especially in skin folds) this often clears up on its own by six weeks.
Hang in there
Week three is a blend of exhaustion and awe those tiny fingers, the first sweet coos, and even the chaotic nights tell you your baby is growing. You’re doing an amazing job, even when it feels like you’re just surviving. Remember: this phase isn’t perfect, but it is fleeting.
