What to Expect With Your Three Week Old Newborn

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By the time your baby reaches their third week, you’re likely settling into the whirlwind of the newborn stage.

While sleep might still feel like a distant memory, those precious baby cuddles and sweet smells make it all worthwhile.

What to Expect in Your Newborn’s Third Week

After week two, this week is a wonderful time of subtle but meaningful changes for both you and your baby. Let’s explore what you can expect during this special time.

Physical Development

Your baby might begin to demonstrate a bit more muscle control this week. You may notice them attempting to lift their head during tummy time.

These brief moments of head control are an exciting milestone as your baby’s neck muscles grow stronger.

Remember to provide plenty of tummy time on a soft, safe surface to help support this development—but don’t be surprised if it’s still a struggle at first. Short sessions are perfectly fine!

Related Post: How to Make Tummy Time Fun For Your Baby

Social and Sensory Milestones

At three weeks, your baby may start showing more engagement with their surroundings. Instead of the dreamy, glossy-eyed gaze, they might look directly at you more often.

It’s also possible that your little one will begin cooing, and experimenting with vocal sounds as they explore the world. These coos are early signs of communication, so be sure to talk, sing, and respond to encourage this interaction.

One of the most heartwarming milestones to watch for this week is the possibility of your baby’s first real smile. While every baby is different, many begin smiling intentionally during their third or fourth week.

If your baby hasn’t smiled yet, don’t worry; some newborns take their time warming up to social interactions. Keep engaging with them lovingly—that magical moment will come.

My middle child started smiling during her fourth week, but my other two took longer.

Feeding Patterns

By now, your milk supply should be well-established if you’re breastfeeding. You might even notice that you’re producing enough milk to start saving extra.

This can be a great time to invest in a quality breast pump or a silicone suction cup to help collect milk efficiently. These tools can make life easier by allowing you to store milk for later use, especially during growth spurts when your baby’s feeding needs might increase.

Sleep and Wake Schedules

Around this time, you might notice your baby’s sleep and wake times starting to show some patterns.

While it’s still too early for a rigid schedule, you’ll likely identify periods when your baby is more alert and interactive.

Related Post: Newborn Baby Sleep Schedule Ideas

Use these moments to bond and play with your little one. Gentle stimulation, like showing them high-contrast images or softly chatting, can help their cognitive development.

It’s also around this time that parents who previously thought they had the luck of having a baby who sleeps really well…find that perhaps that isn’t the case.

If your newborn starts struggling to settle at this point, that is very normal. They’re coming out of the really sleepy stage and becoming a lot more alert.

Final Thoughts

As you go through your baby’s third week, remember that you’re both still very new at all this. These early weeks are challenging but fleeting. It is totally okay to still feel as though you’re struggling.

Ask for help whenever you need it.

Celebrate the milestones, cherish the cuddles, and trust yourself—you’re doing an amazing job!