How to know if baby is behaving normally

[AnneOfSteak]

My son is just shy of turning 3 months on Monday. A friend commented the other day and said how he doesn't look happy and not smiling as much as her son did. I thought my son was smiling a decent amount sometimes it's towards me and other times it could be towards something else. He can make eye contact with me, but he does focus on other things. He loves the ceiling in our bedroom and in the kitchen and will stare at the ceilings for ages. Is this normal? I try and read/song/play with him and he does respond, but then he does cries, so I let him have some alone time on his swing or crib because I thought that maybe he was just overstuffed, but maybe I misread this. When I'm feeding him his bottle, sometimes he'll make eye contact, but most of the time he's looking at something else.

He can entertain himself, which I thought was normal, but now I'm wondering if this isn't. I do hold him, but I don't always because I do have things to do. Have I done this wrong? I do try and respond to his cues and cries as fast as I can, but sometimes I'm going toilet or cooking, so I'm not as fast. I read that it was normal for babies his age to explore around them and have independent time to themselves.

My friend never put her son down (even when he was napping). He is currently 3 years old and has really bad separation attachment. He is meeting his goal in weight and height. We haven't seen the Health Visitor for awhile, but I am debating if to see them soon.

I know that every baby is different, but is this normal?

My DD was like that, always interested in what was going on around her. She's got a very curious nature, always paying attention to things even when she's absorbed in something else! She was also a very serious baby. They all have their own personality. She's very bright at school.

Sounds absolutely 100% normal to me. I’d really try not to compare your child to others as they all develop at different times - one of mine didn’t walk for months after all the babies in my group I was convinced he had something wrong but turns out he’s just a bit of a lazy bugger
If you’re genuinely concerned about something speak to your health visitor or ask for an appointment with your gp but otherwise keep your developmental appointments and try to relax & enjoy your LO.

I know it sounds ridiculous now, but I vividly remember sobbing on then dh when DD was a couple of months old that her only friend when she grew up would be the lamp in the living room, as she showed more interest in that than anything else. Suffice to say, this did not happen and all was fine. Ignore your friend and try not to compare.

Mine doesn't smile at strangers, just stares at them quietly. Maybe your's is doing that too

My daughter didn't smile at all at 3 months, it was over 5 months when she did and it was only then that it was classed as a slight delay. She didn't turn to sounds either, this was first noted at her 8 week assessment but it was only when she still couldn't do it at 16 weeks that it triggered an audiology referral.

Babies reach milestones at different rates and take their own time from doing something occasionally to frequently.

If you are personally worried about anything you could look of the appropriate ages and stages assessment for their age or speak to the HV but if you would have no concerns had it not been for well-meaning comments in future just smile and nod and say you are happy with how he's growing and developing.

I found that you get the oddest comments once you have a baby.

It sounds as though you’re doing everything right so try not to worry too much.

Once the schools go back your local playgroups and library sessions will probably start up again. If you go along you’ll probably meet some other parents of 3 month olds and realise just how daft her comments are.

Please dispense with the idea that there is such a thing as normal. Each baby is unique 😊

He's 3 months. Chill and enjoy being able to put him down and have a coffee while he stares at the ceiling.

Your friend is a dick.

She's probably shattered after 3 years of not putting that child down and trying to make herself feel better.

I think it's odd of your friend to comment negatively about your baby. What is she trying to imply?

If you're worried about development speak to the health visitor, but they are all different and your baby sounds normal to me.