One exciting newborn skill that may emerge as early as 2.5 months old is batting. Thus far, arm movements have been largely jerky and driven by automatic reflexes. But, as your baby matures, their movements will grow more intentional.
Batting is a precursor to grasping
Typically, your baby will swat or bat at toys before they can meaningfully grasp and hold onto them. Even though grasping is exciting and broadens their world of self-discovery, batting is important work as it builds hand-eye coordination and helps them acquire strength. Enjoy this mini milestone and support it by:
Hanging tactile mobiles that can be safely hung above baby’s chest during supervised floor play, giving them new and exciting things to reach for.
Consider toys designed for batting, such as bells or things that make simple noise when baby successfully touches the object.
Supervise and always ensure that anything you hang for your baby to reach is securely attached to a wall or play gym and is safe for hands-on exploration.