Developmental Milestones; 2 month olds

Photo by Colin Maynard on Unsplash

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by the end of two months. Talk to your doctor about the milestones your child has reached and what to expect next.

What Most Babies Can Do At This Age

• Begins to smile at people
• Can briefly calm himself (May bring hands to mouth and suck on hand)
• Tries to look at parent
• Coos, makes gurgling sounds
• Turns head towards sounds
• Pays attention to faces
• Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at
  a distance
• Begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activity doesn’t change
• Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy
• Makes smoother movements with arms and legs

What Can You Do For Your 2 Month Old

• Cuddle, talk, and play with your baby during feeding, dressing, and bathing.
• Help your baby learn to calm herself. It’s okay for her to suck on her fingers.
• Begin to help your baby get into a routine, such as sleeping at night more than in the day, and have regular schedules.
• Getting in tune with your baby’s likes and dislikes can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
• Act excited and smile when your baby makes sounds.
• Copy your baby’s sounds sometimes, but also use clear language.
• Pay attention to your baby’s different cries so that you learn to know what he wants.
• Talk, read, and sing to your baby.
• Play peek-a-boo. Help your baby play peek-a-boo, too.
• Place a baby-safe mirror in your baby’s crib so she can look at herself.
• Look at pictures with your baby and talk about them.
• Lay your baby on his tummy when he is awake and put toys near him.
• Encourage your baby to lift his head by holding toys at eye level in front of him.
• Hold a toy or rattle above your baby’s head and encourage her to reach for it.
• Hold your baby upright with his feet on the floor. Sing or talk to your baby as he is upright.

Act Early By Talking To Your Child’s Doctor If Your Child :

• Doesn’t respond to loud sounds
• Doesn’t watch things as they move
• Doesn’t smile at people
• Doesn’t bring hands to mouth
• Can’t hold head up when pushing up when on tummy

Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age, and talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area, such as your state’s public early intervention program.