2 Months – Mutual adjustment and establishing routines

Communicating  

What’s New? 

The first thing you may notice during this period is that your baby cries more than he used to in the first days after birth. This is expected during the second month of development, and it will continue during the third month.  It actually means that your baby is learning to communicate with you. His cries are more distinct now — different cries to indicate his hunger, discomfort, or tiredness.   You will also begin to notice that he is making cooing sounds (may be “ooh” or “aah”) and gurgles. 

And What Can You Do to Help?

 It will take him a while to make sure you understand the way he communicates, so it is important to respond to your baby’s cry every time.  Speak to your baby clearly and slowly when your baby makes a sound, express joy with your facial expressions and voice and repeat his sounds. 

Feelings  

What’s New?

Your baby has developed a relationship with you and recognizes you - mostly by your smell and voice.  He tries to look for you and other special people. During this period, he may already respond to you with his first smile — a magical moment.  

He will generally become more sensitive to sounds during the second month - not only will he recognise you when you speak to him, but he will also respond to your voice by looking for your face when you talk to him. He still needs your comfort, of course, but he is becoming able to comfort himself, for example by putting his fist in his mouth. 

And What Can You Do to Help?

Whenever you respond by satisfying your baby's need - feeding him, changing his wet clothes, or  reaching out to him with your voice and touch - he will feel comforted and safe.  Always soothe your baby by speaking in a soft voice, gentle touching, rocking or singing. Your baby likes to be near you. He likes to look around and listen. Rock him, sing and talk to him,  use baby talk, and play with him often. Pay attention to what pleases him and what soothes him.  Help him learn to calm himself — it is fine for him to suck on his fingers. 

Thinking

What’s New? 

He is learning a lot through his eyes – for example, he follows interesting objects with his eyes. He is curious about faces he sees, which are another source of new information for your baby. He may start being bored and fussy if an activity does not change, or overstimulated if there is too much change.

And What Can You Do to Help?

When your baby is on his tummy, you can put a toy with bright colours in front of him and move it from one side to the other. If your baby starts complaining, turning his head to the side or crying during playing, it can be a sign of excessive stimulation. You may need to slow down the play a little or take a break.  However, you can also observe whether perhaps he is a bit bored and will enjoy a new activity or just being carried to a different part of the room.  You know your baby best!  You can offer your baby different things that he can look at, touch and hold in his hand. When he is lying on his back, hold a toy or rattle above his head, at eye level, and encourage him to reach for it. This is a new and interesting problem for him to solve.

Moving

What’s New?

By the end of the second month,  your baby’s motor skills become better and better. Children develop on different timelines, but during this period, he will probably be able to lift his head and move it from side to side when he is on his tummy.  His arm and leg movements are smoother and more coordinated than when he was a newborn. It is interesting for him to discover his body, so his hands and fingers will probably be the most amusing for him in this period. For example, he will explore his hands by looking at them, putting them together and separating them, and with your help, he will be able to hold an object in his hands.

And What Can You Do to Help?

Put your baby on his tummy when he is awake, with interesting, safe objects near him. Stroke and massage your baby - you will encourage his motor development.  At the same time,  you will bond with him and be able to comfort him if he is distressed.  

To find many more ways on how to support child development through play, go to Playing Together section.

Parents’ concerns about development during the 2nd month 

Because each child develops in his own particular way, it is impossible to predict exactly when or how your own child will perfect a certain skill. The abilities (developmental milestones) expected and listed for this period give you only a general idea of the changes you might expect as your child gets older.  Please do not be worried if his development takes a slightly different path.

However, to be sure, do talk with your pediatrician [or other health provider] if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay, if your child seems to have lost some of the skills he had at an earlier age, or if you have other reasons to be concerned:

• The baby frequently cries a lot, and you are not usually able to soothe him   
• he isn't watching faces even for a short time   
• he isn't responding to bright light or loud sounds   
• he isn't feeding or sleeping well (or sleeps more than 16 hours a day)   
• he isn't moving his arms or legs at all
• he isn't bringing his hands to his mouth   
• he isn't smiling at people.