Northwest Spokane Pediatrics

Child Development

Weeks


What should I expect from my 2-month-old?

Behaviors

  • Movements are more coordinated and may actually bat at objects in front of them.
  • May smile responsively.
  • Can be soothed by being talked to.
  • Begins to coo.

Neurodevelopmental

  • They will have about 12 inches of focus.
  • High contrast objects are more interesting to them. (This is a good opportunity for an early form of education.)
  • They can follow objects to midline.
  • They may discover their hands and fingers!
  • You may see more emotions like excitement.
  • They have no object permanence. (The ability know an object exists without input directly from senses.

Physical

  • Lift their chest briefly while on their tummy.
  • The head becomes more stable when sitting being supported.

Feeding

Breast milk or formula is best at this age. Both are rich in nutrients needed to support the rapid growth and brain development during this period. Feeding time is a good opportunity for bonding and helping baby develop a sense of trust. If you hold baby while feeding, baby associates being with you as a rewarding condition. Baby senses love and satisfaction of their hunger. This helps them develop trust that you will fulfill their needs. The use of rice cereal should be discussed with you pediatrician as the pro’s and con’s need evaluation.

Sleep

At two months old the need for lots of sleep is very evident. They will still be up to mostly eat and have quiet alert time. Then they will go back to sleep. Some babies will sleep through the night at this age. (Around 6 hours.) Others will get up every 4 hours. This is very individualized among the babies. Feeding baby extra formula to help them sleep longer does not really work. It often results in reflux problems. Over time baby will have longer times between nighttime feeds as they begin to develop their rhythms.

Immunizations

  • DTaP #1 (Diphtheria tetanus and activated pertussis.)
  • HiB #1 (Haemophilus influenza type B)
  • HepB #2 (Hepatitis B)
  • IPV #1 (Polio)
  • PCV7 #1 (Pneumococcal)

Baby may develop a fever and be irritable. This should pass and can be treated with Tylenol infant drops 0.4 ml every 6-8 hours. Call if baby develops a rash outside of simple redness at the injection site or you have any concern.

Safety Tips

  • Baby sleeps on back to decrease risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
  • Never SHAKE a baby. If you feel like you need to shake a baby, call for help.
    • Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery 535-3155
    • CPS (Child Protective Services) 363-3333
    • 911
  • Hot water heater at 120 degrees.
  • Keep baby away from hot beverages. Do not carry baby and hot beverage at same time.
  • Do not smoke around baby including in a car.
  • Do not leave baby on a surface from where they can fall.
  • Do not have plastic bags or balloons near baby for suffocation risk.

RED FLAGS

  • Baby does not move arms and legs when on their back.
  • Baby does not follow or focus on caregiver’s face.