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Development and Characteristics of a Two Month Old Baby

Last Updated: September 26, 2008

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Parenting Tips for Your 2 Month Old Baby

Contents

What’s It Like to be 2 Months Old?


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How I Am Growing

  • My head is still a little wobbly when I’m propped up.
  • I hold my head up for a few minutes and turn it sideways, when I’m on my stomach.
  • I cry with real tears now, but usually only enough to wet my eyes.
  • I move my arms and legs and “bicycle” with my feet when I get excited.
  • I hold onto things for a little while. Did you notice that my hands are open most of the time now?

How I Talk

  • I gurgle, laugh, and smile when I’m happy.
  • I like to try out cooing sounds.

Make it easier for me to hear and learn the patterns of words. Talk slowly, raise the pitch of your voice, and say your words VERY clearly. When you repeat words and phrases that helps me learn, too.

How I Feel

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  • I need lots of cuddling and holding.
  • I can have lots of feelings, including feeling happy, scared, or uncomfortable.
  • I feel happy when I hear you tell me that I am beautiful and you love me.
  • I feel happy and secure when you give me what I need, such as feeding me when I’m hungry, changing my diapers when I'm wet, or rocking me when I’m tired.

How I Understand

  • I recognize different voices and people.
  • I recognize a few familiar things, such as my bottle.
  • I like to stare at people and things.

How I Respond

  • If I am a quiet baby, I spend a lot of time just looking.
  • If I am an active baby, I will spend more time moving, smiling or screaming depending on how I feel.
  • I am fascinated by my own hands. First, I may just look at them. Then I may bring them to my mouth. This may have happened before, but now it is because I decided to move them.
  • I blink at shadows made by my own hands.
  • I follow you with my eyes when you move.
  • I can follow moving objects with my eyes.
  • I can see bright colors now.
  • I smile at people.
  • I quiet down when I suck my fingers, a bottle, or a pacifier.
  • I perform just to get your attention. I love it when you get excited about what I do.
  • I don’t like some noises, such as loud televisions and radios. I will tell you this by fussing. Turn it down, Mom and Dad!


Learn more about Your 2 Month Old Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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