Overview
What a charmer! The combination of your 2-month-old's environment and inherited temperament is forming his particular personality. By now, you can recognize his language and know when he's hungry, in pain, signaling for attention, tired, or just bored. You will become more sensitive to his needs and learn how best to reassure him.
Sensory stimulation is becoming more important to your baby. He wants you to talk to him, play with him, and show him new things. He also loves it when you interact with him--especially when you get silly. He will be fascinated when you shake your head, clap your hands, or stick your tongue out at him. He'll definitely protest if he's left alone for long.
Sometime in the next month or so, your baby will start to "converse." The sound of voices or music will not only quiet him when he's fussy, but also prompt him to reply in the form of gurgles and coos. He'll happily maintain a conversation of oohs and aahs for as long as 20 minutes.
Until now, your baby usually held his hands in a fist. This month, his hands will become more loosely clenched and eventually totally unflexed. He will stare at his hands and practice finger movements--and even register surprise when his hands reappear after having left his field of vision.
Your baby may begin to maintain a semisitting position with help. When he's lying on her belly, he can lift his chest up a bit. When you stand him up, he may hold his head up for a short time. He's also capable of raising his arms from his sides and bringing both hands together at the center of his body.
This is when you should begin babyproofing your home. Put your valuables, cleaning products, and plants out of reach. Anything your baby can reach should be unbreakable and nontoxic. Be aware of small objects that he could find and choke on.
By the end of the month, your baby may be sleeping as much as 10 hours at night, though he may sometimes wake for short stretches. He may fuss, but he'll gradually learn to stop waking as long as you don't rush in every time he wakes up.
If your baby has trouble getting to sleep when you put him to bed, he may not have been wide-awake enough during the day. Don't leave him in his crib too long while he is awake. On the other hand, he may not sleep well if he's had too much stimulation, particularly right before bedtime. Consider beginning a bedtime wind-down ritual that includes a small feeding, a brand-new diaper, and some cuddling.
Physical Development
- When on his stomach, leans on elbows, and can hold chest up and head erect for about 10 seconds
- Facial expressions, body tone, and vocalizations increase
- Reflexes disappear as actions become more voluntary
- When picked up, brings own body up compactly
- Grasp reflex disappearing, hands usually held open
- Explores own face, eyes and mouth with hand
Social Development
- Begins to recognize and differentiate family members
- Smiles easily and spontaneously
- Crying decreases
- May gurgle and coo in response to sounds
- Reacts differently to a parent's presence: Tries to attract attention when one of them is nearby
Intellectual Development
- Begins to show memory by waiting for expected rewards
- Visually seeks source of sound by turning head and neck
- Studies his own hand movements
- Coordinates senses; looks for sources of sounds; sucks at sight of breast
- Stops sucking to listen
- Distinguishes speech sounds from other sounds
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