What Can a Two-Month-Old Baby Do?
Physical and Social-Emotional Development of Baby at Two Months
Oct 9, 2009
After only two months of life, baby has already picked up some new skills. Each child is different and develops in his or her own way, but these are general milestones that two-month-olds will have. According to attachment theory, the goal is for parents to become attuned to their child, and knowing where a baby is at developmentally can help parents better meet the unique character and needs of their baby.
Things are Looking Up for Baby
Two-month-old babies will be able to hold their heads more erect and steady. If there is an interesting sound, they will be able to turn their heads toward it and they will also look toward sounds that get their attention. They prefer the sound of human voices and they enjoy looking at faces and listening to the changes in a person’s voice. They are also able to focus on objects and faces from about eight to ten feet away.
Two-Month-Old is Watching Parents
Babies at this age are interested in faces, particularly the faces of their caregivers. Two-month-olds enjoy eye contact with parents. They will move their eyes to follow a parent as he or she moves around them. If a parent is making funny faces at a two-month-old, the baby will attempt to imitate the exaggerated facial expressions he or she sees.
Baby Likes Patterns and Sounds
Two-month-olds are interested in patterns, in particular they like high contrast images that are black and white. They also will enjoy the movement of a brightly colored mobile or toy.
Two-Month-old is Smiling and Vocalizing
If a parent smiles or talks to the two-month-old; chances are the baby will be able to respond by smiling back. Babies at this age will also actively seek out their parents’ eyes and brighten their eyes and smile to get attention. They will also begin to coo and gurgle to communicate to their caregivers. Vowel vocalizations will be likely be the first sounds thy make. As well, when the baby is feeling tired or had enough stimulation, he or she will end eye contact and turn away. He or she may also frown.
Baby Communicates With Body
Crying is one of the main ways a baby communicates, and at this age the baby will express his or her feelings with total body movements. For example, when a two-month-old is excited or happy, he or she will make bicycle movements or rhythmically kick with his or her legs.
Two-Month-Old is Working on Movement
If a parent puts a two-month-old on his or her stomach, the baby will try to push up with his or her arms. The baby will also be working on rolling from his or her side to back from his or her back to side. Baby is also working on gripping things. If a parent puts a finger or toy in baby’s hand, he or she will be able to hold on for a brief amount of time.
Baby Knows When it is Meal Time
After two months, baby should be well practiced at feeding. When the baby sees the bottle or breast, he or she will often anticipate that food is on the way and can start to make sucking motions.
Two-Month-Old Starting to Self-Soothe
At this age, babies are easily startled by a loud noise and will need parents to help soothe them. Two-month-olds will start to self-soothe by doing things like sucking on a hand or soother.
Knowing what developmental benchmarks that baby will meet at the age of two months can help parents as they work on their bond with baby. Attachment theory promotes building a strong connection between baby and parent, and knowing that baby will be interested in faces and starting to smile at this age can aid parents in communicating and understanding their baby. This in turn, will help the baby develop and grow and feel more secure and confident.
Also check out, Activities for Two-Month-Olds, What Can a Four-Month-Old Do? and Bonding with a Newborn.
References:
Newton, Ruth. The Attachment Connection: Parenting a Secure and Confident Child Using the Science of Attachment Theory. New Harbinger Publications Oakland, California, 2008.
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