The first few months after the birth of your baby can be an exciting and overwhelming time for new parents. Every day, your baby is making new discoveries and reaching new developmental milestones. As your baby turns two months old, there are several developmental milestones to look out for, including cognitive, physical, and social and emotional milestones. In this article, we will discuss the developmental milestones that most two-month-old babies achieve, how to recognize the warning signs of developmental delays, and some tips for parents to help their baby’s development.
Cognitive Developmental Milestones:
Cognitive development involves a baby’s brain development, cognitive functions, and cognitive prowess. Here are some of the cognitive developmental milestones that a two-month-old baby may achieve:
- Paying attention to faces: At two months old, babies can focus their attention on faces and maintain steady eye contact, especially with primary caretakers such as parents. The baby can recognize faces and differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar faces.
- Locating sound source: At two months old, the baby’s coordination of hearing and brain functions brings the ability to locate the source of the sound. The baby turns their head around, searching for the sound source, such as the location of a moving rattle or a talking person. You can test this by clapping on either side of the baby and seeing if the baby turns their head.
- Different crying tones: The baby’s mind is capable of prompting different vocalizations to convey distinct feelings. Cries when the baby is hungry differ from those when they just soiled their diaper. At two months old, parents may begin to recognize different crying tones and what they mean.
- Recognizes people at a distance: Memory and recall grow rapidly in the first few months of life. A two-month-old baby can recognize familiar faces even at a distance.
Physical Developmental Milestones:
Physical developmental milestones show a baby’s physical growth and muscular abilities. Here are some physical developmental milestones that a two-month-old baby may achieve:
- Head stays straight when held in a sitting position: At two months old, a baby’s neck muscles are stronger, which means they can keep their head straight while sitting with support. This is an essential milestone as neck holding starts at this age.
- Lifts head nearly 45 degrees when on the tummy: Stronger neck muscles help the baby raise their head against gravity when they are placed on their stomach. At two months old, a baby can raise their head up by 45 degrees during tummy time.
- Partially pushes up when on the tummy: A two-month-old baby can press on their elbows and try to push their body upwards from the tummy. Stronger shoulder muscles and joints help achieve this ability.
- Follows moving objects with their eyes: A two-month-old baby will fix their eyes on an object when it is swung in front of them from side to side. They can follow objects within 180 degrees of the line of sight.
Social and Emotional Developmental Milestones:
Social and emotional developmental milestones show a baby’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Here are some social and emotional developmental milestones that a two-month-old baby may achieve:
- Smiling at familiar faces: At two months old, babies can smile spontaneously at people they are familiar with. This is a great way for parents to bond with their baby.
- Gets fussy when bored: A two-month-old baby may show fussiness in specific situations, such as when they are bored or overstimulated.
- Responds to voices with coos: Babies can try imitating voices and tone at two months old.
Recognizing Warning Signs of Developmental Delays and Seeking Professional Help
As a parent, it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs of developmental delays, and to seek professional help if necessary. Some signs that your two-month-old may be experiencing a delay in development include:
- Limited eye contact or not following objects with their eyes
- Not responding to sounds or voices
- Not cooing or making other vocalizations
- Not smiling at familiar faces
- Not moving their arms or legs equally
- Not showing interest in their surroundings
- Extreme irritability or fussiness
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation or suggest early intervention services to support your child’s development.
Tips for Supporting Your Two-Month-Old’s Development
There are several ways you can help support your baby’s development during their second month of life. Here are some tips:
- Spend time interacting with your baby: Talk to your baby, sing songs, and make eye contact during playtime to help develop their cognitive and social skills.
- Give your baby plenty of tummy time: Tummy time is important for developing neck and shoulder muscles, as well as gross motor skills. Start with a few minutes each day and gradually increase the duration as your baby gets stronger.
- Provide age-appropriate toys: Offer toys that are easy to grasp and manipulate, such as soft toys or rattles, to help develop fine motor skills.
- Read to your baby: Even at this young age, reading can help develop language and cognitive skills.
- Get outside: Taking your baby outside for a walk or spending time in the park can help stimulate their senses and promote physical and cognitive development.
The second month of a baby’s life is full of exciting developmental milestones. From recognizing familiar faces to lifting their head during tummy time, your baby is growing and learning at an incredible pace. As a parent, it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs of developmental delays and to seek professional help if necessary. By spending time interacting with your baby, providing age-appropriate toys, and encouraging activities like tummy time and reading, you can help support your two-month-old’s healthy development.
