Your Two Month Old

Developmental Milestones*

  • Your baby can follow an object as it's passed over her face from one side all the way to the other.
  • She steadily holds up her head.
  • She can raise her chest using her arms for support while lying on her stomach.
  • Baby smiles when you smile at her.
  • She responds to sound.
  • Baby coos.

*All babies develop differently. If your 2-month-old hasn't yet reached these milestones, rest assured that she will soon. If you have concerns about your baby's development, please schedule an appointment.

Feeding

For breast-feeding mothers, your infant should feed every 2-4 hours for 15 to 20 minutes on each breast. You'll know he's getting enough to eat if he seems satisfied following the feeding, if he continues to have wet diapers, and stays within a normal growth curve.
Mom should drink around 2 quarts of liquid per day and continue prenatal vitamins.

Formula fed babies will feed every 3-4 hours and will take 3-6 ounces per feeding.  24-36 ounces in a 24-hour period is normal. 

There is no need for water or anything else for your baby.

Please DO NOT give your baby any whole milk, chocolate, honey, orange juice, peanuts or seafood.

We only recommend pear or prune juice for the treatment of constipation.  No other juices are necessary and can lead to tooth decay, even if your baby does not yet have teeth.

Bowel Movements/ Urine

  • There is a wide variation on how often your baby poops and what the stools look like. Please inform us if the stools are watery, mucousy, hard as pebbles, red, or tarry black.
  • Normally a baby will have 6-8 wet diapers per day.

Activity

  • Please have your newborn sleep on their back, as this is the most important way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Also, we advise not to have any stuffed animals or pillows in the bed with the babies.
  • A car seat is very important, even for short trips. The car seat should be rear facing and in the back of the car.
  • Avoid sun exposure since your baby’s skin is delicate and more likely to burn. Sunscreen is NOT advised until your infant is 6 months of age.
  • Utilize insect netting when outdoors.  Insect repellent is NOT advised. 

Parental Support

Please remember that taking care of a baby can be difficult at times and downright exhausting.  Do not hesitate to ask for help if you need a break.  This is NORMAL.  Stay rested and eat well.  If you need to have someone watch your baby so you can sleep or eat, that is okay and strongly recommended.  If you feel you need help and do not have anyone to help you, please contact our office.

Vaccines

Your baby will receive immunizations during his or her 2-month visit.  Please visit the vaccine section of this website for more information on specific vaccines and their administration schedule. Your baby may develop a fever during the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving vaccines. You may give one dose of Tylenol after the visit. You may give another dose every 4 hours as needed for vaccine related fever/irritability. If the baby’s temperature goes above 103.0°F, please contact us immediately!

Please note that we will not administer vaccines to any child whose parent or guardian is not present for the visit.  This is our office policy.  We understand that parents have busy schedules but no exceptions to this rule will be made. 

Fussy babies

Colic Affecting 10 to 20 percent of babies, colic causes babies to have periods of intense crying -- which can occur several times per week and last for several hours. You'll know it when you hear it: Colic elicits sharp cries and screams that aren't relieved by a dry diaper or another bottle. Colic often shows up more frequently during the late afternoon and evening.  It is important to make sure your baby does not have a fever if he or she is extra cranky.  Please call us immediately if that is the case or if you find your infant is inconsolable.  

Constipation Your baby's bowel movements should be soft; if they're hard and dry and resemble little pebbles and are infrequent, your baby may be constipated.  Please call our office.

Intestinal gas One good way to avoid intestinal gas in formula-fed babies is to fill the bottle with one fluid ounce of formula more than you'll feed your baby. That way, she won't end up sucking on an empty bottle and allowing air to enter her intestines. Also, keep the bottle tilted at a 45-degree angle to reduce air.   Try to keep your baby as upright as possible for as long as possible after a feeding—this aids in digestion.  An over the counter anti-gas medication also may be helpful.  Developing good burping techniques is a must.  Please inform us if you are uncomfortable burping your baby or if you think your baby is not burping adequately. 

Formula intolerance Your fussy baby may be having difficulty tolerating her formula. Babies are born with immature digestive systems that continue to develop and mature during the first 4 to 6 months of life.  Please let us know if you have any concerns.