Your 2 month old baby is such a
sweet bundle of joy! This is a wonderful age and parenting is a delight. Your
baby is waking up to the world around him and coming out of the sleepy fog he
was in as a newborn. You're discovering little facets of his personality and
he's charming everyone he meets.
Physical Development
Your baby is getting a bit more
organized with his movements, although it will still be some time before he's
able to control his hands well. You might notice him grasping at things that
you have in your hands while you hold him. He's getting so very interested in
the world around him! He no longer gets so fatigued from stimulation, and loves
to see new things. He's likely smiling and laughing out loud now, especially at
his parents and siblings if he has them. He will giggle and clasp his hands
together in an expression of delight. He loves how this makes you smile, and is
learning important social skills, the give-and-take of relationships.
His nervous system is still somewhat
immature however, and you may notice that he still "jumps" and
startles if he feels insecure (like if you are carrying him and suddenly squat
down). The newborn reflexes are still present at this age.
Baby can hold his head up for long
periods now, and he can lift his head quite well when he's on his belly. It's a
good idea to let him have some "tummy time" daily to exercise. If
he's not wild about this, try kneeling down to his level and talking to him or
showing him a colorful toy.
Feeding
If you're nursing, you've probably
overcome those challenges of the first few weeks and it's smooth sailing. Your
baby may look up at you and stop feeding to flash you a big, toothless grin and
it just melts your heart. Baby has probably settled into a (somewhat!)
predictable nursing routine now so you know what to expect. Look for the growth
spurt that is common at this age. Your baby's digestive system is still not
ready for solid foods, so your best bet is to spend 2 or 3 days nursing your
baby as much as he wants to, and your body will respond by increasing your milk
supply. Getting some extra rest during this time will also help.
Keeping Baby Entertained
It doesn't take an awful lot to keep
baby interested at this age, and you don't have to worry about him discovering
the outlets yet! Just realize that baby is learning new things constantly, such
as how to roll off the bed! Be careful when you lay him down on a flat surface.
Keep a hand on him constantly.
Most of all baby loves seeing your
face and hearing you talk to him. He can even mimic your facial expressions. So
sing to him, smile at him, talk with him, and read books out loud to him. The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you read daily with your baby
when he's 6 months of age, but why not get in the habit now? Baby will love it!
Babies this age also love being
carried in a sling or other soft cloth carrier so they can explore their new
environment and stay close to your body.
Sleeping
Your 2 month old may or may not be
sleeping through the night now. Don't be tempted to give him solid foods too
early in order to get him to sleep through the night. Studies show that it
doesn't work. Sleeping through the night is a developmental milestone and every
baby is different.
Enjoy this precious time in your
baby's life!
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