In the blink of an eye, your baby is 2 months old. Now that he or she has reached the two month milestone, your baby is probably beginning to interact more. Even though your newborn baby slept much of the day, your two-month-old baby is going to begin to socialize. You are probably wondering how you are going to get stuff done around the house and play with your baby at the same time. This also means that you will start getting more sleep at night, even if it still isn’t quite enough. What do you need to know about having a 2-month-old baby at home?
Your Baby’s Weight and Length
Every baby is different, but the average 2-month-old baby’s weight is approximately 11 pounds for girls and 12 pounds for boys. We are still measuring babies in length during this stage because they cannot stand up. The average 2-month-old baby girl is approximately 22 inches long, while the approximate length for boys is 23 inches long. During the past month, your baby has probably gained somewhere between 1 and 2 pounds in weight and 1 and 2 inches in length.
Your Baby’s Senses
Your baby’s senses are continuing to develop as well. As a result, they are probably going to interact with you more. You may notice that they are moving his or her eyes to focus better on objects that are around the room. For example, if you were to pass an interesting object in front of his or her face, he or she would probably track it across their entire visual field.
They are also going to be more interested in complex patterns. This is around the age you should consider hanging a mobile above their crib. That way, he or she can engage with it and be entertained by the pattern created by the mobile.
They are also going to be more interested in what you have to say. Of course, your baby is probably not going to say anything back; however, you may notice that they are paying attention. He or she might even respond by moving his or her arms and paying attention to what you have to say.
Finally, most babies at this age also recognize familiar faces. Therefore, they will probably begin to recognize your face, and other family members that interact with them regularly. If there are any siblings or animals at home, your baby will probably perk up when they are in the room as well.
What Will 2-Month-Old Babies Do?
Every two-month-old baby is different; however, there are a few common things that two-month-old babies should be able to do. For example, your baby’s neck muscles are going to get stronger. You may notice that they can lift up his or her head during tummy time. You should make sure to place them on his or her stomach more often, so they can continue to practice lifting their head.
You may notice that they are also kicking more. That is because your baby’s leg muscles are getting stronger as well. Your baby is probably extending his or her legs frequently, kicking with more strength.
They are probably going to become more coordinated as well. He or she should do a better job when reaching for new objects. Your baby is probably more aware of his or her hands. He or she may even be sucking on his or her fists.
Finally, your baby is probably becoming more social. They are probably responding to you and noises. Even though these aren’t going to sound like words, they are signs that your baby is developing his or her language skills. You should try to encourage this type of language. It will be important for the development of your baby down the road.
Your Baby’s Health Markers at 2 Months of Age
So, it is important to take a closer look at various health markers for a 2-month-old. A 2-month-old baby may begin to teethe, as there is a wide range during which babies may start to teethe. Even though two months old will be a bit early, you may notice that your baby is drooling more often. If they are refusing to nurse, they may be starting the teething journey. You should talk with your pediatrician about this to learn more.
Your baby’s diaper habits are going to be similar to those at one month of age. The vast majority of two-month-old babies are going to poop once per day. However, it is also not unusual for 2-month-old babies to go several days in a row without pooping. It depends on whether your baby is formula-fed or breastfed. Instead of paying attention to how often they are pooping, you should pay attention to consistency. If you notice a shift, you may want to ask your pediatrician to evaluate what is happening with your baby’s bowel movements.
When it comes to feeding, you may want to space out the feeding just a bit more than compared to earlier in life. You will probably welcome this because you will be able to sleep more. You should still feed a 2-month-old every 3 or 4 hours. As their stomach gets bigger, you will be able to space out the feeding sessions more.
The Sleep Schedule
Finally, what should the sleep schedule be? A 2-month-old should still be going to sleep between 15 and 16 hours per day. The good news is that they should be able to sleep through the night uninterrupted. This means that you probably do not need to wake up your baby to feed in the middle of the night anymore. Even though you may not get 8 hours straight, your two-month-old baby might!
Have Questions, or Need an Appointment for Your Baby? Contact North Texas Medical Center Today!
Do you have questions about how your baby is developing? Contact your pediatrician at North Texas Medical Center to schedule an appointment today. We will provide you with the customized, compassionate care that you and your family deserve. Our only goal is to make sure that your children are developing appropriately.
