Two Months
By Dr. Brown
Congratulations! You've shared two months with your baby and have gotten much better at understanding him. You've probably begun to distinguish a hungry from a fussy cry and have learned how to effectively soothe him. By now, he has started to "settle" and fall into patterns of day versus night as well as sleeping and feeding routines. The baby is also starting to stay awake and be more alert during the day!
DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY
Your baby is beginning to become sociable: smiling, cooing, and responding to you. Be sure to respond back to reinforce these behaviors. Propping him in a sitting position will allow your child to see more. Have your baby follow objects with his eyes. The sharp contrast items are best, but soon your son will begin to appreciate colored objects. Your child will enjoy a mobile at this age. Don't forget lots of "tummy time". Make sure that your baby seems to hear o.k. by responding to your voice or other sounds.
Note: Just as important as it is to stimulate your baby, its just as important for him to learn to be by himself and "self-entertain". So if your son is laying quiet and being "good", let him do it for a while longer, don't always be in his face!
Go to the section "Child Development" on our website to get more info.
FEEDING
Your son will only need breast milk or formula at this age. No cereal until further notice! If breastfeeding, your son may need an extra vitamin, please discuss this with the doctor. If possible, try to space your baby's feedings out to every 3-4 hours. This will give your child better napping time and "down time" for playing and developing. If you're breastfeeding, continue to make sure that your child will occasionally take a bottle of pumped breast milk or formula.
SLEEPING
Remember to sleep your baby on his back. Adding cereal does not help in getting your child to sleep through the night. Most babies are sleeping anywhere from 14-17 hours in a 24 hour period.
See if you can get your baby to learn to fall asleep by himself in the crib. Try to not let your baby fall asleep while feeding and try to not have your baby need to be rocked to fall asleep. Put your baby in the crib when very drowsy or awake. He may fuss for a little while, but eventually over time he may begin to put himself to sleep. See if you can establish a bedtime ritual.
SAFETY
Please don't leave your baby unattended on the changing table or anywhere else that he may fall. Some babies begin to roll over at this age. Always use your car seat, and watch where you put the seat as it can be tipped over if put on a table or counter. Always check water temperature before bathing your baby. You may want to consider lowering your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees for safety.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Diaper Rashes
If your child gets a diaper rash, the best thing is air! If you can allow your child's bottom to stay open to air, that will help with the healing. When you have to re-diaper, put a good diaper cream on to protect the skin from the next bowel movement or urination.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your son will become more social these next few weeks - lots of smiling, some cooing, and following your face with his eyes. Encourage his vocalizations. He'll start to move his arms more and occasionally get his hands into his mouth. Allow him to grasp your finger or a soft toy. If he wants to start standing and bearing weight in your lap, do this! It won't make him bow-legged.
.
Congratulations! You've shared two months with your baby and have gotten much better at understanding him. You've probably begun to distinguish a hungry from a fussy cry and have learned how to effectively soothe him. By now, he has started to "settle" and fall into patterns of day versus night as well as sleeping and feeding routines. The baby is also starting to stay awake and be more alert during the day!
DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY
Your baby is beginning to become sociable: smiling, cooing, and responding to you. Be sure to respond back to reinforce these behaviors. Propping him in a sitting position will allow your child to see more. Have your baby follow objects with his eyes. The sharp contrast items are best, but soon your son will begin to appreciate colored objects. Your child will enjoy a mobile at this age. Don't forget lots of "tummy time". Make sure that your baby seems to hear o.k. by responding to your voice or other sounds.
Note: Just as important as it is to stimulate your baby, its just as important for him to learn to be by himself and "self-entertain". So if your son is laying quiet and being "good", let him do it for a while longer, don't always be in his face!
Go to the section "Child Development" on our website to get more info.
FEEDING
Your son will only need breast milk or formula at this age. No cereal until further notice! If breastfeeding, your son may need an extra vitamin, please discuss this with the doctor. If possible, try to space your baby's feedings out to every 3-4 hours. This will give your child better napping time and "down time" for playing and developing. If you're breastfeeding, continue to make sure that your child will occasionally take a bottle of pumped breast milk or formula.
SLEEPING
Remember to sleep your baby on his back. Adding cereal does not help in getting your child to sleep through the night. Most babies are sleeping anywhere from 14-17 hours in a 24 hour period.
See if you can get your baby to learn to fall asleep by himself in the crib. Try to not let your baby fall asleep while feeding and try to not have your baby need to be rocked to fall asleep. Put your baby in the crib when very drowsy or awake. He may fuss for a little while, but eventually over time he may begin to put himself to sleep. See if you can establish a bedtime ritual.
SAFETY
Please don't leave your baby unattended on the changing table or anywhere else that he may fall. Some babies begin to roll over at this age. Always use your car seat, and watch where you put the seat as it can be tipped over if put on a table or counter. Always check water temperature before bathing your baby. You may want to consider lowering your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees for safety.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Diaper Rashes
If your child gets a diaper rash, the best thing is air! If you can allow your child's bottom to stay open to air, that will help with the healing. When you have to re-diaper, put a good diaper cream on to protect the skin from the next bowel movement or urination.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your son will become more social these next few weeks - lots of smiling, some cooing, and following your face with his eyes. Encourage his vocalizations. He'll start to move his arms more and occasionally get his hands into his mouth. Allow him to grasp your finger or a soft toy. If he wants to start standing and bearing weight in your lap, do this! It won't make him bow-legged.
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