Month Two

Babies First Year: Month Two

How Baby Is Changing

Life with a new baby may be hectic. Your needs seem to take a back seat to your baby's needs. But by the second month, baby may be settling into a more predictable schedule. For many babies, nighttime sleeping lengthens (thank goodness). Feedings may be needed only every three to four hours.

Baby is beginning to be more interested in things, looking around and listening to voices. Movements are getting smoother, less jerky, and he may have better control over his head and neck. Maybe he can hold his head and chest up while on his tummy.

He might even be able to roll from his side to his back. Don't leave your baby alone on a counter, table or bed -- he might flip or wiggle off.

While you're keeping a watchful eye on your little one, you'll be rewarded with smiles. Smiles usually start in the second month. When you smile at baby, he smiles back.

Even though your baby is still young, he needs your praise and approval. When you get excited about your baby's new talents, he does, too. The more attention you pay to your baby, the more he will respond and be fun for you.

Baby Wants You To Know

How I Grow

• I can hold my head up for a short time when I'm on my tummy. But it still wobbles a little when I'm propped up.
• I wave my arms and "bicycle" with my legs when I am excited.
• I can hold onto things you give me for a little while. Did you notice that my hands are open most of the time now?
• I'm more interested in things.
• I like to look around and to listen.
• I might stay awake as long as 10 hours a day, and sleep as long as seven hours a night. But don't count on it! Please be patient with me when I wake up during the night.

How I Talk

• I gurgle and smile when I'm happy.
• I try cooing sounds. Say them back to me!
• I cry to let you know when I need something.

How I Respond

• I'm fascinated by my hands, and can bring them together.
• I like to follow you with my eyes when you move around. I watch objects, too.
• I smile at people.
• Sucking on my hand or a pacifier helps me calm down.
• I perform to get your attention. I love it when you get excited about what I can do.

How I Feel

• I feel happy, sad or uncomfortable at times.
• I need lots of cuddling and holding.

How I Understand

• I recognize some people by their voices.
• I recognize a few things, like my favorite rattle or a bottle.

How You Can Help Me Learn

• Keep me close to you when you move around the house. Talk to me about what you're doing. I like to listen!
• Put me in my infant seat and change my position often, so I can see different things. Support my head when you move me around.
• On a nice day, lay me on my back under a shady tree so I can watch the leaves blow. Remember my sunscreen lotion, so I don't get sunburned.
• Take me for a walk or out to the store. I like to see and hear what's happening.
• Give me a massage after my bath. I like your touch. I like the feel of soft fabric and different textures on my skin.
• Give me easy-to-hold toys that make sounds when I move them. Then I can make the connection between what my hands do and what happens.

Fun Activities

Your baby is beginning to know your voice, and likes to look into your eyes when you talk. Why not make a game out of it?

• Put baby on your lap, facing you, with her face about 8 to 12 inches away from yours. Lean toward her and talk happily. Pause, and give her a chance to smile, gurgle, wriggle or move her mouth back at you!
• Try doing these things one at a time: smile, stick out your tongue, open and close your mouth or eyes widely, or shake your head back and forth while you talk. Watch closely. What does your baby do? Does she smile, gurgle, wiggle?
• Give her time to respond. She doesn't have full control of her body yet. If she turns away, give her time to turn back to you. She just needs to take a break. If she makes a sound, repeat it. She will be thrilled. In a few months, she will babble back when you talk to her, just like a real conversation. Taking turns like this helps your baby learn to talk.
• Music played regularly, but not all the time or too loud.
• A bell sewn securely to baby's sock.
• Singing to baby, and telling her nursery rhymes.
• Wind chimes or a mobile hung in baby's room.

Feeding Baby

By now, someone has probably told you that feeding your baby solid foods -- like cereal -- will help him sleep through the night. While you may want to try anything to get a full night's sleep, solid foods probably aren't the answer.

Most babies are not ready for solids before 4 to 6 months of age. Younger babies are not good at moving food to the back of their mouths and swallowing it. So they tend to push food out of their mouths. You'll know baby is old enough for solid foods when he can sit well with support, has good head and neck control, and can turn his head away on purpose if he doesn't like a food or has had enough. This usually happens around 4-6 months.

Babies don't need solids until 4 to 6 months. Breast milk and iron-fortified infant formula have all the nutrients babies need. Sometimes, solids given too early can cause food allergies. The foods are not digested properly, and the body treats them as "foreign substances."