Well Baby Report - 2 Month Guide

What to expect at your two-month visit
Here are a few things your doctor might discuss with you at the two-month visit:

• A 2-month-old is ready to go outside once in a while. It’s an activity you and your baby can enjoy.
• Schedule your post-partum checkup. If you don’t wish to become pregnant right away, you should be using some method of birth control.
• Expect crying to peak at about six weeks, and then gradually reduce at about three months.
• Your baby is probably sleeping for longer stretches. Take advantage of this time to get a nap.

• DTP series (#1)
• Hib (#1)
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (#1 or #2) (birth-4 months)
• Polio (#1)
• Pneumococcal 7-valent #1 (optional)

Today’s Report For Your 2-Month-Old

Child’s name  

Examined by Dr.  

Weight  

%

Length  

%

Head  

%

Hepatitis B

Hib (#1)

Polio vaccine

DTP series (#1)

Pneumococcal 7-valent #1

Feeding your baby
Your 2-month-old is probably starting a more regular feeding schedule. He or she might be going longer between feedings at night. He or she is still receiving all of his or her nutrition from either your breast milk or infant formula. Try to relax and enjoy the warmth and closeness of feeding time with your infant. If your baby seems to be gaining weight and has a wet diaper every few hours, he or she is probably getting enough to eat. Common growth spurts and feeding frenzies occur regularly at ages 4 to 6 days, 10 to14 days, 3 months, and 6 months.

If your baby is spitting up large amounts of milk or formula, he or she might be gulping it down too quickly. Try expressing a little milk before feeding your baby if you are breastfeeding. If you are bottle-feeding, make sure the nipple holes are not too large.

Is my baby ready for solid food?
No. Because your baby can’t chew or digest it, he or she is not yet ready for solid food. Wait until he or she is at least 4 to 6 months old before adding cereal to his or her bottle or introducing solid food. Avoid giving your baby honey until he or she is at least 2 years of age. Honey contains spores that can cause botulism in children younger than 24 months.

Developmental milestones
Keep in mind that children develop at their own rates. These milestones are common to infants at this age, but it is completely normal for your child to reach some quickly and others at a slower rate. Common milestones can include the following.

• Smiles at you and other people they know
• Coos and babbles
• Calms himself or herself by sucking on pacifier or fingers
• Follows faces of moving people
• Lifts chin for a few seconds when lying on tummy
• Grasps toys when placed in hand, holds briefly
• Holds head erect, bobbing, when supported in sitting position
• Responds positively to being held and comforted
• Sleeps for three to four hours at a time
• Stays awake for one hour or longer

Mother’s corner: Returning to work
Just as you’ve settled into to your new lifestyle with your baby, you might be returning to work. Most family leave gives mothers six weeks off before they return to work. Therefore, by your two-month visit, you will probably have some difficult decisions to make.

You might be struggling with guilt or anxiety about leaving your baby. These feelings are normal. Carefully and thoughtfully choose your baby’s care provider. Choose someone with whom you are comfortable, someone who is loving and sensitive to you and your baby. Knowing you’ve chosen the right care provider for your child will relieve some of your tension about leaving him or her. Remember, your baby will always know that his or her parents are the most important people in his or her life.

Bathing
Your baby will begin to enjoy splashing, cooing, and playing during bath time. Always hold or support your baby. Wash his or her scalp and hair every day. Clean only the outer part of baby’s ears. Do not put cotton swabs or anything else into his or her ears. Never leave your baby unattended in the tub. Bring toys into the tub for baby to grab and play with.

Clothing
Keep your baby’s clothes loose and light. Be cautious of strings or buttons on clothing. Make sure they do not pose a danger of choking. Dress your baby as you would feel comfortable dressing. Wash baby’s clothes in mild soap and make sure they are rinsed well.

• Keep your baby out the direct sun. Do not use sunscreen until your baby is at least 6 months old.
• Car safety seats remain necessary. Never set the car seat in the driveway. If you carry the baby and safety seat inside your home, place the seat only on the floor.
• Passenger-side airbags can be hazardous to infants, especially with rear-facing safety seats. Place your baby in a child safety seat in the back seat of the car. Carefully read safety seat instructions to ensure that the seat has been properly installed.
• Turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees, and always check the water before setting your baby in a tub.
• The playpen will become a useful island of safety for your baby over the next month, but walkers should never be used without supervision.
• Be sure that toys are unbreakable, do not come apart, are not sharp, and are larger than your baby’s mouth.
• Do not hold or drink hot liquids while holding your baby.
• Do not smoke around your new baby.
• Do not use strings or cords around your baby’s neck, or near his or her crib.
• Never leave your baby alone in bath water. It only takes a few seconds for a baby to drown.
• Do not leave your baby alone with a young sibling or pet.
• Never leave your baby alone in a place where he or she can roll off of something.

• Rattle, large rings, squeeze or sucking toys
• Music box to listen to when going to sleep
• Bright pictures of faces hung so baby can see them
• Unbreakable mirrors and light
• Activity boxes
• Stuffed animals with firmly attached parts
• Mobile with parts visible from baby’s position

Should I call the doctor?
Yes. If your baby:

• Becomes sluggish or inactive
• Will not eat
• Cries more than usual
• Develops an unusual rash (not prickly heat or diaper rash)
• Has a fever at any age
• Vomits repeatedly (not just spitting up)
• Has frequent loose, watery bowel movements
• Has apnea spells (times when baby stops breathing for long periods)
• Breathes rapidly, wheezes, or has any difficulty breathing

Before you call your child's doctor or nurse, write down your child’s symptoms. Take your child's temperature. Have your pharmacy’s phone number on-hand to tell the doctor. Keep a notepad on hand to write down any instructions.