Your Child's Checkup: 2 Months
What to Expect During This Visit
Your doctor and/or nurse will probably:
1. Check your baby's weight, length, and head circumference and
plot the measurements on the growth
charts.
2. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about how
your baby is:
Feeding.
Your baby might be going longer between feedings now, but will still have times when
he or she wants to eat more. Most babies this age breastfeed about eight times in
a 24-hour period or drink about 26–28 ounces (780–840 ml) of formula a
day.
Peeing and pooping. Babies should have several wet diapers
a day and tend to have fewer poopy diapers. Breastfed babies' stools should be soft
and may be slightly runny. Formula-fed babies' stools tend to be a little firmer,
but should not be hard.
Sleeping. Your baby will probably begin to stay awake for longer
periods and be more alert during the day, sleeping
more at night. Breastfed babies may have a 4- to 5-hour stretch at night, and formula
fed babies may go 5 to 6 hours between feedings. Waking up at night to be fed is normal.
Developing. By 2 months, it's common for many babies to:
- focus and track faces and objects from one side to the other
- be alert to sounds
- recognize parents' faces and voices
- gurgle and coo (say "ooh" and "ah")
- smile in response to being talked to, played with, or smiled at
- lift their head up while lying on their belly
- grasp a rattle placed within the hand
There's a wide range of normal, and children develop at different rates. Talk to
your doctor if you're concerned about your child's development.
3. Do a physical
exam with your baby undressed while you are present. This will include
an eye exam, listening to your baby's heart and feeling pulses, checking hips, and
paying attention to your baby's movements.
4. Do screening tests. Your doctor will review
the screening tests from the hospital and repeat tests, if needed.
5. Update immunizations. Immunizations
can protect infants from serious childhood illnesses, so it's important that your
baby receive them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office,
so talk to your doctor about what to expect.
Looking Ahead
Here are some things to keep in mind until your baby's next routine checkup at
4 months:
Feeding
- Do not introduce solids (including infant cereal) or juice. Breast milk or formula
is still all your baby needs.
- Pay attention to signs that your baby is hungry or full.
- If you breastfeed:
- If possible, breastfeed exclusively (no formula, other fluids, or solids) for
6 months. If desired, pumped
breast milk may be given in a bottle.
- If you plan to go back to work soon, introduce the bottle now to get your baby
used to bottle-feeding.
- Ask your doctor about vitamin
D drops for your baby.
- Continue to take a daily prenatal vitamin or multivitamin.
- If formula-feeding, give iron-fortified formula.
- If your baby takes a bottle of breast milk or formula:
- Do not prop your baby's bottle.
- Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle.
Routine Care
- Wash your
hands before handling the baby and avoid people who may be sick.
- Hold your baby and be attentive to his or her needs.
You can't spoil a baby.
- Sing, talk, and read
to your baby. Babies learn best by interacting with people.
- Give your baby supervised "tummy time" when awake. Always supervise
your baby and be ready to help if he or she gets tired or frustrated in this position.
- Limit the amount of time your baby spends in an infant seat, bouncer,
or swing.
- It's normal for infants to have fussy periods, but for some,
crying can be excessive, lasting several hours a day. If a baby develops colic,
it usually starts in an otherwise well baby at around 3 weeks, peaks around 6 weeks,
and improves by 3 months.
- It's common for new moms to feel tired and overwhelmed at times. But if these
feelings are intense, or you
feel sad, moody, or anxious, call your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your living situation.
Do you have the things that you need to take care of your baby? Do you have enough
food, a safe place to live, and health
insurance? Your doctor can tell you about community resources or refer you to
a social worker.
Safety
- To reduce the risk of sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS):
- Let your baby sleep in your room in a bassinet or crib next to the bed until your
baby's first birthday or for at least 6 months, when the risk of SIDS is highest.
- Always place your baby to sleep on a firm mattress on his or her back in a
crib or bassinet without any crib bumpers, blankets, quilts, pillows, or plush
toys.
- Avoid overheating by keeping the room temperature comfortable.
- Don't overbundle your baby.
- Consider putting your baby to sleep sucking on a pacifier.
- Don't use an infant walker. They're dangerous
and can cause serious injuries. Walkers also do not encourage walking and may actually
hinder it.
- Soon, your baby will be reaching, grasping, and moving things to his or her mouth,
so keep small objects and harmful substances out
of reach. Keep your baby away from cords, wires, and toys with loops or strings.
- While your baby is awake, don't leave your little one unattended,
especially on high surfaces or in the bath.
- Never shake your baby — it can cause bleeding
in the brain and even death.
- Always put your baby in a rear-facing car
seat in the back seat. Never leave your baby alone in
the car.
- Don't smoke or use e-cigarettes. Don't let anyone else smoke
or vape around your baby.
- Avoid sun exposure
by keeping your baby covered and in the shade when possible. Sunscreens are not recommended
for infants younger than 6 months. However, you may use a small amount of sunscreen
on an infant younger than 6 months if shade and clothing don't offer enough protection.
These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines.
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