Your 2-Month-Old Baby 

At 2 months, your baby is coming to their “senses” in the best sense, continuing to take it all in and share it back out in ways that make each new day special for you both.  

Feeding schedule: At 2 months of age, your baby will likely be drinking 4 to 5 fl oz of formula or breast milk, 5-6 times a day.

Break the sounds barriers: Your baby loves to hear you. Speaking and talking to them is a great way to help build their language skills. Background sounds from the radio or TV can get in the way, so turn them down or off to help your baby’s language development. 

Your baby is getting to know you—and vice versa.
While still in the womb, your baby used some of their senses to get to know you. Now, they’re taking in everything in their “outside” world. They’ll be using this information to begin to communicate with you as best they can.  

All babies are fussy and gassy at times. If your baby has more frequent fussiness and gas than you think is normal, they could have milk protein sensitivity.^* Reactions can include:  

• Skin rashes 
• Watery stools 
• Irritability 

If these reactions occur, contact your healthcare provider. They can determine if your baby should be fed a special formula such as Similac^® Alimentum^®  or, if you breastfeed, whether you should eliminate dairy from your diet. 

All babies develop at different rates. You shouldn’t be concerned that your baby does something later or earlier than other children. 

By the end of your baby's second month, they will likely be able to do the following:  

• Smile when you touch or talk to them 
• React to loud sounds by startling, crying, or getting very quiet 
• No longer keep their hands in tight fists 
• Begin recognizing you and your partner as parents 
• Be able to lift their chest off the floor using their forearms for support 

Your baby cannot speak yet, but their body is speaking to you loud and clear, if you know what to look for. 

Seeking ways to adapt to the world. Sleeping is an example of one way your baby is learning to organize their life. When they’re tired, “turning off their world” is a way to conserve energy for growth.  

Giving you permission and feedback. Watch closely, and your baby will show you through their body language how much or how little stimulation they can handle. When they are ready for talking, feeding, singing, or playing, their reactions will say so—or they will tell you they’ve had enough for now. 

Some things to know about your baby’s sleep patterns and tips for smoothing them out:

• Your baby will probably sleep for shorter periods during the day and longer  stretches at night.
• To help them get used to falling back to sleep on their own, gently place them down in the crib while they're groggy but still awake.
• Keep your rooms and interaction bright and lively during the day.
• Keep rooms and interaction dim and calm in the evening.

To learn about infant sleep safety, or if you have questions about SIDS, read more at the American Academy of Pediatrics.   

By month 3, your baby can grasp a toy with their hands and grab your attention with new sounds. Read ahead to learn more about what you can look forward to in Month 3.

* Consult a healthcare professional if a milk protein sensitivity is suspected, and before changing baby formulas.