Normal Development: 2 Months Old
Here's what you might see your baby doing between the ages
of 2 and 4 months.
Daily Activities
- Crying gradually becomes less frequent.
- Displays greater variety of emotions: distress,
excitement, delight.
- May begin to sleep through the night.
- Smiles, gurgles and coos, particularly when talked to.
- Shows more distress when an adult leaves.
- Quiets down when held or talked to.
- Cannot conceive of an object existing if it cannot be
sensed.
Vision
- Focuses better, but still no more than 12 inches.
- Follows objects by moving head from side to side.
- Prefers brightly colored objects.
Hearing
- Knows difference between male and female voices.
- Knows the difference between angry and friendly voices.
Motor Skills
- Movements become increasingly smoother.
- Lifts chest momentarily when lying on tummy.
- Holds head steady when held or seated with support.
- Discovers hands and fingers.
- Grasps with more control.
- May bat at dangling objects with entire body.
Each child is unique. It is therefore difficult to describe
exactly what should be expected at each stage of a child's
development. While certain behaviors and physical milestones
tend to occur at certain ages, a wide spectrum of growth and
behavior for each age is normal. These guidelines are
offered as a way of showing a general progression through the
developmental stages rather than as fixed requirements for
normal development at specific ages. It is perfectly natural
for a child to attain some milestones earlier and other
milestones later than the general trend.
If you have any concerns related to your child's own pattern
of development, check with your health care provider.
Written by Donna Warner Manczak, PhD, MPH and Robert Brayden, MD.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.