By Alison Heyerdahl

The eight-week mark is usually an exciting milestone for new parents.  At this stage, you may notice that your baby occasionally flashes you an adorable smile and is beginning to recognize different faces.  You've also made it through the toughest stage of newborn parenting, with the sleepless nights, learning how to breast (or bottle) feed, and adjusting to a new family dynamic.  You'll be glad to know that within four to six weeks; your baby will begin to sleep through the night (or at least give you a bigger break between feeds) and learns new skills every day. 

Disclaimer: At Leva, we use ‘he’ or ‘she’ interchangeably to denote when we are referring to a baby.  This is to ensure a flow in the writing and to reduce the need to write ‘he or she’ every time we refer to the baby.  The same applies to ‘his’ or ‘her’. 

We also know there are many different types of families, and we recognize that many people parent alone.  Some children are parented by same-sex parents, and/or those who live within an extended family.  Please read our articles, adapting them as necessary to your particular situation, without taking offense at any specificities that do not apply. 

How has my baby changed?

Your baby has grown exponentially over the last eight weeks, and she probably looks completely different from what she did as a newborn.  See below for some interesting two-month-old stats:

• On average, eight-week-old babies have grown one to two inches in length.

• They have gained two to four pounds in weight.

• They have gained around 4 cm in head circumference. 

Keep in mind that these are averages.  Some babies grow faster, and others may grow slower (especially if they were born prematurely).

What are the two-month-old milestones?

As mentioned previously, some babies will develop quicker, and others will have a slower development trajectory.  It does not mean there is something wrong with your baby.  Developmental milestones are merely a guide for the order in which development is expected to occur. 

Body development:

• As mentioned previously, your baby will likely have gained at least two to four pounds since birth.  Babies take on a more “rounded” or chubby appearance because they don’t move around much, and their muscles are still developing.  On average, two-month-old baby boys weigh-in at 12.3 pounds, and baby girls are around 11.3 pounds. 

• The fontanelles (or bones on top of the baby's head) are completely fused by the time your baby hits the two-month mark. Don't worry if you notice that there is still a visible gap; some baby's fontanelles only fuse at the three-month mark, and even later if they were born prematurely.  Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the fusing of the fontanelles.

• At this stage, you will notice that your baby has more control over her body.  You will notice that in addition to holding her head upright, she can make more intentional movements.    

Cognitive development:

• One of the most exciting developments of your baby’s life so far is being able to smile.  If she hasn’t started yet, she will soon.  Keep your camera ready to capture that first smiley moment.

• Your baby will begin to pay more attention to faces.  Faces fascinate babies because they realize that different expressions provide different feedback for their own behavior.  As parents, we naturally over-dramatize our facial expressions because we notice that it is a way to keep our babies engaged.  This has the double effect of enhancing our baby’s development as they try and mimic our facial gestures. 

• Your baby will also begin to track objects with her eyes and will begin to recognize people. 

Physical development:

• She begins to lift her head while she is on her tummy.  You may also notice that your baby can hold her head up independently when holding her in an upright position. 

• Your baby will also be able to make smoother, more intentional movements with her arms and legs. 

Language/Communication:

• At the two-month mark, you will notice that your baby coos and makes sounds such as ah goo.  Talking to your baby has been found to be one of the best ways to promote language development.  Some experts suggest talking to your baby about what you’re doing all through the day.

• Your baby will also turn her head towards different sounds. 

Sleep:

• Your baby requires in the region of 16 hours sleep a day.  Some babies may sleep slightly more (especially if they were born prematurely), while others sleep slightly less.

• Your baby will take three to four naps a day.  Some take shorter, more frequent naps, while other sleep longer, fewer times a day. 

• You can continue to offer your baby a pacifier for sleep times.  In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a pacifier to reduce the incidence of SIDS.

Feeding:

• You will likely have fallen into a good feeding pattern with your baby at this stage.  Breastfed babies still require around 7 – 9 feeds a day, every 1.5 to 3 hours.  As she gets older, she will nurse less often and may have a more predictable schedule. 

• Bottle-fed babies tend to drink 4 – 5 ounces (120ml – 150ml) at each feeding, and the feedings maybe every 3 – 4 hours.

When should I be concerned?

You may want to consult with your doctor if you notice that your baby:

• Is not gaining weight or is not feeding well.

• Is showing no signs of facial recognition.  Your baby will show signs of recognition, such as kicking her legs or ”lighting up” when she sees your face.  Consult your doctor if this is not the case. 

• Does not respond to loud noises.

• Doesn't look at moving objects.

• Doesn't bring her hands to her mouth.

• Doesn't try and lift her head during tummy time.

Although the above-mentioned issues may signal a developmental delay or some other developmental issue, remember that babies develop in their own time.  Furthermore, if your baby was born prematurely, realize that they may need to catch up developmentally.