Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • Suitable for 1-2Months

At two months

What your newborn may be able to do at two months

 
If your baby seems not to have reached one or more of the developmental milestones listed, check with your doctor or maternal and child health nurse. In rare instances the delay could indicate a problem, though in most cases it will turn out to be normal for your baby. Premature infants generally reach milestones later than others of the same birth age, often achieving them closer to the adjusted age (the age they would be if they had been born at term), and sometimes later.

The 2nd month

By the end of this month, your baby:

… should be able to:

  • smile in response to your smile
  • follow an object in an arc about 15 cm above the face to the midline (straight ahead)
  • respond to a bell in some way, such as startling, crying, quieting
  • vocalise in ways other than crying (e.g. cooing)

… will probably be able to:

  • on stomach, lift head 45 degrees
  • follow an object in an arc about 15 cm above the face past the midline (straight ahead)

… may even be able to:

  • hold head steady when upright
  • on stomach, raise chest, supported by arms
  • roll over (one way)
  • grasp a rattle held to backs or tips of fingers
  • pay attention to a raisin or other very small object
  • reach for an object
  • say ah goo or similar vowel consonant combination

… may possibly be able to:

  • smile spontaneously
  • bring both hands together
  • on stomach, lift head 90 degrees
  • laugh out loud
  • squeal in delight
  • follow an object in an arc about 15 cm above the face for 180 degrees (from one side to the other)