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Brain Builders
Stimulating Activities for Your 2-month-old Baby
By Tammy Morey
In the first few months of your baby's life, most of his energy will be directed toward self-regulatory functions such as sleeping and eating. But with each passing week, they begin to take in more from their environment. Activities for your 2-month-old should focus primarily on face-to-face interactions, touch, head and neck strengthening exercises and developing the core muscles.
In the second month of your baby's life, you'll observe some of the following milestones:
- He's able to focus and track objects as far as 12 inches away. He can recognize and respond to familiar people. He becomes more eager to explore the sights and sounds around him.
- He will delight you with big, wonderful, purposeful, face-to-face smiles.
- He may suck his fingers, fist or a pacifier. For an infant, sucking is associated with pleasure and, therefore, is soothing. Infants often soothe and calm themselves by sucking on their fingers.
- His movements will become more fluid as his control increases, and you will see less of the jerky, random, erratic movements of the newborn (except for when he's upset or hungry).
- His grasp is still a reflex, but he will grab objects that are placed in his palm.
- He may bicycle his legs and wave his arms when placed on his back. He can also twist, flex and arch his body.
- He can bat and swipe at dangling toys. Mobiles are great for this age.
- His communication and social skills will increase daily as he coos and makes happy noises. He is also more aware of sounds around him.
- His head and neck muscles will be getting stronger, especially if you encourage and practice tummy time daily. He can now hold his head up at a 45-degree angle for a brief period of time. When you hold him over your shoulder, you may notice that he can lift his head to look around. These muscles will still need your support, so be careful to guard his head and neck when lifting him and holding him.
- His nighttime sleeping periods may increase.
- He may become more patient with feeding as he becomes more social.
- He may experience colic (unexplained crying).
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