DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING: MILESTONES TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN YOUR BABY IS 2 MONTHS OLD

A child’s growth does not only include their physical appearance; it incorporates your kiddo’s social, language, and mental skills too.  Milestones are the new accomplishments that a child has at every age. Do you have a newborn? Most babies reach the following milestones at two months old!

• Begins to smile at people
• Can briefly calm himself (may bring hands to mouth and suck on hand)
• Tries to look at parent
• Coos, makes gurgling sounds
• Turns head toward sounds
• Pays attention to faces
• Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at a distance
• Begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activity doesn’t change
• Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy
• Makes smoother movements with arms and legs

Are you concerned that your child isn’t reaching the appropriate milestones? Tell your child’s doctor or nurse if your child doesn’t respond to loud sounds, doesn’t follow objects with eyes, doesn’t smile, doesn’t bring hands to mouth, or can’t hold their heads up when pushing on stomach. You can dial 2-1-1 to find support services and professionals in your area who can help you. You can also use our online developmental screening locator to find which practices in your area are providing screening services.

Developmental screening is a test that doctors use to find out early if a child’s growth is on track. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children get screened at 9, 18, 24, 30 months and every year thereafter. Help more families get screening for their child by sharing these sample tweets and Facebook posts about developmental screening!