TWO MONTHS
Now aren’t things going better than last visit? If things are really going smoothly,
you may even have managed one or two brief conversations that aren’t about the baby,
the chores, and schedule! Whether or not this has happened, remember to start now, if
you haven’t already, to set aside time together AS A COUPLE. Arrange a date-even an
ice cream cone and a walk- at least once a week. (THIS IS A DOCTOR’S ORDER!)
By this age, most babies have learned to communicate fairly well: parents can tell pain
cries from hunger cries from boredom cries. Probably your baby smiles a lot, and makes
a lot of weird faces-tongue out, eyes rolling, nose wrinkled-that inspire you to make
weird faces back. Some babies have started to laugh or screech. It’s often hard to tell
just what a laugh is, and its fun to watch the baby practice at it.
EMOTIONAL:
 Again, learning to TRUST is the main emotional and developmental task now. It
is still important to tend to the baby as soon as possible after he or she begins to
cry; to play and cuddle and talk to the baby unstintingly. You can’t spoil a baby at
this age.
 On the other hand, you may not always be able to help the baby’s cries. Many
babies this age seem frustrated. They want to do more than they can do: roll over,
reach out and grab, communicate more accurately. Every now and then a baby
will just have to vent frustration in a good cry. That’s ok, and normal.
FEEDING:
 Babies this age are best off on breast milk, and/or formula. If your baby is
nursing only, the extra water he or she needs on hot days should come from the
MOTHER’S extra water intake.
 Formula-fed babies should now start on an iron-enriched formula if they have not
already done so.
 If the baby takes a lot of formula, offer extra water-two ounces twice a day- on
hot or dry days. (REMEMBER A COOL STEAM HUMIDIFIER USED
JUDICIOUSLY HELPS BABIES RETAIN BODY WATER. IT ALSO KEEPS
EVERYBODY’S MUCOUS MEMBRANES MOISTER, MORE
COMFORTABLE AND MORE ABLE TO FIGHT DISEASE). Please do not
start any solid foods nor give any juices unless advised to do so by your doctor.
SLEEPING: Most babies don’t start to really sleep through the night until about 11
pounds of weight, or 8 to 12 weeks of age. Certainly, though, a term baby should be
sleeping at least four-hour stretches at night. If this isn’t happening, let your doctor
know.
SAFETY: Some babies start rolling from tummy to back at this early age. Never leave
the baby on anything he or she could roll off of. Also, beware of sun exposure-the
slightest pinking of skin means a real burn. If you are using a microwave to warm or
thaw a bottle, remember that hot spots can occur in the fluid. Let the bottle sit for a
minute and swirl it around, then test it on the inside of your wrist. For safety in using hot
water from the tap in bathing, turn your hot water tank thermostat down to 125 or 130
degrees.
COMING UP BEFORE THE NEXT VISIT AT FOUR MONTHS:
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-You still can’t spoil the baby, so go ahead and hold and play as much as you
want. Schedules are good for both of you, but can be flexible within reason.
-Your baby has probably discovered his or her hands; over the next two months,
the ears. If the baby seems otherwise well, batting at BOTH ears does not mean a
possible ear infection.
-Many babies don’t like to be place on their tummies, but it’s a good idea to
exercise in that position each day. Get right down on the floor (on a sheet) with
him or her, so that baby has incentive to do those push-ups.
-Around for months, babies start to bat at objects. Now is a good time to get a
safe, battable, mobile for the crib. And watch out for your nose, eyeglasses, and
earrings (especially pierced).
Baby’s Name:
Length:
Date of Visit:
Weight:
Comments on Office Visit:
Next check up is at four months of age.
Give Infant Tylenol just before coming.
Bring Immunization card.
Head Circ: