2-Month-Old Baby

What happened to that sleepy baby? Your 2-month-old is probably just starting to realize the joys of interaction, and may have cut back a bit on snoozing so much during the day to stay up and "socialize." Now you're probably trying to figure out how to keep baby entertained—and get stuff done around the house at the same time. This hopefully also means you're getting a little extra sleep at night. (Isn't sleep amazing?!) Not there yet? Don't worry. You will sleep again—and it might be sooner than you think!

You may be settling into your role as a new parent, but there’s a lot to learn about your quickly developing baby. You’ve got questions about your 2-month-old baby, and we’ve got answers. So what do 2-month-old babies understand at this point? Can you let your 2-month-old sleep through the night? And what are all the 2-month-old baby milestones on the horizon? We’re sharing everything you want to know about this exciting stage.

In this article:
2-month-old development
2-month-old health
2-month-old feeding
2-month-old sleep
2-month-old schedule
Activities for a 2-month-old
2-month-old baby checklist and tips

2-Month-Old Development

Two-month-olds can be kind of tough. While baby might be sleeping more, they might be crying more too, especially in the evenings. The good news is, around the six- to eight-week mark is when crying tends to peak in babies, and within the next month or two, you’ll probably notice much less fussy time. Hang in there, ask for help when you need it and talk to baby’s pediatrician if the crying is worrying you.

2-month-old baby weight and length

The average weight of a 2-month-old baby is 11.3 pounds for girls and 12.3 pound for boys. Length (aka height) averages are 22.5 inches for girls and 23 inches for boys, according to the World Health Organization.

It’s normal to wonder how much a 2-month-old should weigh and measure—but always remember that healthy babies vary in size, and don’t get too caught up with comparing your child’s weight to the “average.” Instead, it’s about growth—your 2-month-old should follow a steady upswing on the growth chart at the pediatrician’s office. If they are, then they’re right on track.

Your 2-month-old baby has probably gained around 1.5 to 2 pounds and grown about 1 to 1.5 inches in the past month. Their head could be half an inch bigger too.

2-month-old’s five senses

• Baby’s eyes are moving more and can focus better on objects. In fact, your 2-month-old baby can probably track a moving object, following it with their gaze a full 180 degrees.
• Baby likes to look at more complex patterns than those simple black-and-white ones they were into last month. Consider hanging a mobile above baby’s crib or play mat. So what colors can a 2-month old baby see? Experts aren’t exactly sure which hues are decipherable at this stage, but many believe they can recognize and distinguish between bright shades.
• Do 2-month-old babies recognize their parents? Good news: Yes, babies typically begin recognizing caregivers’ faces between the two- and three-month marks.
• At this point, your 2-month-old baby is starting to realize that voices and faces go together. They may also understand that they can communicate with different kinds of cries. Baby may have a hungry cry that’s different from their sleepy cry. With each passing day, baby begins to learn and understand more about the world around them.
• Baby’s really interested in what you have to say. When you talk, you might notice that your little one is actively listening. They might even try to respond by cooing, or moving their arms and legs in delight at your back-and-forth “conversation.”
• Two-month-old babies are comforted by touch; snuggle time might be their go-to for a while.

2-month-old milestones

Where has the time gone? These last two months may have felt like a total (sleep-deprived) blur. And, quite suddenly, your helpless newborn blob is gaining physical strength and unique traits. Want to know what 2-month-old milestones to expect in the coming days and weeks? There’s a lot on the docket. “What should my 2-month-old be doing?” you ask? Here are some milestones they may be working on:

• Baby’s getting stronger, perhaps lifting their shoulders during tummy time and their head while in a seated position. Give baby plenty of time on their belly, so they can practice lifting their head, which will strengthen the neck muscles!
• Baby’s legs are straightening out, and their kicks are stronger.
• Baby’s movements might start to look less jerky and more fluid. They’re moving a lot, trying out new positions and strengthening and coordinating those muscles.
• Baby’s becoming more aware and playful with their hands. Your little one may have started self-soothing by sucking those itty-bitty fists.
• Baby has gradually become a social butterfly, responding to you with gurgles, coos, ahhs and ohhs and even smiles.
• Look out for your cutie’s first smile. This is a major 2-month-old baby milestone you won’t want to miss. At this age, baby might begin responding to social interactions with a big gummy grin. (Be prepared to swoon!)

2-Month-Old Health

As your 2-month-old baby continues to grow and develop—physically and in personality—it’s easy to find yourself wondering if every little change and symptom is normal. Here are some common health concerns parents of 2-month-olds have:

• Teething. Can a 2-month-old teeth? Yes, actually! There’s a super-wide age range in which babies can start teething, and it’s not impossible. However, it’s much more common for this to occur closer to the four- to six-month mark. Check with a doctor to know for sure.
• Pooping. How often should a 2-month-old poop? Well, it’s complicated! Formula-fed babies tend to poop once or twice a day; breastfed babies can poop that often—or they can go up to seven days without pooping and be perfectly healthy! Instead of frequency, look out for consistency (ah, the joys of parenthood!). If your 2-month-old is constipated, the poop will come out in hard balls. Here’s how to help a constipated baby. On the other hand, if your 2-month-old has diarrhea, it will be runny, watery or more frequent than usual. Here’s how to help a baby with diarrhea.
• Coughing. In a 2-month-old baby, coughing could be caused by a number of things, including the common cold. Here’s lots of info on treating coughing in babies.

2-Month-Old Feeding

Whether you’re bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, getting baby fed is still probably taking up a large part of the day. Continue to follow baby’s hunger signals (smacking lips, sucking, that cry!), and when they’re full (turns away from the bottle, gets distracted, falls asleep), you can feel reassured that baby’s well nourished.

How much should a 2-month-old eat?

• Bottle feeding: How much formula should you give a 2-month-old baby? Your bottle-fed baby probably feeds every three to four hours, and is likely taking in about four to five ounces at each session. Just like adults, they might have a meal where they’re extra hungry or don't eat much at all. That’s normal.
• Breastfeeding: How often should a 2-month-old nurse? About every two to three hours. If your baby is sleeping longer stretches than they used to (lucky you!) there’s no need to wake them up to feed. Baby will tell you when they’re hungry!

2-month-old feeding schedule

What can a 2-month-old baby eat this month?

Two-month-olds should still be sticking to just breast milk or formula for feedings. One common question is: Can you give a 2-month-old water? And the answer is no. An exception is if your baby’s pediatrician has recommended it because of a medical reason. Both solid foods and water can be introduced around the six-month mark—give or take. Talk to the pediatrician to decide when might be the right time for your baby.

2-Month-Old Sleep

Ready, set, wake! Sleep is still hard to come by, but your baby is making strides (even if it doesn’t feel that way at 3 a.m.).

How much should a 2-month-old sleep?

A typical 2-month-old baby sleeps about 15-and-a-half hours per day. It’s common for babies at this age to sleep about eight-and-a-half hours at night (yes, it’s probably still interrupted sleep—that’s okay) and to have about three naps that total about seven hours of daytime sleep.

How long should a 2-month-old sleep?

Duration of sleep for a 2-month-old baby can vary widely from baby to baby, but some parents report that their babies are sleeping for five- to six-hour stretches at night. (Yay!)

Can you let your 2-month-old sleep through the night?

Baby probably still wakes up a couple of times in the wee hours to feed. But if they’re managing to sleep through the night, go ahead and let them. Studies have found that at the two-month mark, baby might start sleeping longer stretches. Keep in mind, their sleep schedule may not align with yours just yet though.

Can you sleep-train a 2-month-old?

If baby isn’t sleeping well, you may be wondering if sleep-training a 2-month-old is possible. Sorry to say though that most doctors will tell you to wait until baby is at least 3 to 4 months old. That’s when many babies tend to naturally feed less at night and have more established sleep patterns.

You can, of course, start getting baby ready for sleep-training now. That could mean starting to put baby down for naps and bedtime in their crib when they’re sleepy but still awake. It’s important for baby to learn to fall asleep without your help—that’s the skill they’ll need to sleep through the night without waking you.

Why is my 2-month-old fighting sleep?

Now that your 2-month-old baby is becoming more social, you might find they want to stay awake for longer stretches. This is totally fine and normal but unfortunately, some babies stay awake longer than they should and get overtired. An overtired baby is a cranky baby who’s harder to get to sleep!

Why is my 2-month-old sleeping a lot?

If your 2-month-old is sleeping all day, they could have their days and nights confused. Or perhaps baby is sick! There are several reasons for baby to be extra sleepy during the day. Talk to your pediatrician if you’re concerned.

2-month-old sleep schedule

2-Month-Old Schedule

At 2 months old, baby is still really following a pattern more than a schedule, but you should continue to enforce that pattern, so your child gets into daily habits and starts to anticipate what’s coming next. This will set them up for being in a more distinct routine when they’re a bit older.

2-month-old schedule example

A 2-month-old’s daily schedule might look something like this:

Activities for a 2-Month-Old

Two-month-olds are sort of like helpless blobs of cuteness. And while they may not be able to do a lot at this stage, you can find a few fun ways to engage them. Here are some ideas to kick start early playtime:

• Baby talk. Continue having conversations with your 2-month-old baby, encouraging them to coo and babble. These interactions are precious and priceless, and they help foster a strong bond between you and your sweetheart. Continue to make silly faces at baby and watch their reactions change.
• Try going for a stroll. Your wee one loves fresh air and a change of scenery. Plus, it’ll do you some good too!
• Try a play gym. A playmat gives a 2-month-old baby a safe place to explore and lots of close-up visuals to enjoy.
• Read to baby. Continue to build baby’s library of picture books and board books. Yes, baby is still very young at 2 months old, but making reading an early habit will help establish a routine and foster those all-important early language skills.

2-Month-Old Baby Checklist and Tips

• Take baby to their two-month checkup and ask about the important 2-month baby milestones.
• Ask the doctor about supplementing with vitamin D drops if you’re breastfeeding.
• Check baby’s vaccine schedule; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the pneumococcal (PCV13), DTaP, Hib, poliovirus and Rotavirus immunizations at the two-month visit. Baby may also need a second dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine, if they didn’t get it last month. These important vaccines keep baby healthy; talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about anything.
• Schedule baby’s four-month checkup.
• Keep giving baby regular tummy time to work those neck and arm muscles. Your little one is obviously still quite young, but getting them comfortable with tummy time will help them gain strength and foster skills that will eventually encourage rolling and crawling.
• Does baby seem cranky? Try giving them a gentle massage to encourage relaxation. This is a great way to bond and calm baby down.
• Take baby’s 2-month-old baby milestone photo.

Two-month-old babies will be hitting milestones left and right. This is an exciting time to watch baby as they begin to interact with the world. In the next few weeks, they might start lifting their little head and gaining eye-hand coordination. Our advice? Keep your camera close so you can capture all the special 2-month-old moments to come.