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2 MONTH BABY DEVELOPMENT |
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2 MONTHS DEVELOPMENT: By six to eight weeks of age, babies become very conscious of your presence. Their eyes begin to focus and they will watch objects moving in front of them, and may bat at them. They become social and they will finally give you your reward when they give you a big smile. They may also start to coo and chuckle and you may seem to carry a "conversation" with them. Some start to scoot around in the crib and by four months of age they may be starting to roll over. It is a good idea to put babies into their cribs while they are still awake. This way they learn to put themselves to sleep. Try to keep the bedroom dark at night, even while feeding, to help them keep night and day straight. A few babies will begin sleeping through the night at two months of age. Remember to read aloud to your baby. FEEDING: Formula or breast milk continues to be the only thing babies need to eat. Cereals and other solids do not need to be started until four to six months of age. Breast fed babies are still eating every three hours. As they get good at emptying the breast the feedings may become shorter and less frequent. Formula fed babies may be at about a quart of formula per day. Let them drink as much as they want but see to their other needs as well so that feeding isn't a substitute for affection. PREVENTION: Your babies may be rolling and scooting unexpectedly, so don't leave them unattended on high places. Babies should never be left alone in water. No smoking near babies. Watch it with hot drinks around them and use the car seat at all times for riding in the car. You may want to review some other ACCIDENT PREVENTION measures. WELL BABY CHECKUP: Your baby's doctor will again want to make sure baby is eating well and development seems to be occurring normally. Please take the 2 MONTH MILESTONES ASSESSMENT for your baby and bring the answers to your babies doctor to help facilitate this discussion. Hepatits B #2, the first polio shot (IPV), Haemophilus Influenza Type B (HIB), and Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis = Whooping Cough (DTaP) are generally given at 2 months though concurrent illness or other factors may alter this schedule. Please view the current RECOMMENDED VACCINE SCHEDULE. These shots have very few reactions, usually just some tenderness at the site of the injection. The new DTaP is safer than the old DTP. Still some babies may have a reaction to it, usually fussing and crying. Tylenol may be used every four hours for comfort until the next morning. If you notice severe high-pitched crying, fainting or fevers higher that 103 degrees you should contact the baby's doctor. Written by Greg Clark, MD and Mark Ludes, DO |
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