Your life with a 2-month-old may still feel like one long blur of feedings, diaper changes and brief bursts of restful sleep, as you adjust to life with this little person in your life. That new parent fog makes days blur together; often leaving no idea which day it is or why your car keys ended up in the refrigerator! However, now is an excellent opportunity to establish some form of daily schedule – which benefits both you and baby alike.
According to Tovah Klein, PhD, director of Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive”, routines can help even 2-month-old infants anticipate what comes next in their day.
Dr. Klein notes that predictability helps babies feel secure, calm and trust their caregivers more. When babies follow successful routines – bath, song and feeding all are successful activities which help their mind systematically check off a checklist – then their sleeping is easier too!
Establish a solid base of love between family members, friends and peers as your child grows older – giving your 2-month-old the necessary tools for future social interactions and healthy esteem development. Here is more how you can assist their growth:
Sensory Activities for 2-Month-Old Babies
At two months old, your kiddo will become increasingly interested in pictures and objects; their hand-eye coordination should begin developing soon too! At this stage in development, their primary source of entertainment should still be you: keep singing songs to them, making silly faces with you or engaging them through play – these activities keep their brain active while providing sensory play opportunities!
Babywearing Securing your infant close through babywearing is one way to help ease discomfort and decrease crying, providing added skin-to-skin contact while doing other chores and taking care of other kids or simply strolling outdoors. We guarantee it’ll put baby to sleep perfectly soundly during his/her nap time- and provide some great extra contact!
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Tracking Objects Now is an ideal time for children with developing focus to try tracking objects. Hold a toy or rattle about 12-18 inches away and slowly move it from left to right while watching how their eyes follow it.
Singing
Your baby loves hearing your voice and your singing (even if it’s off key!). Try weaving some sweet songs and lullabies into every part of the day: kitchen prep, car rides, bath time washing up or bedtime preparation: any musical interaction provides benefits to little ears!
Related Article: Milestones at two months: An update
Discover developmental activities designed specifically to nurture two month old babies this month. Here are a few suggestions of developmental activities you can introduce your little one to during this month.
Reach and Grab
Your little one might soon be learning how to grasp objects, as well as opening and closing their hands. Help them reach for toys they like so when they shake it they realize it moves because of them! Soon, as their shaking makes the toy move and rattle with movement they may begin realizing what effect this has.
Stretch It Out
After spending nine months developing in its mother’s womb, your little one deserves some TLC in terms of stretching their body out and reaching their arms out wide or overhead for a good clap and reaching forwards with them to stretch them further outwards or overhead. Encourage movement from their lower body by gently pedaling or stretching legs out long ways as though pedaling a bicycle.
Tummy Time
Tummy time sessions might lengthen a little more this month–try making them enjoyable by reading aloud or singing aloud while they explore. As with every nap and bedtime sleep session, infants should remain alert during tummy time sessions before returning onto their backs for napping and night time resting periods.
Related Article: 14 scientific-backed strategies to lower SIDS risk in newborns
What to Do with a 2-Month Old
From story time to playtime, these weekly tips from child development psychologist Dr. Holly Ruhl can help make this month easier on everyone involved.
Week 1
Establishing early reading can boost language development and strengthen parent-child bonds. Take 20 minutes out for reading by visiting your local library or bookstore story time sessions – you won’t regret this activity as your toddler develops their love of books while mother and child develop stronger ties!
Week 2
Infants tend to enjoy gazing upon faces. Spend some time each day gazing upon those staring back from behind the mirror! Make silly faces and name features of baby’s facial features in front of him or her in order to help build self-recognition that may later develop into self-confidence in children.
Week 3
As your little bundle continues to develop its hand-eye coordination, increase interaction between baby and their environment by encouraging interaction between you and baby’s intriguing environment. Encourage pet care; gently stroke household animals. Dangle textured toys for baby to play with or lay baby down on an activity gym and watch intently as she seeks toys overhead!
Week 4
Are family and friends anxiously anticipating cuddling up with the new addition? Bring her into visit your loved ones so she can meet new faces, voices and play styles – this can also provide valuable social support that allows you to rest easier knowing she will be taken care of while you rest up!