How your baby is developing: By the second month your baby may be up longer during the day and sleeping longer during the night. Feedings may be every three to four hours instead of every hour and a half. This means more time for play!
Near the beginning of the month, your baby will start to lose that newborn jumpiness that comes with adapting to space and gain more muscle control. They will start to weave their arms now and not be frightened by the movement. Expect to see your baby kicking their legs as if riding a bicycle when they get excited. They may be lifting their head and looking from side to side to follow your face, but they still need you to support their neck.
Your baby will also become more interactive and interested in the world around them. Longer daytime hours mean more time for play! They may start to stare at their hand and reach for dangling toys or parts of your face.
By the end of the month, your baby will start to move around a bit more, maybe even rock from side to side and roll from side to back.
Smiles are the real excitement this month. You may notice when you smile, your baby smiles back. Your baby may even smile spontaneously when gazing up at you.
Keep talking to your baby. Your baby now knows your voice – when you talk, they will look in your direction. They love to hear the excitement in your voice when they do something new. They will start to coo and gurgle more and louder this month. The more attention and interaction they receive from you, the more you will get in return. Let the fun begin!
Fun games and activities to play: Your baby likes to listen to you talk and look at the world around them. This is the month to engage them and show them the world.
- Sit with your baby facing you on your lap and make funny faces. Smile, open your eyes wide and then close them, blink, flex your nostrils, stick out your tongue, nod, shake your head back and forth, and tilt your head to one side. Watch your baby’s reaction. How does your baby respond? With smiles, coo’s, squirming, or mimicking?
- Talk to your baby and allow some time for your baby to respond. When your baby coo’s or gurgles or grunts, repeat the noise with an exclamation or as if posing a question. Taking turns in the conversation teaches your baby how to talk.
- Play music, whether soft lullabies or active children’s songs, cuddle your baby, and move slowly and gently around the room. Your baby likes the sound of music and loves the gentle swaying of being held and rocked.
- Go for walks to give your baby a change of scenery. If it’s too cold outside, head to the local mall.
