Month 2
Key points
- Milk is the sole source of nutrition, with Human Milk Oligosaccharides (also known as HMOs) in breast milk playing an important role.
- You may notice your baby starting to take more interest in and responding to the world around them.
- Tummy time increases your bub’s back and neck strength to support their head, helping them engage with their surroundings.
Welcome to your second month as a new family! At two months old, your baby is developing fast and reaching the first of many milestones. Learn more about your baby’s second month and how you can support their growth and development.
In your baby’s first eight weeks, you will notice so many changes and experience so many firsts. It can be surprising to look at photos from a few weeks ago to see how different they are. Yes, you’re still on the sleep-wake-feed cycle but life with your newborn may have taken on a clearer rhythm.
Your baby at two months old
At about eight weeks old, a baby’s ability to smile when their favourite people are close by is a heart-warming milestone.
They can see up to about 20–25 centimetres (8–10 inches), which is about the distance of your face when you are nursing them. Smiles often start at around four to six weeks, so now you can finally celebrate the fact that gorgeous smiles are NOT wind.
Their early communication skills are developing fast this month as they might start to coo or make simple sounds, respond by squirming or wriggling when you approach, and they might also lift their head to take in more of the world around them.
Parents in this month
By now, you may be starting to feel like you’ve adapted to new parent life and found ways to manage the newborn phase – and if you haven’t, that’s okay too! Your six-week postpartum checkup is a great opportunity to discuss with your healthcare provider any concerns you might have post-birth. Nutrition and sleep still play a huge part in your postpartum recovery, so eat foods to fuel your body, like chicken and low-fat dairy products, which are good sources of lean protein.
Mum’s Nutritional Tip: Iron is important for new mums as pregnancy uses up your reserves. Build up your iron by eating a diet rich in lean red meat, chicken and fish, legumes, whole grain bread, nuts and seeds, and leafy greens. Keep avoiding sugary and caffeinated drinks, and alcohol too, as these all pass through your breast milk. Aim to drink two litres of water a day, especially if you are breastfeeding.
Development milestones – two-month-old baby
Nutrition in the second month
Milk continues to be your baby’s sole food source (breast, mixed or formula feeding). If breastfeeding, your supply starts to stabilise and, amazingly, the body creates ‘milk on demand’ as and when a baby needs it. By four to six weeks, you may start to feel at ease with breastfeeding, or you may still be finding this a little challenging. Hang in there! While your body is nourishing your baby, it’s around this time that you may start to feel more confident in feeding – the positions, process and routine.
Did you know…?
Breast milk continues to adjust to your two-month-old baby’s needs, increasing supply during growth spurts, and changing nutritional content between and even during feeds.
Breast milk facts
Ever wondered what breast milk is made up of? Here are five facts you might not know about this incredible food:
- Breast milk is made up of the macronutrients protein, fat and lactose, which remain much the same regardless of the breastfeeding mum’s nutrition.
- Lactose is the main carbohydrate in breast milk and it’s an important energy source (after fat).
- Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) are the second most abundant carbohydrate. There are more than 200 types found in breast milk. These are also prebiotics, which help promote the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in a baby’s gut.
- HMOs support the immune system by boosting immune and inflammation responses.
- The oligosaccharides in human breast milk are different from those of any other mammal.
Did you know?
If you are not breastfeeding, some infant formulas now contain added HMOs (eg 2′-FL and LnNT). You can ask your healthcare professional for advice about what product would be suitable for your child.
Weight and height of an eight-week-old baby
Take a look back at pics of your newborn – just eight short weeks ago. Haven’t they grown! You might find that they are quickly growing out of their adorable newborn outfits and sleepsuits and you’re moving them up a size. Perhaps they’ve outgrown their newborn nappies, too. Remember that the ‘average’ size of your baby at two months old is exactly that – an average; some will grow faster, some will grow slower. At this age, your baby may:
- Weigh about 5.1 kg (girl) or about 5.6 kg (boy)
- Be about 57.1 cm tall (girl) or about 58.4 cm tall (boy)
Baby’s mental and visual milestones at 8 weeks
By two months you may find that your baby is taking more notice of what’s going on around them. At this age, your baby might take more interest in older siblings or family pets, and they might be engaged by simple black-and-white or brightly coloured toys or objects.
As your baby hits the two-month mark, you might notice that they:
- Watch you as you move around near them
- Look at a toy or object for several seconds
- Calm down when you talk to them
Baby’s motor development
Think back to how much your little one moved in your tummy! As they continue to grow, they might be showing signs of just how much they love to move. If you haven’t started tummy time yet, it’s a great way to help them see the world from a different angle as well as help strengthen various back and neck muscles to support their head. Try resting them on their tummy, head away from your body, on your closed legs, or pop them on your chest as you recline slightly.
Physically, at two months, your baby may:
- Show better head control, lifting it from time to time
- Begin to swipe objects with their hands
- Become aware of their own fingers
Social milestones at two months old
In the early stages of parenthood, there’s nothing quite like getting those first smiles from your newborn! Their social skills are growing with their awareness of the world around them. There’s no stopping them now Here’s what your baby might be doing at two months:
- Smile in response to your smile
- Make sounds other than crying, like cooing
- Show recognition of parents by punching their arms in the air or kicking with their legs
- React to loud sounds
Did you know…?
The cooing stage is important as this is the time when your baby starts to develop control of the muscles needed for talking.
Don’t forget!
It’s important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace. Regular checkups with your health nurse or GP will be able to ensure your baby is on track – but always get in touch with them sooner if you have any concerns. For extra resources, you can also head to Karitane or Tresillian online.
What’s next?
Every month just gets better and better as your little one grows and changes in some unexpected ways. From nine to 12 weeks, here’s what might be in store for you!
Read on to learn about your baby’s development milestones and nutritional needs in month three.
We are here to support you on your journey
Making decisions around infant feeding can be challenging and we hope we can help you through this journey.
Our company has voluntarily signed the industry code of Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas (‘The MAIF Agreement’). As part of this commitment, we want to make sure you are informed and supported.
Before and during breastfeeding, it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet and it is recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of age, as it provides ideal nutrition and promotes a healthy start in life.
We understand breastfeeding is not always possible, and when necessary, infant formula is the most suitable alternative to breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle-feeding may interfere with breastfeeding your infant and it can be hard to reverse. Other considerations include the social and financial implications of feeding infant formula. We want to make sure your baby is as safe as possible, so please refer to the preparation and storage instructions for safe use of infant formula and be aware that any unnecessary or improper use of infant formula may cause health hazards for your baby.
Your choice, our support, always. With love.
If you require further information, consult your healthcare professional or learn more about the benefits of breast milk.
