2 Week Visit
Congratulations! You made it 2 weeks!
You made it! You kept a tiny human alive and even helped them thrive over the past 2 weeks. You’ve learned how to change diapers. You know what new parents mean when they talk about sleepless nights. And although it may not seem easy yet, you’re learning how to feed this little person. Face it, you’re learning how to be a parent!
If this is your first, welcome to the parent club. Thankfully all you have to do next is to get through today, and then tomorrow. It’s not time to teach them to go potty or drive yet, so we don’t have to worry about that now. Take it one stage at a time. Ask us questions. Look to friends and family for advice. And then parent your way. That will be perfect for your baby.
If you’re adding to your nest, just get ready to be busier. Thankfully with each additional child, you’ll worry less. But unfortunately, you’ll be running around more!
But the most important thing may be to look your baby in the eyes, breathe in deeply, smile and know that you are blessed.
What most babies do by this age:
Social/Emotional Milestones
- Smiles in response to your face
- Focuses best at about 12-18 inches
Language/Communication Milestones
- Coos regularly
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Starts to focus on your face or some objects
- Likes high contrast items and movement like ceiling fans
- Should respond to loud noises
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
- Starts to support head while being held
Next, work on…
Smiling
By about 6 weeks age, your baby should start to smile in response to your own smile. To help develop this skill, make sure that your baby sees your smiling face often! Remember, they focus at about 12-18 inches but thankfully that’s about the distance that we naturally want to hold babies when we smile at or talk to them.
Tummy time
Although this is a bigger deal at 2 months, you can go ahead and start letting your baby spend time on their tummy. It’s easy to start this activity with the baby on your chest while you’re reclining. As they get better at lifting the head, you can move to a play mat or other soft surface.
Illness – Thankfully, unlikely.
At this age, illness is a big deal. Specifically, if babies who are younger than 2 months old develop fever, they usually have to be admitted to the hospital. Thankfully, fever at this age is uncommon! If your baby seems very fussy or hot, check a rectal temperature. If the rectal temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, you should call us immediately. Of course, if you have any questions about illness, call us anytime for advice.
This is an age when it is important to avoid exposure to illness as much as possible. Only healthy visitors should be allowed, and preferably, they should be adults. Use discretion when you must go to the store and try to go during the slowest times. Don’t let fifty well-wishing people drool all over your newborn!
Learning “the cry”
You are probably already developing the ability to notice the cues that your baby gives you when they need something. Over time you’ll learn what particular sounds, actions or cries mean. Pay attention to your baby and the cues that they give you and you’ll be even better equipped to meet the need.
Many babies develop crying spells from now until about three months of age, usually occurring in the late afternoon or evening. Babies cry for several reasons: they may be hungry, wet or dirty, hurting, tired or just plain fussy. If an obvious reason is not found, try to relax and comfort your baby. You may find that a swing, vibrating “bouncy” chair, walk in a stroller or car ride may be helpful. Don’t misinterpret crying for hunger. Babies have a suck reflex, and they will suck even when they are not hungry.
Newborns are amazing at noticing and responding to the stress level of their caregivers. If you are feeling stressed, your newborn will likely notice and respond by crying more. Having someone else to help care for the baby may help you relax which will also let the baby relax!
Safety
- An approved car seat should be used on all car rides. Make sure you’re comfortable with securing your car seat in the car as well as securing your baby in the seat. Ask if you need help.
- Although babies at this age don’t often roll over, you should assume that your baby can roll when you’re not looking! Make sure that you don’t leave them unattended on a bed, changing table or sofa.
- Never eat, drink or carry anything hot near your baby.
- Have a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
- Do not leave the infant alone with pets.
- Never jiggle or shake the baby too vigorously; it may result in head injuries.
- To protect your child from burns, reduce the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees F or lower.
Feeding
During this time your baby should continue drinking breast milk or formula exclusively. Most babies are eating about 18 ounces per day by this time and will likely move to 24-26 ounces per day by 2 months of age. Feedings during the day should be about every 2-3 hours, but you can let your baby sleep longer at night time.
Sleep
Most babies at this age have days and nights reversed. You can work on changing this by keeping your baby up during the day and not waking them at night. At night, don’t set an alarm rather let the baby wake you if they need you.
Immunizations
Routine immunizations will start at the 2 month visit. Your baby will likely tolerate these vaccines better than your will, but it may be a good idea to have infant Tylenol on hand by then just in case there is fussiness or fever.