Your 2-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:



He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people.



Give your baby enough space to stretch and move his arms and legs. Lay a blanket on the floor and let him move as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone his developing muscles. On his tummy, he'll start to push off with his legs — the first step in getting ready to crawl.



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 2-month-old's development.

Your life: Don't forget birth control!

Quick: If you're breastfeeding, can you get pregnant? What if you haven't had a period since giving birth?



The answers are yes and yes. Even if you're only sexually semiactive, it's possible to conceive. Contrary to folk wisdom, breastfeeding itself isn't a contraceptive, and you'll begin to ovulate before you have a period, but you can't be sure when that will be. So it's wise to use contraception unless you wouldn't mind giving your newborn a sibling who's very close in age.



Your doctor can map out all the options, but here are some considerations:



What contraception did you use before you got pregnant? You can't necessarily pick up where you left off. If you used a diaphragm, be sure to get fitted again, as giving birth has probably changed your body.



If you were on a hormonal form of birth control (the Pill, patch, or ring) before becoming pregnant and are now breastfeeding, you may need a different formulation, such as the progesterone-only minipill.



Do you want to try something new? An IUD (intrauterine device), for example, fits better in women who have given birth than in those who've never had children.



Have you considered using condoms? Condoms can be a good choice for new moms because they don't affect breast milk — and they can be easier to remember than a once-a-day pill. Plus, condoms make contraception your partner's responsibility, too.

3 questions about: Calling your baby's doctor

How do I decide whether to mention symptoms to my baby's doctor?

You should feel comfortable calling the doctor's office anytime a gut feeling tells you to, day or night. Symptoms worth reporting in a young baby include worrisome changes in temperament, changes in appetite or an inability to keep food down, high fever, abnormally loose bowel movements, a dramatic drop in the number of wet diapers, a persistent rash, eye or ear drainage, and prolonged, unusual crying. Any of these could signal a serious illness, depending on their severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms. Always get immediate medical attention if your baby has trouble breathing or is having seizures.



When should I call a doctor about a fever?

It's your decision. Your baby's overall behavior and the presence of additional symptoms are usually a better indicator of illness than an exact thermometer reading. Remember that fever is the body's way of fighting infection, so it's essentially a good thing, not an illness in itself. Body temperature also varies by time of day (lower in early morning, higher in late afternoon and evening). The American Academy of Pediatrics considers a fever to be a rectal reading of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or more, and many doctors would recommend a call if a baby this age has that high a fever. Because readings can vary depending on how you take the temperature (rectally, by ear, in the armpit, or on the forehead), tell your doctor the method you used when you report a fever. Also, make sure to let your doctor know if your baby had any fever-reducing medicine.



What information should I be prepared to give?

When you need to call the doctor, stay calm and provide as thorough a description of the symptoms as you can. Tell when they began, how long they've lasted, and whether anything unusual has been taking place (such as teething or travel). Let the doctor know whether your baby has been around anyone sick recently. Take your baby's temperature before you call. Also mention whether your baby is on any medications, and remind the nurse or doctor you speak with if your baby has a medical condition. Because medical staffers see lots of children every day, they may not remember your individual child's history right off the bat.

source : babycenter

Your 2-month-old's development: Week 3

Smooth operator

He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people.



Give your baby enough space to stretch and move his arms and legs. Lay a blanket on the floor and let him move as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone his developing muscles. On his tummy, he'll start to push off with his legs — the first step in getting on the move.

Sound sleep advice

Whether you envision your little one sleeping independently in a crib at an early age or sharing a family bed in the coming years, a soothing and predictable bedtime routine will help your child nod off and get the rest he needs. And it's not too early to start.



Your routine can include rocking, singing, a bath, a bedtime story, cuddling with a transitional object (such as a soft blanket or stuffed animal), being carried around the house and saying goodnight to each room — whatever makes sense for your family. The ritual will evolve as your child gets older.

"Hello, my name is..."

At this age, your baby should be open to making friends with babies and adults alike. You may notice that he smiles when he sees anyone come in the room or holds out his arms when someone wants to hold him.



Now's a good time to introduce your baby to sitters or other people who might be looking after him later on. Have potential caregivers come over and spend time with you and your baby. Later on, he may be consumed by stranger anxiety, making a simple introduction seem impossible.



Do remember that babies have different temperaments and some are less open to new people than others. If your baby doesn't welcome someone new with open arms, be patient, hold him close, and reintroduce him. It may just take some time. Familiar surroundings will help introductions go more smoothly.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source : babycenter

Your 2-month-old's development: Week 2

Break out the bibs

Your baby's salivary glands have been working since she was in utero, but you may notice that she's started to drool. She's also putting everything in her mouth and producing more saliva than she can swallow.



This doesn't mean that your baby's teething just yet, though — that probably won't happen for another two weeks, at least. The vast majority of babies sprout their first tooth between 4 and 7 months of age. If your baby's an early developer, you may see her first white cap, usually one of the bottom two middle teeth, as early as 3 months. (And in rare cases, a baby's first tooth is visible at birth!)



Many parents permanently affix a bib to their baby about now to catch the drool. Just remember to take it off when your baby sleeps to prevent strangulation.



The good news is that your baby's drool coats toys and other objects with disease-preventing proteins. That's fortunate — since she'll continue to explore anything she can get her hands on.

Sleeping for longer chunks of time

If your baby's sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up in the middle of the night. But even babies who aren't sleeping through the night at this stage should be sleeping and staying awake for longer intervals instead of cycling back and forth so much. Your baby will most likely have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours.



An interesting note: Whether your baby is a night owl or a morning lark, a long sleeper or short sleeper, she'll probably stay that way throughout childhood.

Turning over a new leaf

Your baby is learning how to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, she'll probably be able to move from her side to her back and her back to her side. The complete roll over won't come for another month or so, though, because she needs stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver.



Your baby's increasing mobility means that you must keep a hand on her during diaper changes. Never leave your baby unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface now that she can move around.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source : babycenter

Your 2-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:



If your baby is sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up in the wee hours. But even babies who aren't sleeping through the night at this stage should be sleeping and staying awake for longer intervals



An interesting note: Whether your baby is a night owl or a morning lark, a long sleeper or short sleeper, that pattern will probably stay the same throughout childhood.



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 2-month-old's development.

rather than cycling back and forth so much. Your baby will probably have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours.

Your life: Finding good childcare

Even if you're already certain which kind of childcare arrangement you prefer, it can be a good idea to get a sense of your full range of options. You may be surprised by what you find.



When looking for a daycare center or home daycare that's right for your baby, ask other parents for advice and shop around. Visit as many places as you can, and try to spend as much time as possible at each one at various times of the day, talking with the employees, directors, and parents to get a sense of what the different facilities are like. Pay attention to how the staff interacts with your baby. If you're looking for a babysitter or nanny, get references from others and follow up on them. Then consider doing a trial run by having the sitter or nanny watch your baby for a few hours while you do an errand or take care of some things at home.



Find out about the pros, cons, and costs of various childcare options.

3 questions about: Reflux

What is reflux?

Reflux is when food and acid move from the stomach back into the esophagus. It's normal for all babies to have some reflux — they'll spit up or regurgitate a little milk after some feedings. It's estimated that up to 50 percent of babies spit up daily. Most of these episodes are brief and don't cause symptoms. However, if your baby is burping up large amounts of milk throughout the day or vomiting more than a few times a day, it could be a problem called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Reflux may be associated with prolonged crankiness and pain with eating. In severe cases, babies with GERD gag, cough, or don't gain enough weight. Make sure to mention any reflux symptoms to your baby's doctor.



What causes reflux?

The main problem is a weak esophageal sphincter — the muscular valve that connects the throat to the stomach. Most babies are born with a relatively relaxed lower esophageal sphincter. Because of this looseness, food doesn't stay in the stomach where it belongs. Swallowing too much air and overfeeding can also contribute to reflux.



How is reflux treated?

In most cases, babies grow out of the problem by their first birthday, as their sphincter muscles strengthen. If your baby is being fed formula, her doctor may suggest switching to a soy-based or hypoallergenic formula. You may be advised to try smaller and more frequent feedings to keep your baby's stomach from filling too much or too often. Some studies suggest that adding baby rice cereal to breast milk or formula to thicken it may improve some reflux symptoms. Holding your baby in a semivertical position during and after feedings, with her head elevated about 30 degrees, may help keep the milk from coming back up. Even frequent burping can reduce reflux symptoms. The doctor might prescribe an antacid or acid-blocking medication for your baby to take daily, similar to the medicine adults take for heartburn (but don't give your baby any medications without a doctor's order). She may also suggest further evaluation of your baby's symptoms with a pH probe, which is inserted into the esophagus to measure reflux episodes and acid levels. Other ways to evaluate reflux include X-rays of the gastrointestinal tract and endoscopy, in which a tube with a camera is placed in the baby's upper GI tract to view and biopsy the area.

source : babycenter

Your 2-month-old's development: Week 1

Into complex designs

At this point, your baby will begin to move beyond his early preferences for bright or two-toned objects toward more detailed and complicated designs, colors, and shapes. Show your baby — and let him touch — a wider variety of objects. Good choices include plastic cookie cutters, soft balls, and stuffed animals.

Hear ye, hear ye

Your baby can differentiate familiar voices from other sounds and is becoming a better listener. He also can show you that he's in tune with his environment. Notice how he looks to see where certain noises are coming from.



An ongoing conversation (although still one-sided!) can help your baby develop his sense of place. He may even watch your mouth as you talk, fascinated by how it all works.



Note: If you have any doubt about your baby's hearing, don't hesitate to mention your concerns to your healthcare provider. Even though your baby's hearing may have already been tested, new problems can arise.

A helping hand

The chaotic first months are over and your baby's schedule is probably becoming more predictable. If you and your partner are raising your baby, it's important for both of you to get a chance to care for and bond with your baby. Make sure whichever one of you is not the primary caretaker gets regular time alone with your little one, for bathing him, changing him, and just getting tuned into his needs.



If you're a single parent, try to find another adult, such as a grandparent or an aunt, to spend time with your baby. This will give your child an opportunity to bond with other loving adults, and give you a welcome break from the hard work of being a parent to a young child.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source : babycenter