2 months

Your baby is learning to…

• Initiate interactions with their carer through smiling
• Babble, making ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ noises
• Follow an object with their eyes
• Reach for interesting objects
• Respond to your voice

Say Cheese for Me!

As your baby grows they become more in control of their facial muscles, allowing them to show you their first smile. It may not yet be in response to something you do or say, but it is all practice and eventually, the smiles will be as a result of your words or actions. To encourage your baby smiling, continue to place your own face close so that baby can watch your expressions and eventually copy you. After a while your baby will begin to smile at you as you speak to them or hold them, causing you to smile back. Once baby realises that they get a ‘smile response’ from you, they will be doing it all the time!

Baby talk

Your baby will begin to notice the sound of their own voice, and once started they will ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ regularly, taking delight in the sounds that they make. Encourage your baby's vocalising through continuing to talk to them about everything and anything. Putting on some children’s music, or going out and about shopping are ways to expose your baby to the sounds and noises of everyday living. Your baby will take interest in what happens around them and will start to try and copy sounds they hear.

I Can See That

Babies begin to develop their ‘tracking’ skills at this age (your baby begins to follow a moving object with their eyes). This skill is part of your baby’s developing vision. You can encourage your baby’s tracking skills by placing them under a mobile where they can follow the moving parts with their eyes. Another way to develop this is to lay your baby on their tummy (remember tummy time!) and slowly roll a colourful ball or toy past them for them to follow with their eyes.

I Can Nearly Get It

You will notice that your baby is beginning to reach for objects that they find interesting. When your baby is having their tummy time, surround them with bright and colourful toys for them to see. Your baby will practice making contact with their toys using their hands, and as they develop their skill will improve until they are able to connect with their toy. Another great way to give your baby reachable objects is to buy or make your own activity gym. Hang old coloured stockings filled with paper, or colourful ribbons with bells on them (these can be purchased from craft shops), or wind chimes from a secure place above your baby’s playmat.

I Can Hear You

Your baby is beginning to recognise the sound of your voice and you may start to notice that they turn towards the sound when they hear you speak. Continue to develop this by regularly talking to your baby. Sing during nappy changes, chat when you are driving in the car, talk through your daily chores or while you are out at the shops.

Close This Window & Return to Developmental Milestones