What to expect at your baby’s 2-month visit

It's already time for your baby’s two-month visit! Here's what to expect.

At two months, babies become more alert. Taking care of them is still tiring, but it also gets more fun!

Things your doctor will do at this visit

• Check the baby’s weight, length and head size.
• Check him or her from head to toe.
• Ask if you have any worries or questions about your baby.
• Ask how you are feeding your baby and how often.
• Ask how often your baby pees and poops.
• Ask how much and where he or she sleeps, and how you put baby down for sleeping.
• Ask about new things your baby is doing. At this age, babies start to smile and coo, follow people and things with their eyes and try to push their head and chest up when on their belly.
• Ask how you are doing! An infant is still hard work.
• Offer shots to protect your baby from getting certain diseases. Combination vaccines are available so your baby can get fewer shots. This is one of the most important reasons to make sure your baby goes to the two-month checkup, even though the one-month checkup was just a few weeks ago.

These questions may sound familiar because your doctor asked many of them one month ago. But now your baby is older and the answers might be different. Your baby is developing rapidly. This visit helps make sure everything is going well.

What to ask

It can help to write down your questions ahead of time so you don’t forget.

Things you may want to talk about:

• Feeding: whether you are giving breast milk or formula. Babies don’t need solid foods until 6 months and shouldn’t get them before 4 months.
• How you are feeling: it is normal to feel very tired, dazed and even a little sad. After all, having a baby changes your life, and there are things you just can’t do when you have a little baby (like get enough sleep). Don’t be afraid to talk about your feelings. New moms need support, and the best way to get it is to ask for it.

Things to keep in mind

There is a lot to remember with new babies. You learn it as you go along!

About safety

• Never leave your baby alone on changing tables, beds, sofas, chairs or other raised surfaces. Your two-month-old can't crawl, but he can still move!
• Never leave your baby alone in a bath, even for a moment.
• Never shake your baby. If you are feeling upset, put your baby down in a safe place and take a moment for yourself.
• Don’t let anyone who is sick hold your baby. Always have people wash their hands before picking her up.
• Don’t let anyone smoke or vape around your baby.

While some sadness is normal, call your doctor right away if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby. This can be a sign of postpartum depression, a common problem that can be treated.

Call your doctor if your baby has a fever (100.4 or higher), isn’t eating normally, is sleepier or crankier than usual, or if you have any other questions.

About sleeping

• The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in his own sleep space (crib, pack-n-play, co-sleeper) in your room.
• Put your baby down to sleep on his or her back.
• The sleep space should be bare except for baby: no blankets, pillows or toys. They can lead to suffocation.
• Never put your baby to bed with a bottle, or prop one up in their mouth.

About travel

Always use a car seat, even for short trips. An infant car seat should face backward and be secured safely in the back seat. The middle of the back seat is a good place.

General care

You can't spoil a new baby. If she cries, pick her up and try to soothe her by feeding, a pacifier or cuddling.

Take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get as much sleep as you can, and accept help from friends and family.