Baby at 2 months
Updated 25 Oct 2026
Skills most babies can do at 2 months
Social and emotional
- Your baby starts to smile at the people around them
- Your baby can calm themselves and play alone for short periods (your baby may bring their hands to their mouth and suck them)
- Your baby tries to look at their parents
Language and communication
- Your baby can make cooing, gurgling sounds
- Your baby turns their head towards sounds
Cognitive (learning, thinking and problem-solving)
- Your baby pays special attention to the faces of people around them
- Starts following things with their eyes and recognises people at a distance
- Your baby starts to show boredom and may fuss or cry if activities don't change. So if you leave your baby lying in one place for too long, they may well start crying.
Movement / Physical development
- Your baby can hold their head up and starts trying to lift it when placed on their tummy
- Your baby controls arm and leg movements more smoothly
If your baby shows any of the signs below, take them to see a doctor soon
- Your baby doesn't respond to loud sounds
- Your baby doesn't watch things as they move
- Your baby doesn't smile at people
- Your baby doesn't bring their hands to their mouth
- Your baby can't hold their head up when lying on their tummy
Things you can do for your 2-month-old
- Always cuddle, talk and play with your baby while feeding, dressing and bathing them
- Help your baby learn to soothe themselves. It's fine if your baby sucks their hands
- Start helping your baby build routines, such as sleeping more at night than during the day and having a regular daily schedule.
- Try to tune in to what your baby likes and doesn't like. You will feel calmer, more confident and less stressed.
- Don't hesitate to show excitement and smile when your little darling makes sounds.
- As well as copying the sounds your baby makes, you can sometimes use clear words to interact with your baby
- Pay attention to your baby's different cries so you can learn what your little one wants
- Talk, read and sing to your baby together. Enjoy happy moments with your baby
- Play peekaboo with your baby and help them learn how to play it
- You can place a baby-safe mirror in the cot so your baby can see themselves
- Look at pictures with your baby and talk about them.
- Put your baby on their tummy when they are awake and place toys next to them.
- Encourage your little one to lift their head by holding a toy at eye level in front of them.
- You can dangle or shake a toy above your baby's head and encourage them to reach for it
- Hold your baby upright with their feet touching the floor. Sing and talk to your baby while holding them in this upright position.
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Bluish skin around the lips, hands and feet, or the whole body
A bluish colour around the lips, on the hands and feet, or over the whole body is a sign the baby is short of oxygen. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once.
Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, chest indrawing
Breathing faster than 60 breaths a minute, chest indrawing, flaring nostrils or pauses in breathing are signs of breathing difficulty in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now. If the baby stops breathing or turns blue, call 115.
Convulsions (fits) in a baby
A convulsion in a young baby is a danger sign. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once; lay the baby on their side and do not put anything in the mouth.
Signs of dehydration
No wet diaper for 6 hours, a dry mouth and lips, and few or no tears when crying are signs of dehydration. Sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot, cold hands and feet and excessive sleepiness are signs of severe dehydration and an emergency. Please take your baby to the nearest emergency department now or call 115.
Source: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
Fever of 38°C or higher in a baby under 3 months
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs to be seen by a doctor, even if the baby seems otherwise well. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Jaundice spreading to the belly, arms and legs, or appearing early
Jaundice that spreads to the belly, arms, legs, palms or soles, appears within the first 24 hours after birth, or lasts more than 2 weeks needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby in now, especially if the baby is feeding poorly or very sleepy.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
Poor feeding, lethargy, hard to wake
Feeding problems, clearly reduced activity, or a baby who feels cold are danger signs in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Fever after birth
A temperature of 38°C or higher after giving birth can be a sign of infection. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Heavy bleeding after birth
Soaking through one or more pads in an hour, or passing large clots, is a sign that needs emergency care. Call 115 or have someone take you to the nearest hospital now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
You are not alone, and these thoughts need a doctor's support soon. Please tell someone you trust right away and go to the nearest health facility today. If you feel unsafe right now, call 115.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP) (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- CDC (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Triệu chứng suy hô hấp ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: WHO – Newborn mortality (fact sheet)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Trẻ bị sốt, khi nào cần đưa đi khám?
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.