Your Baby’s Development: 2 months old

The second month old is becoming more alert and aware of the people around however not much as changed regarding functional mobility.  Overall, the muscle tone that your little one was born with is now less and it may even appear that they have less control of their movements.  In fact, when you place you little one in a standing position they may not be able to even put weight through their legs.  This is known as astasia abasia or motor incoordination, that can be seen during standing and walking.  With increasing visual awareness, your baby’s movements are frequently direction by visual attention at this age.  High contrast toys and mobiles are best at this age and will typically capture your baby’s visual interest.  

Supine (while laying on their back)

At this age, your baby rarely keeps his/her head in the middle.  When your baby looks to one side this may cause their whole body to roll to their side.  Head rotation can also elicit a reflex known as the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR).  When your little one rotates their head to one side you may notice the arm extends on that side and elbow bends on the opposite arm.  This is also known as the “fencing pose.”  This reflex is most evident during the second month of life.  The 2-month-old can briefly fixate in the middle and can track from side to middle and middle to side and may even start tracking across midline.  At this age your baby is learning much about their world through vision.  Visual awareness and interest, motivates your baby to try to reach out for toys or objects.  If a rattle is placed in your baby’s hand, they can briefly retain it but typically do not pay attention to it.  The lower extremities are not as coordinated as their arms are at this age.  Their hips and knees are more extended however it is typical that your baby will frequency assume a position of hip and knee flexion while laying on their back.  Kicking should be done with both legs and their feet may even come together.  This body contact and exploration are important components to development of body awareness and decreasing tactile (touching) sensitivity.  

Prone (while laying on their stomach)

Prone continues to be a challenging position for the 2month old.  When laying on their bellies, your little one can rotate his/her head to the side and can rest their head on the supporting surface.  Your little one can briefly lift their head up to about 45 degrees at this age.  Their hips are less bent and therefore their body weight is shifted more down towards their feet which in theory should make lifting their heads easier.  However because your baby is still so tiny, when your baby lifts his/her head this will cause their hips to bend shifting their weight forward. The 2-month-old is also now beginning to use their arms to push up in prone but still unable to put weight through their forearms.  They will have limited functional use of their hands in the prone position at this age, other than brining hands to mouth as a means of self-soothing.  

Sitting:

A head lag is still present during a pull to sit test, despite your baby’s fleeting attempts to lift the head and assist.  In the sitting position, the 2-month old’s back is bent but head lifting is more prevalent as compared to the first month.

Standing:

Primary standing and automatic walking are rarely seen at this age.  Your baby may or may not take weight on the legs and the legs may be poorly positioned when weight is put on their legs.  This phase characterized by the inability to take weight in standing and inability to automatically step is known as astasia-abasia.  This is typical and no need to be alarmed.