2 Months

Immunizations:

Safety:

Feeding and Growth:

Developmental Issues:

• To protect babies from whooping cough and the flu, parents and caregivers must ensure that their own vaccinations are up to date. Visit your doctor for a tetanus booster with whooping cough and influenza shot. Make sure siblings' immunizations are also current.
• At two months your child receives the DTaP, HIB, IPV, Prevnar, and Rotavirus vaccines.
• About thirty percent of babies will get fever, cranky and soreness at the site of the injections; this can last for 48 to 72 hours. One to three percent of babies who receive the Rotavirus vaccine may have mild diarrhea or vomiting for a few days to a week.
• If your infant has these reactions to the immunizations, you may use infant Tylenol® or Acetaminophen to relieve the symptoms. Use the infant drops (instead of the children's preparations) every four hours as needed over the next 48 hours.

• Keep a smoke-free home.
• Never hold hot liquids while holding your baby.
• Set your water heater to the low setting at 120°F degrees. To prevent burns, always test the water before bathing your baby.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home; test and replace batteries as needed.
• Always use a car seat in the back seat, facing the rear of the car.
• Never leave baby unattended on bed, couch, or table. Babies roll when you least expect it!
• Always secure babies in strollers, rockers, and car seats.
• Make your home smoke-free. Don't expose your baby to tobacco smoke.
• Notify your pediatrician if your baby has a rectal temperature 101°F or over.

• Babies will continue to gain one to two pounds a month.
• Continue to feed on demand, but recognize that fussing doesn't always mean hunger.
• No solid foods, only breast milk or formula. No honey or corn (karo) syrup.
• Babies do not need extra water. Both formula and breast milk are more than 50% water.

• Talk, sing, and cuddle your baby. Start to read books. Play music.
• When you talk to your baby, you'll notice that your baby will be "talking more" in response – this is called reciprocal cooing. Your baby will smile and be more responsive to your voice as you hold him/her.
• Start to teach your baby to fall asleep on his/her own. As your baby falls asleep in your arms, start to put him/her down in a crib or bed to fall asleep. (If you start this now, you will save yourself sleepless nights later!) Many babies still wake at night for feedings.

Next visit: when your baby is four months old.