Physical Development

The two-month checkup enables your pediatrician to examine your baby, and to see how you're doing as well. She'll want to:

• Check baby's head, feeling fontanels to determine that the front one is still open.
• Examine skin for signs of cradle cap, infant acne, or birthmarks.
• Evaluate sucking reflex, motor skills, eyes, ears, belly button, and genitalia.
• Check for dislocation or other problems with hip joints.
• Administer vaccines--usually DTP, HIB, hepatitis B, and polio.

The doctor will also want to know about sleeping habits (baby's and yours), whether other siblings are adjusting well to the new baby, and if there have been any major changes (job loss, health issues, moving, divorce, etc.) that might cause unusual stress levels in the household. Give her as much information as you can--if she's got all the facts, she can provide coping tips and help minimize the effects of stress on your baby.

Social Development

By the two-month mark, your little one is turning into a charmer. He doesn't recognize others yet, but will smile back at anyone who smiles at him or who makes amusing noises (sneezing and burping qualify, along with animal noises and that old favorite, the raspberry). He expresses his pleasure at visitors by cooing, kicking, and waving his arms, and he's starting to figure out the important players--Mom, Dad, siblings, and familiar caretakers receive a warmer welcome than the general public.

When your baby tries to communicate, it's important to respond promptly and enthusiastically. This lets him know that he's important to you, and that he has a certain amount of control in his life. Try not to interrupt or look away while he's "talking" --even at this age, dismissive treatment can inhibit the development of self-esteem.

Intellectual Development

The development of language starts with cooing, usually in breathy, melodic vowel sounds beginning with the "a". At first, these sounds may seem random, but you'll soon notice that they are directed at you, a stuffed animal, the ceiling fan, or whatever other objects your little one likes the best. Baby loves to hear his own voice; he's also learning how to use his throat, tongue, and jaw. In a few weeks (usually at 3 1/2 months), he will delight you by laughing out loud, followed by window-rattling squeals of joy about a month later.

Note: The information above offers general guidelines, but all babies develop differently, and few hit their milestones precisely when the conventional wisdom says they should. If your child was born prematurely, you may want to use your due date as a baseline for following baby's development.