A baby grows and begins to socialize during the second month of life. The most exciting event for parents at this time may be seeing their baby smile. Smiles are associated with pleasure and parents. Their smiles increase when parents coo, cuddle, smile back, and pick them up. New growth and development milestones occur by the end of 2 months.

The 2-month-old's motor skills include:
* Holding the head up at a 45-degree angle when lying on his abdomen for a few minutes. The baby's head still bobs when sitting.
* Grasping voluntarily.
* Twisting the body, and cycling the arms and legs.
* Swiping at objects or holding them for a few moments.
* Moving objects placed in the hands to the mouth for sucking.

The 2-month-old's language skills include:
* Cooing and showing interest in sounds.
* Crying is still the baby's primary way to vocalize.

The 2 - month-old's mental abilities include:
* Startling or showing facial responses to sounds.
* Smiling in response to parent's cooing or change in facial expression.
* Staring for long periods at surroundings.
* Reacting to moving or attractive objects by moving the body or grabbing at the object.
* Moving objects placed in the hands to the mouth for sucking. (motor skill)
* Anticipating movement of objects by showing excitement.
* Knowing a few voices, people, tastes, proximity, and objects.

The 2-month-old's social traits including:
* Showing distress and delight and calm themselves with sucking.
* Quieting with cuddling or holding, voice, or familiar faces.
* Staying awake longer if interacting with people.
* Sleeping as long as 7 hours at night, and is awake as long as 10 hours a day.
* Feeding only one time during the night.
* Enjoying a bath.

Give your baby lots of love. Keep your baby safe from suffocation. Remove cords, chains, and small objects from the baby's reach. Have baby sleep on her back or side unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor. Be sure your baby receives its first DTP, polio, Hepatitis B, and HiB immunizations now.

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