2 Months Developmental Milestones

At 2 months, babies start to notice the world — smiling at people, calming themselves briefly, and following things with their eyes. Here are the social, language, and movement milestones most babies reach by 2 months.

What most children do by 2 Months

  • Smiles at people
  • Can briefly calm himself (may bring hands to mouth and suck on hand)
  • Tries to look at parent
  • Coos, makes gurgling sounds
  • Turns head toward sounds
  • Pays attention to faces
  • Begins to follow things with eyes and recognize people at a distance
  • Begins to act bored (cries, fussy) if activity doesn’t change
  • Can hold head up and begins to push up when lying on tummy
  • Makes smoother movements with arms and legs

Talk to your doctor right away if your child:

  • Loses skills they once had (for example, words or social smiles)
  • Doesn't respond to their name or make eye contact
  • Isn't babbling, pointing, or using gestures by 12 months
  • Isn't saying single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by 24 months
  • Has trouble with feeding, swallowing, or muscle stiffness/floppiness

Trust your instincts — you know your child best. Acting early makes a real difference.

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Milestones are based on the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." program. Every child develops at their own pace. EarlyBegin helps you know what to do next — it doesn't diagnose or give medical advice. If you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician.