Activities for a 2-month-old: Fostering baby’s development

Your life may still feel like a blur of feedings, diaper changes and short spurts of sleep with a 2-month-old. That new baby fog means you usually have no clue what day it is or why the car keys are in the fridge. But this month is the perfect time to actually start a loose routine. Having a basic schedule helps the day flow, which is good for you and baby.

According to Tovah Klein, PhD, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive,” routines help even 2-month-olds anticipate what’s going to happen next.

Predictability helps them feel safe, calm and trusting of parents and caregivers, Dr. Klein explains. Essentially, a checklist runs through a baby’s brain when they’re on a successful routine. Bath? Check. Song? Check? Feeding? Check. Zzzz.

This creates a foundation for learning how to love the important people in their life and developing good self-esteem as they grow. Here’s how else you can support your 2-month-old’s development.

Related: A parent’s guide to car seat safety: Tips, rules & product picks

Sensory activities for 2-month-old babies

Speaking of learning, this month your kiddo is becoming more interested in pictures and objects. You’ll see the beginning of hand-eye coordination, too. You’re still their primary focus, so keep up the talking, singing and silly faces.

Babywearing

Keeping your infant close by babywearing can help promote comfort and reduce crying. Try babywearing while you do other chores or take care of other kids—or while you go for a stroll outside. We’re betting baby will sleep super soundly if worn for naps—and will love getting in some extra skin-to-skin contact, too.

Related: Babywearing did so much for my mental health when I became a mom of 2

Tracking objects

Your little one’s focus may be extending soon, which makes now the perfect time to try tracking objects. Holding a toy or rattle about 12 to 18 inches from their face, slowly move it from left to right, and watch if their eyes follow the object.

Singing

Your little one loves to hear your voice, mama, and especially your singing (even if it’s off-key!). Work in some sweet songs and lullabies throughout your day, whether you’re cooking in the kitchen, driving in the car, washing up at bathtime, or getting ready for bed—your little one will benefit from the introduction of music and rhythm.

Related: 2-month-old baby milestones

Developmental activities for 2-month-old babies

Looking for 2-month-old developmental activities? Here are a few ways to encourage your baby to learn and play this month.

Reach and grab

Your little one might soon be able to hold onto an object and is starting to learn how to open and close their hands. Help them reach out for a toy to hang onto—soon, when they shake it, they’ll start to realize they’re the ones making it move and rattle.

Stretch it out

After months of being in the womb, your little one deserves a good stretch. Encourage your baby to stretch out their body by helping them reaching their arms out wide or overhead and bringing their hands together to clap. Help create movement in their lower body by gently moving their legs and feet like they’re pedaling a bicycle or reaching out their legs for a long stretch.

Tummy time

Tummy time sessions might be getting a little longer this month—continue trying to make it fun for baby by reading a book aloud or singing a song while they explore around them. Remember that infants should always be awake and alert during tummy time and should be placed on their backs for every nap and nighttime sleep.

Related: 14 science-backed ways to reduce SIDS risk in babies

Things to do with a 2-month-old

From story time to play time, these week-by-week tips from child development psychologist Dr. Holly Ruhl will help you navigate the month.

Week 1

Instilling an early love of reading can strengthen language skills and parent-child relationships. Squeeze in that oh-so-important 20 minutes of reading by visiting your local library or bookstore for story time. This activity will deepen your tot’s love of books and promote mama-baby bonding.

Week 2

Infants have an innate love of gazing at faces. Spend a few minutes each day attending to baby’s favorite faces: the ones staring back in the mirror! Make silly faces and label baby’s facial features. Gazing in the mirror may promote baby’s sense of self-recognition. This understanding will appear slightly later and is the basis for baby’s later self-confidence.

Week 3

Your little bundle is developing rudimentary hand-eye coordination. Promote coordination by fostering interaction with baby’s fascinating surroundings. Help your tot gently stroke household pets. Dangle a textured, crinkly toy for those little hands to swat. Lay baby on an activity gym and soak in the baby bliss as your little one intently reaches for toys overhead.

Week 4

Are family and friends antsy to cuddle with the new addition? Take baby to visit loved ones for exposure to new faces, voices and styles of play. Plus, social support from friends and relatives can be so helpful in allowing you time and space to rest and relax, knowing your baby is in safe hands.

Our favorite products for 2-month-olds

Lovevery

The Play Gym

•

$140

From these first forays into tummy time all the way through toddlerhood, this stage-based play gym brings all kinds of age-appropriate Montessori activities together. Starting with the brilliant five zone play mat with flaps that can reveal or conceal in order to prevent overstimulation, little ones can explore sounds, colors and textures. Add in the collection of interchangeable toys (including an organic cotton high contrast Montessori ball, sustainably-sourced wooden batting ring, and an organic cotton teether with BPA-free silicone ring) and cards, and they’ll be busy and learning for hours. Even better, as they grow it can be transformed into a cozy fort to play in!

SHOP

Sassy

My First Rattles Newborn Set

•

$12.99

As they begin to find their hands, simple, easy-to-grip rattles are ideal. This particular set is a favorite since it offers a variety of ways to practice their newfound grasping skills as well as click-clacky rings and rattle beads to awaken their auditory awareness.

SHOP

Sassy

Tummy Time See Me Floor Mirror

•

$14.36

As their visual tracking improves, babies love gazing at the “other baby” in the mirror. Incorporate this floor mirror during tummy time to help work on developing those strong muscles as well! The spinning ball and bee also offer some tactile exploration to keep them engaged as they grow.

SHOP

Taf Toys

Koala Infant Tummy-time High Contrast Soft Crinkle Activity Book

•

$14.36

This 4-in-1 stand-up activity book offers a variety of ways for your babe to play. The soft crinkle fabric pages are fun to grasp while high contrast and colorful images help them focus. There’s also a sweet koala teether attached for munching as well as a mirror at the back to enhance tummy time.

SHOP

Lamaze

Gardenbug Footfinder and Wrist Rattle Toy Set

•

$17.85

As they begin to discover and explore their hands and feet, these colorful foot finders and wrist rattles help to stimulate their vision and encourage interaction. And best of all, they always stay within reach!

SHOP

Look ahead: Activities for an 3-month-old: Fostering baby’s development

A version of this story was originally published on Nov. 24, 2015. It has been updated.