2-4 Month Developmental Milestones

Movement and Physical Development

Less chance for tummy time and activity because of procedures and treatments
Tubes and hospital equipment can keep baby from moving normally
Children may not learn physical skills as fast as normal, especially rolling over, controlling head and upper body, and learning hand/eye coordination

If your treatment center has one, go to infant playtime to help baby learn physical skills.
Use a floor mat for tummy time and movement.
Put toys just out of reach to encourage rolling over.
Give toys with texture to get baby interested in grabbing and moving objects.
Use crib mobiles to keep baby alert and interested.

Responds to new sounds other than voices (such as vacuum and telephone); turns head toward a voice
Responds to changes in tone of voice. (such as “no”)
Pays attention to and makes vocal sounds in response to music
Smiles in response to you or when playing alone
Gurgles, laughs, and makes more speech-like babbling sounds (baba, mama)
Whines to get what he wants
Begins to take turns “talking” and attempt to interact with adults
Begins to recognize his name (turns head or looks up when you say it)
Anticipates feeding (gets excited when you shake bottle)

Less chance to relate to parents and caregivers because baby feels sick and tired.
Might be slow to develop language

Less interest in play
Fewer chances to relate and bond to parents and caregivers due to feeling sick and tired.
Feels stress from hospital lights, sounds, and people; changes in routines; and painful procedures
More fussy, irritable, and sensitive than normal
Might have sleep problems

Give baby attention during awake, alert times.
If baby is stressed, turn down lights, swaddle baby, and play quiet music or use a “white noise” machine.
Have a regular routine, if possible.

May have fewer opportunities to play on the floor and explore by kicking and swiping at objects due to frequent appointments and concerns about cleanliness of floor in certain settings
Parents or caregivers may experience increased stress, making it harder to think of activities to promote early learning skills
Might be slow to develop early problem-solving skills

Hold your baby while talking to them
Act excited when your baby makes sounds
Copy your baby’s sounds
Begin to play peek-a-boo with your child, knowing it is okay and normal if they do not play back at first
Place a rattle in your baby’s hand, help them hold it and shake it
Put toys near your baby’s feet so he or she can kick them
Remember YOU are your baby’s most beneficial developmental tool and toy!