What Happens at an Infant Well-Child Visit at 2 Months Old

When it comes to Cumming well-child checkups for infants and toddlers, two months is a milestone not to be overlooked. This checkup serves as a tool to gauge your child’s health and development, identifying any areas where intervention could be necessary. If you’re not sure what to expect from a well check at this age, we have a handy overview of its main features. Here are the key insights this checkup can provide.

What Parents Should Know About a 2-Month-Old Well-Child Visit

After a couple of months of parenthood with your baby, you’re probably noticing more alertness and responsiveness from your child. The well-child checkup at two months old is a chance to discuss these changes and get advice from your Cumming pediatrician.

Feeding Guidelines for a 2-Month-Old Infant

• Bottle-fed babies usually average 4-6 ounces every 3-6 hours (total intake 20-28 oz per day).
• Breastfed infants will start to adjust their feeds depending on hunger. If they are having greater than 5 wet diapers, appear satiated and are gaining weight, they are getting enough to eat.
• No supplemental water or solid is recommended at this time.
• Continue Vitamin D supplementation until 3 months for formula-fed infants and 6 months for breastfed infants.

Infant Care at 2 Months

• Most babies do not sleep through the night; although, the baby may start to sleep longer stretches. If the baby’s development has been normal so far, it is ok to not wake the baby every 6 hours to eat.
• Babies love to look around at this age. Provide plenty of opportunities for visual stimulation.
• You will find that you and your baby are slowly falling into a routine. Make sure that this routine includes a little time for yourself, time with your partner and time with other children. Remind yourself that quality, not quantity is important. It is amazing how much “helping change the diaper while talking about soccer” means to the other sibling.

Developmental Expectations for Your 2-Month-Old Infant

• You will note that your baby is now moving all extremities equally and will start to grasp a rattle in their hand.
• Your baby will also start to vocalize and have a social smile.
• Tummy time enables your baby to develop strong neck and trunk muscles. A great way to start is to lie on your back and hold the baby on your chest facing you. Gently turn their head from one side to the other and as the baby gains strength, they will achieve this task on their own.
• Among the normal newborn reflexes and behavior, grasping is an early sign of neurological development. When you stroke the palm of a newborn’s hand, their fingers will close around yours in a firm grip. This reflex will be present for a further month or two until it becomes a voluntary action.

Immunizations Needed at 2 Months Old

• Immunizations are a critical part of the baby’s well-being. Immunizations protect us from illnesses that have historically caused significant illness and death in children. Multiple studies are completed on the importance and safety of vaccines before they are added to the state’s mandatory list. Particular information on each vaccine is available on our website. The vaccines that are administered at the 2-month visit are the following.
  Pentacel – vaccinates against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenza type B, and polio (These bacteria and viruses can cause severe respiratory infections, meningitis, epiglottitis, some ear infections, lockjaw, and paralysis)
  Hep B – vaccinates against hepatitis B which is a virus that can cause a serious liver infection
  PCV-13 – vaccinates against the pneumococcal bacteria which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and some ear infections
  Rotateq – oral live vaccine that vaccinates against bacteria that can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration
• You may give a dose of Tylenol to alleviate any discomfort from the shot administration – this can be given to your baby before you come in for the visit. Common side effects from these vaccines include fussiness, fever (usually less than 102 degrees) and mild redness or swelling at the injection site. Use of Tylenol for greater than 72 hours to control fever or fever greater than 102 with increased irritability warrants a call to the office.

When to Call Your Pediatrician for a 2-Month-Old Baby

• Fever is the body’s normal response to a viral or bacterial infection and aids the immune system in fighting it off. When a baby is a newborn, the number of the temperature is important because they have the potential to be overwhelmed by a simple infection. A fever over 102 should be evaluated since the baby’s immune system is considered immature.
• For 0-3 months old, a rectal measurement is the most accurate. At 3 months and older you may take an axillary (underarm) measurement. A temperature greater than 100.4 should be double-checked with a rectal measurement.

Professional Pediatric Care for Infants and Toddlers in Cumming

Vickery Pediatrics is committed to offering expert healthcare services for children of all ages. We provide well-child visits and sick care to children from Cumming, Buford, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and Forsyth County. To schedule your baby’s two-month well-child checkup, call (678) 990-2501 or request an appointment today.