As you leave the first month behind with your baby, your communication with each other starts to strengthen day by day. Although every baby’s development is different, babies are born with different potentials. As long as there is no interruption in their health, each baby can show different developments at different times. For this reason, you should not compare your baby with other children in the same month. During this period, your baby experiences great progress compared to the first month. They want to know themselves and their environment. You should continue to take your baby to doctor’s check-ups every month for height-weight monitoring, development and health assessment.
Vaccines
At the end of the second month, your baby receives the tuberculosis vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, pentavalent vaccine, and rotavirus vaccine.
Tuberculosis Vaccine
It is administered subcutaneously in the left shoulder. The vaccine is injected under the skin to create a small bump, and water should not be applied to the area for 3 days. It is very normal for the vaccination site to become a wound and scab over time; these are signs that the vaccine has been administered correctly. It is very important that this vaccine is administered carefully, as incorrect administration reduces its effectiveness. Babies must be vaccinated against tuberculosis, a contagious disease that spreads to the lungs and carries a risk of death. This single-dose vaccine does not require a booster.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
This is the first dose of the vaccine against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause meningitis. It is administered intramuscularly in the baby’s leg.
Pentavalent Vaccine
This is the first dose of the combined vaccines against acellular pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b diseases. It is administered intramuscularly in the leg. Temporary side effects such as fever and pain at the injection site may occur after vaccination. Applying cold compresses to the baby several times a day can help reduce pain at the injection site.
Rotavirus Vaccine
This is the first dose of the vaccine against rotavirus, which can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. It is given orally to the baby as a liquid medication. Some babies may experience mild and temporary diarrhea after vaccination.
Physical Development
2. By the 2nd month, babies start to gain control over their bodies. They can move their arms and legs more clearly. When placed on their stomach, they can lift their head, or when held upright, they can briefly hold their head up. Compared to their first month, improvements in sleep patterns may begin, and their need for sleep gradually decreases. For babies who still can’t distinguish between night and day, it can be helpful to keep them in well-lit environments during the day but to meet their feeding and care needs in a dimly lit and quiet environment at night. You should ensure that where you lay your baby is safe, avoid using pillows, and make sure there’s nothing in their bed that could cause breathing difficulties. As your baby’s desire to explore the world slowly begins, breast rejection may start during this period, especially in breastfed babies. A sound or object heard during feeding can catch their attention and make them turn away from the breast. You should be patient about this and try to regain their attention.
Cognitive Development
They enjoy being able to hold things and often try to bring objects they hold to their mouth to suck. As they develop a desire to examine their hands and fingers, it’s beneficial to stop using the gloves that were put on to prevent them from scratching their face. Eye coordination begins to develop. When you slowly move an object held close to their face from side to side, their eyes can follow it. This month, your baby will also learn to smile. They may respond with a smile when you do something they like.
Emotional and Social Development
This month, babies become more able to distinguish their mother’s voice. They can recognize the voices of people they live with or hear frequently. They become aware of being picked up, and most babies calm down this way. They respond to music or lullabies they enjoy listening to by moving rhythmically. They are happy when people talk to them and examine their faces. During this month, you should frequently call your baby by their name.
Language Development
They can perceive their own voice and are happy to make sounds. They respond with sounds to people talking to them as if trying to answer. The sound ‘agu’, which is usually the first sound babies make, starts during this period.
→ You can also read our article on 3-Month-Old Baby Development article.
