2-month-old milestones: the CDC checklist

Wording from the CDC.

Most children (75 in 100) do these things by 2 months; mark what your child does and take the list to your child’s doctor.

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Social/Emotional Milestones

Calms down when spoken to or picked up
Looks at your face
Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
Smiles when you talk to or smile at her

Language/Communication Milestones

Makes sounds other than crying
Reacts to loud sounds

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Watches you as you move
Looks at a toy for several seconds

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Holds head up when on tummy
Moves both arms and both legs
Opens hands briefly

Other important things to share with the doctor

CDC suggests these questions; the wording is CDC’s.

  1. What are some things you and your baby do together?
  2. What are some things your baby likes to do?
  3. Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
  4. Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
  5. Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What to ask the doctor

Talk with your child’s doctor. You know your child best. If you have a concern, don’t wait for the next visit: call your child’s doctor, share it, and ask about developmental screening.

Screenings at checkups. Doctors are advised to screen every child’s development with a standard questionnaire at the 9-, 18- and 30-month visits, and to screen for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits. You can ask for a screening at any visit.

If your child loses a skill. If your child stops doing something they used to do, at any age, call the doctor. Losing a skill is always worth a call.

You don’t need a referral. If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s early intervention program yourself. From age 3, contact your local public school district, even if your child doesn’t go there. Find early intervention (CDC)

If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.

Sources: Zubler et al. 2022, Pediatrics 149(3) (the 2022 checklists); Lipkin and Macias 2020, Pediatrics 145(1) (the screening schedule); CDC’s early intervention pages.

Act early

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
  • Call your state or territory's early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” page for this age.

Questions parents ask at 2 months

Answered from CDC’s 2022 checklists, quoting CDC’s wording exactly.

Should my 2-month-old be smiling?

CDC’s 2-month checklist lists “Smiles when you talk to or smile at her”. By 4 months it lists “Smiles on his own to get your attention”: a smile your baby starts, not only one given back. If you have a question about your baby’s smiles, talk with your child’s doctor.

Should a 2-month-old hold their head up?

At 2 months CDC lists “Holds head up when on tummy”. At 4 months the list moves on to “Holds head steady without support when you are holding him” and “Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy”. CDC’s advice is to act early: if you have a concern, don’t wait, and talk with your child’s doctor.

What sounds does a 2-month-old make?

CDC’s 2-month list has two items about sound: “Makes sounds other than crying” and “Reacts to loud sounds”. Cooing comes on the 4-month list: “Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)”. If you have a question about your baby’s hearing or sounds, talk with your child’s doctor.

What comes after 2 months

Show CDC’s 4-month list

CDC’s checklist for the checkpoint after 2 months, word for word, by area of development. They are here to compare; the checklist to mark is the 2-month one above.

Social/Emotional Milestones

At 4 months

  • Smiles on his own to get your attention
  • Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
  • Looks at you, moves, or makes sounds to get or keep your attention

Language/Communication Milestones

At 4 months

  • Makes sounds like “oooo”, “aahh” (cooing)
  • Makes sounds back when you talk to him
  • Turns head towards the sound of your voice

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

At 4 months

  • If hungry, opens mouth when he sees breast or bottle
  • Looks at her hands with interest

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

At 4 months

  • Holds head steady without support when you are holding him
  • Holds a toy when you put it in his hand
  • Uses his arm to swing at toys
  • Brings hands to mouth
  • Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy

Tips and activities for 2 months

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. The tips and activities below are CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s page for this age

What you can do for your 2-month-old

As your baby's first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your baby's doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your baby's development.

  • Respond positively to your baby. Act excited, smile, and talk to him when he makes sounds. This teaches him to take turns "talking" back and forth in conversation.
  • Talk, read, and sing to your baby to help her develop and understand language.
  • Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This will help him feel safe and cared for. You will not spoil your baby by holding or responding to him.
More parenting tips and activities (17)
  • Being responsive to your baby helps him learn and grow. Limiting your screen time when you are with your baby helps you be responsive.
  • Take care of yourself. Parenting can be hard work! It's easier to enjoy your new baby when you feel good yourself.
  • Learn to notice and respond to your baby's signals to know what she's feeling and needs. You will feel good and your baby will feel safe and loved. For example, is she trying to "play" with you by making sounds and looking at you, or is she turning her head away, yawning, or becoming fussy because she needs a break?
  • Lay your baby on his tummy when he is awake and put toys at eye level in front of him. This will help him practice lifting his head up. Do not leave your baby alone. If he seems sleepy, place him on his back in a safe sleep area (firm mattress with no blankets, pillows, bumper pads, or toys).
  • Feed only breast milk or formula to your baby. Babies are not ready for other foods, water or other drinks for about the first 6 months of life.
  • Learn when your baby is hungry by looking for signs. Watch for signs of hunger, such as putting hands to mouth, turning head toward breast/bottle, or smacking/licking lips.
  • Look for signs your baby is full, such as closing her mouth or turning her head away from the breast/bottle. If your baby is not hungry, it's ok to stop feeding.
  • Do not shake your baby or allow anyone else to—ever! You can damage his brain or even cause his death. Put your baby in a safe place and walk away if you're getting upset when he is crying. Check on him every 5–10 minutes. Infant crying is often worse in the first few months of life, but it gets better!
  • Have routines for sleeping and feeding. This will help your baby begin to learn what to expect.
  • Hold a rattle off to one side of your baby's head, shake it, and see if your baby looks for the noise.
  • Practice staying calm when your baby is upset by talking softly, holding, rocking, or singing to her. This will help her calm down and lessen her stress and fears.
  • Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to video calling with loved ones. Screen time is not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age. Babies learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
  • Talk and play with your baby while feeding, dressing, and bathing.
  • Help your baby learn some ways to self-soothe by letting her suck on her fingers or a pacifier.
  • Copy your baby's sounds and see how long your baby "talks" by making sounds back and forth with you.
  • Place a baby-safe mirror near your baby so she can look at herself. She will begin to develop a sense of who she is.
  • Look at pictures with bright colors or faces with your baby and talk about them.

On CDC’s site

The checklist on this page is CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s site already has an online checklist for each age. What this page adds: a corrected-age calculator and a list for the doctor that prints without an email step.

More for parents

Milestone checklist: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”, 2022 revision. Source: CDC. Read this checklist on cdc.gov

Use of CDC material on this page does not imply endorsement by CDC, ATSDR, HHS or the United States Government.

Prepared by MyTestAtlas from CDC materials.