What usually appears
Motor: lifts the head briefly on the tummy (1 month), holds it at 45 degrees (2 months), props on forearms and opens the hands (3 months). Fists that were clenched begin to open.
Language: startles at loud sounds, turns towards a parent’s voice, makes vowel sounds (“aah”, “ooh”) around 6 to 8 weeks.
Social-emotional: gazes at faces 20 to 30 cm away, settles when held, the social smile at 6 to 8 weeks in reply to yours.
Cognitive: tracks a moving object across the midline, becomes interested in high-contrast patterns.
How to support it
Short tummy-time sessions several times a day, talking and singing with your face close, quick responses to crying, at this age there is no such thing as spoiling.
When to be alert
At 3 months: no smiling at people, no turning to sounds, cannot hold the head up at all on the tummy, hands always tightly fisted, or a body that is very stiff or very floppy. Talk to a paediatrician.
CDC milestones at 2 months
The CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." checklist (2022 revision) for 2 months, grouped by area.
Social/Emotional
- Calms down when spoken to or picked up
- Looks at your face
- Seems happy to see you when you walk up to them
- Smiles when you talk or smile at them
Language/Communication
- Makes sounds other than crying
- Reacts to loud sounds
Cognitive
- Watches you as you move
- Looks at a toy for several seconds
Movement/Physical
- Holds head up when on tummy
- Moves both arms and both legs
- Opens hands briefly
