From the Guidelines
At 2 months, infants typically lift their head and chest in a prone position, which is a key gross motor milestone. This milestone is crucial for assessing the infant's overall development and identifying potential delays or disorders early on 1. Some key points to consider when evaluating a 2-month-old infant's development include:
- Gross motor skills: lifting head and chest in prone position
- Fine motor skills: no specific milestones are noted at this age, but infants typically start to discover their hands and may bring them to their mouth
- Developmental surveillance: eliciting and attending to parents' concerns, documenting and maintaining a developmental history, making accurate observations of the child, identifying risk and protective factors, and maintaining an accurate record of the process and findings 1
- Screening tools: many screening tools can be completed by parents and scored by non-physician personnel, with pediatric providers interpreting the results It's essential to remember that development varies among babies, and some may reach milestones earlier or later than others. If concerns arise, such as a lack of eye contact, response to loud sounds, or failure to begin holding their head up, parents should discuss these concerns with their pediatrician at the 2-month well-child visit. Regular check-ups and surveillance can help identify potential issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and supporting the infant's overall development and quality of life.
From the Research
Developmental Milestones for a 2-Month-Old Infant
- At 2 months old, infants are expected to have certain developmental milestones, although the provided studies do not specifically outline these milestones for this age group 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Generally, developmental milestones can be assessed through fine motor, gross motor, social, and language development, with specific expectations for different age groups 2.
- In pediatrics, three developmental stages are assessed, and if a child is behind, there is a clear next step, often involving early intervention 2.
- The neonatal period is considered an extremely sensitive stage in the transition to parenthood, and early detection and intervention can help with developmental issues 3, 4, 5.
Assessing Developmental Milestones
- Pediatricians play a crucial role in assessing developmental milestones and detecting early developmental delays 4, 5.
- Developmental surveillance and screening tests can be used to determine a child's developmental status 4.
- Standardized screening tools should be used to detect delays, and pediatricians should be comfortable with their interpretation 5.
- Eye-tracking experiments can be used to study infant behavior and development, and coding schemes can be used to quantify spontaneous infant and parent behavior 6.
Importance of Early Detection and Intervention
- Early detection and intervention can help with developmental issues, and pediatricians should update their knowledge about developmental issues, risk factors, and screening techniques 4.
- Identifying developmental delays early and helping families access appropriate interventions is key to providing successful outcomes for patients 5.
- The prevalence of developmental disabilities is increasing worldwide, and early childhood has brain plasticity, making it an ideal time for intervention 4.