Milestones at 2 months
At 2 months the checklist is mostly about connection: looking at your face, calming when spoken to or held, and the first social smiles. The movement items are small but real, such as lifting the head during tummy time and opening the hands. Sounds other than crying count as language at this age, and so does reacting to a loud noise.
CDC's 2-month checklist lists 11 milestones: 4 social and emotional, 2 language and communication, 2 cognitive and 3 movement and physical development. The largest group at this age is social and emotional, with 4 items. Each one is something most children (75% or more) can do by 2 months, so many children do it earlier.
No standardized screening is routinely scheduled at the 2-month visit, but you can ask for one at any visit if you have a concern. This is the first checkpoint on CDC’s list. The next is 4 months, with 13. For a baby born before 37 weeks, compare with the checklist for the corrected age until 2.
No standardized screening is routinely scheduled at 2 months; ask for one if you have a concern. Next checkpoint: 4 months.
Screening ages: AAP, via CDCSocial and emotional4 items
“Calms down when spoken to or picked up”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Looks at your face”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Smiles when you talk to or smile at her”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Language and communication2 items
“Makes sounds other than crying”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Reacts to loud sounds”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)2 items
“Watches you as you move”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Looks at a toy for several seconds”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Movement and physical development3 items
“Holds head up when on tummy”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Moves both arms and both legs”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Opens hands briefly”
Most children (75%+) by 2 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Checklist items quoted from CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones for 2 months (Source: CDC). “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.
If something is “not yet”
“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.”
Source: CDC, milestone checklist for 2 months
- Write down the items you answered “Not yet” or “Not sure”, with an example of what you see at home.
- Bring the list to your child’s doctor and ask whether a developmental screening is a good next step.
- Under 3? Call your state’s early intervention program and ask for a free evaluation. You don’t need a referral.
- 3 or older? Call your local public elementary school and ask for a preschool special education evaluation.