2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Your post-baby belly: Why it's changed and how to tone it

Why do I still look pregnant?

You may be very surprised by the way your tummy looks after birth. Your baby is out, but there it is, right around the navel: a big, round, squishy puffball that makes you look like you're still six months pregnant. Many women also have a dark line down their abdomen called a linea nigra and a web of stretch marks, which are actually little scars caused by the extensive stretching of skin. Those who had a c-section have surgical scars to contend with as well.

It takes time for your body — and especially your belly — to fully recover from pregnancy. Imagine your abdomen as a balloon, slowly inflating as your baby grows. Childbirth doesn't pop the balloon, it just starts a slow leak. But don't worry — it's a steady one.

From the moment your baby is born, hormonal changes cause your midsection to deflate, shrinking it back to something closer to its pre-pregnancy state. It takes about four weeks for your uterus to contract to its normal size. All the cells in your body that swelled during pregnancy will begin releasing their fluids in the form of urine, vaginal secretions, and sweat. And the extra fat you put on to nourish the baby will start burning off (especially if you're nursing and exercising). But it takes at least a few weeks to see noticeable results.

Stretch marks and the linea nigra, however, endure longer. The good news is that stretch marks usually become considerably less noticeable six to 12 months following childbirth. Their pigmentation fades and they typically become lighter than the surrounding skin (the color will vary depending on your skin color), but their texture will remain the same. The dark color of the linea nigra will gradually fade over a year, but that too may not completely disappear.

How long will it take for my belly to shrink back to normal?

We've all heard stories of new moms whose tummies are tight and flat immediately after giving birth. Although this does happen, it's rare. For most women it takes months to get rid of the "pregnancy pouch" — and sometimes it never goes away.

Patience is key. It took nine months for your abdomen to stretch to accommodate a full-term baby, so it makes sense that it would take that long or longer to tighten back up.

The speed and degree of this transition depends largely on your normal body size, how much weight you gained during pregnancy, how active you are, and your genes. Women who gained less than 30 pounds and exercised regularly during pregnancy, who breastfeed, and who have had only one child are more likely to slim down quickly.

If you're not breastfeeding, you'll need to watch how much you're eating in order to lose pregnancy weight. You need fewer calories now that you're not pregnant. (See our "Diet for Healthy Post-Baby Weight Loss" and our "Diet for a Healthy Breastfeeding Mom."

What can I do to make my belly look better?

Breastfeeding helps, especially in the early months after childbirth. Women who breastfeed burn extra calories to make milk, so they usually lose pregnancy weight more quickly than their non-nursing counterparts.

Nursing also triggers contractions that help shrink the uterus, making it a workout for the whole body. But many breastfeeding moms say they have trouble losing the last 5 to 10 pounds. Some experts theorize that the body retains these extra fat stores to aid in milk production. Science hasn't yet tackled this question definitively. See our poll on whether breastfeeding helps you lose weight to learn what other nursing moms experienced.

Exercise also helps. Whether it's a stroll around the block or a postpartum yoga class, physical activity tones stomach muscles and burns calories. A rigorous exercise regimen that includes an aerobic workout and movements that focus on the abdomen can work wonders. (But before starting an exercise routine, make sure your body is ready.)

Some baby bulges require more effort. A low-calorie diet can help you lose weight, but give nature and exercise time to work first. Wait at least six weeks (preferably several months, especially if you're nursing) before cutting back on calories. Dieting too soon after giving birth may reduce your milk supply and can make you feel more fatigued.

And don't go on a strict diet — women need a minimum of 1,200 calories a day to stay healthy, and most women need much more than that — between 1,800 and 2,200 calories a day — to keep up their energy and mood. To lose about a pound a week, cut out 500 calories a day by either decreasing your food intake or increasing your activity level.

If you're breastfeeding, losing more than a couple pounds a week can release toxins — normally stored in your body fat — into the bloodstream, increasing the amount of these contaminants that wind up in your milk. So if you're losing more than 2 pounds a week after the first six weeks, you need to take in more calories.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Your 2-month-old's development: Week 3

Smooth operator

He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people.

Give your baby enough space to stretch and move his arms and legs. Lay a blanket on the floor and let him move as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone his developing muscles. On his tummy, he'll start to push off with his legs — the first step in getting on the move.

Sound sleep advice

Whether you envision your little one sleeping independently in a crib at an early age or sharing a family bed in the coming years, a soothing and predictable bedtime routine will help your child nod off and get the rest he needs. And it's not too early to start.

Your routine can include rocking, singing, a bath, a bedtime story, cuddling with a transitional object (such as a soft blanket or stuffed animal), being carried around the house and saying goodnight to each room — whatever makes sense for your family. The ritual will evolve as your child gets older.

"Hello, my name is..."

At this age, your baby should be open to making friends with babies and adults alike. You may notice that he smiles when he sees anyone come in the room or holds out his arms when someone wants to hold him.

Now's a good time to introduce your baby to sitters or other people who might be looking after him later on. Have potential caregivers come over and spend time with you and your baby. Later on, he may be consumed by stranger anxiety, making a simple introduction seem impossible.

Do remember that babies have different temperaments and some are less open to new people than others. If your baby doesn't welcome someone new with open arms, be patient, hold him close, and reintroduce him. It may just take some time. Familiar surroundings will help introductions go more smoothly.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Low milk supply

What is it?

Almost all mothers go through a period of questioning whether their milk supply is adequate, especially when they begin breastfeeding. In some cases a mother isn't able to produce enough milk to meet the needs of her baby. But according to many experts, true milk insufficiencies are rare.

Many women think their milk supply is low when it isn't. This can happen if you lose the feeling of fullness in your breasts, or if milk stops leaking from your nipples — but these are actually natural, common signs that your body has adjusted to your baby's feeding requirements. A baby going through a growth spurt may also want more milk than usual, and his more frequent feedings may leave your breasts less full than usual.

Others, however, including Marianne Neifert, a pediatrician, lactation specialist, and author of Dr. Mom's Guide to Breastfeeding, believe that low milk supply is a real phenomenon for some women and that to ignore it may put babies at risk for malnutrition. For the vast majority of these women, better breastfeeding management can correct the problem, but 2 to 5 percent are physically incapable of producing enough milk.

What causes it?

A mother's milk supply may diminish temporarily if she's not feeding her baby often enough because of nipple pain, a lethargic nurser, or a poor latch-on technique. Estrogen-containing birth control pills or an illness can also affect milk production. For a few women, a biological or physical condition such as a hormonal disorder or breast surgery causes their milk supply to be low.

For most women, though, the real problem is delivery, not production. They produce plenty of milk, but for some reason, such as an incorrect latch-on technique, their baby isn't getting enough.

What should I do?

First, rule out false alarms about your milk supply. Here's how to tell whether your baby's getting enough — and therefore you're producing enough — breast milk:

• Your baby gains an ounce a day in the first three months of life and half an ounce a day from age 3 to 6 months. (Newborns will typically lose between 5 and 10 percent of their birth weight in the first few days before gaining it back.) Your baby should be back to his birth weight by ten to 14 days after birth. Weight gain is the best way to make sure your baby's getting enough milk.

• In the first month, your baby has at least three stools a day and they lighten to a yellowy-mustard color by the fifth day after birth. After the first month, the stools become less frequent. Some babies will even go a day or two between stools.

• He nurses frequently — every two to three hours, for a total of at least eight to 12 feedings a day.

• You hear him swallow and you sometimes notice milk in the corners of his mouth.

• He appears healthy and active.

• He wets seven or eight cloth diapers a day, or five to six disposables. Disposable diapers are more absorbent, making it hard to tell when one is wet. If you're not sure, take one off and compare its weight to a dry disposable. A wet one should feel slightly heavier. (Note: Wet diapers alone are not enough to determine whether your baby's getting enough milk: A dehydrated baby can still wet a diaper. Stools and weight gain are the best ways to tell how your baby's doing.)

If you're not producing as much milk as you (and your baby) would like, try the following:

•See a lactation professional. She can weigh your baby and give you tips on how to boost your milk supply.

•Feed your baby often. Frequent nursing sessions stimulate your body to produce more milk.

•Get the best latch-on possible. Check for proper positioning at the breast.

•When your baby's sucking and swallowing pattern slows down, use breast compression to increase milk flow to your baby and to completely drain the breast.

•When your milk flow with compression seems to be slowing, switch sides and repeat. Keep switching back and forth between breasts until your baby is satisfied or stops swallowing. A more effective measure may be to nurse your baby for ten to 15 minutes per breast, then use a fully automatic electric breast pump with a double collection kit to completely drain your breasts and increase milk production. To make sure your baby's getting enough, you may have to supplement the milk you've collected with formula.

• A sleepy baby may need to be awakened and encouraged to nurse more vigorously (thus stimulating your glands to produce more milk). To arouse him, try switching sides frequently, alternating positions, or even undressing him. Some mothers play with their baby's feet during feedings to keep him awake.

• Mothers who determine that their milk output is actually low may want to have their thyroid level checked. A low thyroid level is known to reduce milk supply.

• If you're not sure your baby is sucking well, or are still concerned about your milk supply, don't hesitate to call on a lactation consultant for help.

Will it affect my baby?

Yes, if your baby regularly needs more milk than he gets, he could fail to thrive, a condition that can inhibit physical and mental development. Call your doctor and schedule a checkup right away if he's not gaining weight, or is losing weight. Improved breastfeeding techniques often help, but in some cases slow weight gain indicates a serious health concern.

Can I still nurse?

Yes, especially if you're suffering from a temporary decrease in milk supply, nursing frequently is the key to boosting milk production.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Let's Play! Up, Up, and Away & Song of Myself

Up, Up, & Away

As your baby gains control over his body, he loves games that involve "flying" through the air. Guide him through new maneuvers (and give yourself a workout) with this dynamic ground-crew exercise.

Appropriate for: 2.5 to 6 months
Skills developed: Gross motor
What you'll need: No equipment necessary

Start by sitting up with your knees bent, positioning your baby with his tummy against your shins. Then, holding him steady, lie back on the floor, simultaneously raising your legs slightly into the air. Your shins, with your baby lying comfortably atop them, should be parallel to the floor. If you can spare the breath, say, "Airplane up, up, and away" as your little one rises into the air. Depending on your level of fitness, you can zoom him around by moving your legs forward and back and side to side before bringing him in for a landing.

Song of Myself

Babies recognize oft-repeated words long before they're ready to say them, and familiar names are the friendliest verbal cues of all.

Appropriate for: 2 months to 1 year
Skills developed: Cognitive, auditory, verbal
What you'll need: A rocking chair (optional)

Grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, pets, babysitters, and daycare teachers – your baby will love to hear you name them all. One of the most natural ways to do this is with a song like the old spiritual "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." The words are simple and repetitive: "He's got the whole world in his hands" repeats four times, and then the verses go on to name general categories: "He's got the wind and the rain in his hands..." "He's got the tiny little baby in his hands..." ending with four lines of "He's got everybody here in his hands." But instead, try substituting your baby's favorite folks: "He's got [baby's name] and Papa, in his hands..." "He's got Grandma and Grandpa in his hands..." and go on from there.

Remember: Each baby develops at a different pace, so if yours isn't quite ready for this week's activities, don't worry — just try them again in a few weeks.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Growth charts: Taking your baby's measurements

What are growth charts?

Growth charts are tools that the doctor uses to evaluate and keep track of your baby's physical growth. At each checkup, the doctor or nurse will measure your baby's length, weight, and head circumference. Then she'll plot those numbers on a chart of national averages for babies of the same age and sex. In the end, she'll tell you what percentile your child is in.

If the doctor tells you that your 2-month-old son is in the 75th percentile for weight, for example, that means 75 percent of the 2-month-old boys in the United States weigh the same or less than he does and 25 percent weigh more. If your baby was born prematurely, his gestational age is used to plot his numbers on the chart.

So if your baby was born 4 weeks early, his numbers will be compared with babies who are 4 weeks younger than your baby. Some doctors use "preemie" growth charts, but however she keeps track, the doctor will take into account that your baby arrived early.

Parents sometimes worry needlessly about these percentages. Remember that your child is an individual and will develop at his own pace. These measurements are a general guide to help you and your doctor assess your baby's growth. What's important is that your baby's growth curve, as it's plotted on the chart, is progressing.

The doctor will be looking to see whether he's gaining appropriately each time (no big dips, for example). She'll also keep an eye on his weight to make sure it isn't excessive for his height, which might indicate potential weight problems down the road. The most recent charts take into account both breastfed and formula-fed babies.

The first set of growth charts covers from birth to 36 months. On the left side of the length chart are centimeters; corresponding measurements in inches run along the right side of the chart. On the left side of the weight chart are kilograms; corresponding measurements in pounds run along the right side of the chart. You can see the charts themselves on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

How will the doctor take my baby's measurements?

Because an inch or a pound can make a pretty significant difference in where your baby falls on the charts, measurements will be taken very carefully. It can be tricky to get reliable and accurate numbers — especially if your baby is very squirmy! — but most doctors and nurses are experienced at it.

The doctor or nurse will take three measurements:

Weight
After you undress your baby completely — that's right, no diaper — the doctor or nurse will place him on a scale (either a traditional beam scale or an electronic model) to weigh him. Both types will be set to zero before your baby is laid down. The measurement is usually taken in kilograms and recorded to the tenth of a kilo. The doctor or nurse will be able to tell you your baby's weight in pounds to the closest ounce.

Length
While your baby is lying down, the doctor or nurse will measure him from the top of his head to the bottom of his heel. Some practitioners use a special device with a headboard and a movable footboard for accurate results.

Head circumference
To measure your baby's head, the doctor or nurse will place a flexible measuring tape where his head has the largest circumference — just above your baby's eyebrows and ears, around the back of his head where it slopes up prominently from his neck.

Why does it matter what size your baby's head is? Your baby's brain growth is reflected in the size of his skull. So if your baby's brain isn't growing and developing normally, his head circumference may not be increasing as it should. On the other hand, if your baby's head circumference grows too quickly, it may be a sign of a problem like hydrocephalus (the buildup of fluid in the brain). Both conditions are unlikely but important to rule out.

By the way, babies' heads are disproportionately large compared to adult heads, so don't worry if your baby's head looks big to you. Consider your own proportions, too — if you or your partner has a large or small head, your baby might, too.

Can I track my baby's growth at home?

Yes, you can, but it won't be as accurate as when the doctor or nurse does it. If you want to give it a try:

• Weigh your baby. If you don't have a baby scale, then any accurate scale will do. Simply hold your baby and get on the scale. Write down that number. Then put your baby down and get on the scale alone. Subtract that number from your combined weight to get your baby's approximate weight.

• Next, measure your baby's length. Lay him down and stretch a measuring tape from the top of his head to the bottom of his heel. It's easiest if you have someone to help, because you'll need to gently stretch your baby's leg straight to do this. Again, your number won't be exactly the same as the doctor's, but you'll get a ballpark figure.

• To measure your baby's head circumference, wrap a flexible measuring tape around his head just above his eyebrows and ears, and around the back where his head slopes up from his neck. The goal is to measure his head at the spot where it has the largest circumference.

Once you have these measurements, plug them into our growth percentile calculator to find out roughly how your baby compares to his peers.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Eight ways to find time to exercise

For many new moms, exercise takes a back seat to more pressing concerns — sleep, for instance. But you'll find you have renewed energy for yourself and your baby if you make time for even short bursts of exercise. Ten minutes here and there is better than nothing, and it'll do you a world of good.

The key is finding an activity that you enjoy and that meshes with your schedule and lifestyle. If you like what you do during your workout, you'll view it as a necessity rather than an option. For starters, try these suggestions:

• Go for a hike with your baby in a front carrier or sling or, if he can sit up already, a backpack. Make sure your baby is well supported — a sling is fine for a walk around the block but not for a more rigorous urban walk or a hike through the hills. Whatever carrying device you choose, make sure it doesn't strain your shoulders, neck, or back.

• Put your baby in the stroller and go for a walk. When your baby is at least 6 months old, you can put him in a jogging stroller and go for a jog.

• Have your partner or another caregiver watch the baby for 30 minutes so you can get out for a walk around the neighborhood — and enjoy some precious time to yourself. If you're working outside the house, try getting up about an hour before you need to leave in the morning and head to the gym or go for a walk. If you're a stay-at-home mom, get up before your partner leaves to get some exercise in.

• Bring your sneakers to work and go for a stroll during your lunch break. Ask a co-worker to join you to pass the time and make it more fun.

• Check out local health clubs or yoga studios. Many offer postpartum exercise classes suitable for new moms — as well as day care and even classes you can take with your baby. If a postpartum class isn't on the roster at your gym, pick a low-impact class that has a decent warm-up period — at least ten minutes — that also includes stretching and toning.

Note: If you're thinking of joining a club that offers babysitting services, look for one with a safe, secure childcare area with specialized staff — rather than locker-room attendants who double as babysitters. Also look for a low child-to-staff ratio (about four children to every adult), a policy of not accepting sick children, and a clean, inviting playroom stocked with age-appropriate toys and books.

• Join a mom-and-baby stroller exercise program like Stroller Strides, Baby Boot Camp, or Stroller Fit. It's a great way to get outside, exercise, meet other moms, and spend time with your baby.

• Consider investing in some home exercise equipment that you can use when your baby is napping or otherwise occupied. Even something as small as a jump rope or some dumbbells will help you get into shape.

• Build a library of exercise videos. Popping in a video can be a fun and convenient way to squeeze exercise into your busy schedule. You may even be able to find some titles on your library's shelves.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Developmental milestones: Hearing

Hearing

Unless your baby has a hearing impairment, he can hear even before birth. As he grows, he'll use his ears to take in massive amounts of information about the world around him, which will in turn stimulate brain development and lead to physical accomplishments such as sitting, rolling over, crawling, and walking.

When it develops

Your baby's hearing will be fully mature by the end of his first month, although understanding and appreciating all the things he's hearing will take a little longer.

How it develops

From the get-go, your baby will pay close attention to voices, especially high-pitched ones. He'll respond to familiar sounds (you or your partner talking or reading a favorite story, for example). He's also likely to startle at loud or unexpected noises.

By 3 months, your baby's temporal lobe — a part of the brain that helps with hearing, language, and smell — will have become more receptive and active, so when he hears your voice, he may look directly at you and start gurgling or trying to talk back. Don't worry if he sometimes looks away while you're talking or reading to him, but do tell his doctor if he doesn't seem to respond to your voice at all.

At 5 months, your baby will be able to determine where sounds come from, and he'll turn quickly toward new ones. He can also recognize his name. Notice how he looks at you when you call him or talk about him.

What's next

Your baby's hearing is fully developed when he's very young, but it's important to identify problems early on so you can nip them in the bud. Your baby's hearing will be tested at his newborn screening. After that, be sure to tell your pediatrician if you have any concerns. She may refer you to an audiologist for a hearing test.

Your role

There are many ways to expose your baby to new sounds. Sing nursery rhymes and play music, for starters. Choose perennial children's favorites such as Raffi or Peter, Paul, and Mary. Or pop in your own favorite, whether it's The Beatles or Russian opera.

The sound of wind chimes or a ticking clock is also likely to engage your baby. As he develops preferences, you'll see him react with more pleasure to some sounds than others.

Reading to your child, no matter how young he is, will pay off. Listening to you read helps your child develop an ear for the cadence of language — in fact, varying the pitch of your voice, using accents, singing, and vocalizing makes the aural connection between you and your baby that much more stimulating. Plus, the more you talk and read to him, the more sounds and words he learns as he gets ready to talk.

As your baby gets older and begins to realize where sounds come from, he will turn quickly toward new ones. One of the easiest ways to amuse a baby is to jingle a set of keys. Once he's 4 or 5 months old, he may start watching your mouth intently when you speak. He may even try to imitate inflections and utter consonant sounds such as m and b.

When to be concerned

The vast majority of babies have excellent hearing, but a few will have problems, especially if they were born very prematurely or were deprived of oxygen or had a severe infection at birth. Babies with a family history of hearing loss are more likely to have impaired hearing.

The fact that your baby can sleep right through the telephone ringing and the dog barking is perfectly normal. Babies need their sleep. There are other ways to tell if your child might have a hearing problem, though.

When your baby is awake and alert — and not suffering from a cold or an ear infection, which can temporarily affect his hearing — he should startle at loud, sudden noises. He should also calm down and turn to you when he hears your voice and react normally to sounds around him. If he doesn't, ask his doctor about formal hearing tests.

You can start with these quick evaluations at home:

Birth to 3 months: Clap your hands behind your baby's head. If he startles, he's fine.

Between 4 and 6 months: Call his name to see whether he turns toward or reacts to your voice. See if he turns his eyes or head to look for the source of an interesting sound.

Between 6 and 10 months: See whether your child responds to his name and familiar environmental sounds, such as the ringing of the phone or the roar of the vacuum cleaner.

Between 10 and 15 months: Ask your child to point to a familiar object in a picture book. If he can't, he may not be hearing you.

As you conduct these informal tests, remember that you're looking for your baby's best responses, not his average behavior. If you're convinced that he's responding some of the time, his hearing is probably okay.

Still, if you're concerned, trust your instincts and talk with your doctor. The earlier a baby's hearing problems are found, the better. According to research, identifying children who need hearing aids and fitting them with the devices before they're 6 months old significantly helps their speech and language development.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3 - Breastfeeding and the working mom

Can I continue breastfeeding once I return to work?

Yes, you can. If you live near work or have on-site daycare, you may be able to take nursing breaks to feed your baby. If that's not possible, you have two choices:

Option 1: You can keep up your milk supply by using a high-quality, automatic electric breast pump to express milk during the workday. Save the milk you collect for your child's caregiver to give him the next day. (You can also supplement with formula if you can't produce enough milk.) You'll still be able to nurse your child yourself whenever you're not at work.

Option 2: If you can't or don't want to pump at work, you can gradually replace daytime feedings with formula while you're still at home but continue to nurse at night and in the morning. Remember that if you don't nurse or pump during the day, your milk supply will diminish. The milk your body produces may not be enough to satisfy your baby, even if you only need enough for morning and evening feedings.

What are the advantages of pumping at work?

Pumping at work stimulates your milk production, so you'll have plenty of milk available when you nurse. You can also collect the milk that you pump, so your baby will have the health and nutritional advantages of breast milk even when you're not there. What's more, pumping can be a wonderful way to feel connected to your baby during the workday.

One of the best things about pumping at work is coming home to a baby who still wants to nurse. You get to snuggle with him right away, re-establish your bond, and nurture him in a way no one else can. To make sure your baby will want to nurse when you get home, ask your caregiver not to feed him during the last hour of the workday, or to feed him just enough to take the edge off any hunger. Then you and your baby can look forward to a warm reunion every day.

Although it can be a hassle — and doing such an earthy thing in a work environment can feel strange — many mothers find that the benefits of pumping far outweigh the inconvenience.

How can I successfully manage pumping at work?

You'll need:

• A breast pump, preferably a fully automatic electric pump with a double collection kit so you can pump both breasts at the same time

• Bottles or bags to collect and store the milk in

• Access to a refrigerator or a small cooler to keep the milk cold until you get it home (most pumps come with a cooler pack)

• Breast pads to protect your clothes if you leak

Get used to pumping at home before returning to work so you'll know what to expect and how it feels. You'll be much more confident pumping at work if you already know that you can produce enough milk to fill a storage bag or bottle. Plus, it's reassuring to have a stash of breast milk in the freezer once you do leave for work.

Ideally, you'll have access to a private room at work where you can pump, such as an unused office or conference room, or even a large, clean closet with a chair, countertop, and electric outlet. (Most pumps come with a battery option, so you won't necessarily need an outlet.) Try to find a room with a door that locks so you don't have to worry about anyone intruding on your privacy. Ask the building manager or human resources staff for suggestions, and enlist the support of a co-worker or supervisor if necessary.

If there's some demand (even two mothers is enough), you could lobby to create a nursing mothers' station in the office. In a worst-case scenario, you'll have to pump in a bathroom stall, but many women have done so successfully for months.

Your milk supply may vary daily. To maximize your milk flow, try to pump at the same time and place each day. Relax and look at your baby's picture or visualize him while you pump. Stress and fatigue are your biggest enemies. Remember, you're still a nursing mom, so eat well and drink plenty of water while at work.

How often should I pump?

Pumping every two to three hours is ideal. This timetable should provide all the milk your baby will need while you're gone and allow you to keep up your milk supply so that you can continue to nurse your baby in the morning and evening, and on weekends.

How do I store breast milk at work?

Pump and store milk either in glass or plastic bottles or in plastic milk collection bags. Leave room at the top of each bottle or bag for expansion if you'll be freezing the milk. Label the bottles or bags with your name and the date so you can use the oldest ones first. Store them in the office refrigerator or a cooler while at work. Carry them home in a cooler with an ice pack if your commute is longer than 30 minutes

Should I tell others that I'm pumping?

Support is the key to success. If you know other moms who are pumping at work, it's a good idea to ask them for encouragement and advice. Otherwise, you don't have to tell your co-workers what you're doing on your breaks if you feel uncomfortable, but you should tell your supervisor.

Your boss needs to know that pumping won't interfere with your work, so assure her that by committing to your baby in this way, you'll have much more peace of mind at work. In fact, you may find that you're even more productive (working mothers often are).

Talk to other moms on our pumping bulletin board to find out how they handle the situation.

How can I keep my breasts from leaking at work?

During the first week or two that you're back at work, your breasts will probably feel very full at feeding times and may leak milk. Pumping regularly — say, during your morning break, lunch break, and afternoon break — will often help prevent leaking. Use breast pads in your bras to protect your clothes from stains, or look for the new self-adhesive silicone pads (called LilyPadz) that prevent your breasts from leaking in the first place.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 3

How your baby's growing:

He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people.

Give your baby enough space to stretch and move his arms and legs. Lay a blanket on the floor and let him move as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone his developing muscles. On his tummy, he'll start to push off with his legs — the first step in getting ready to crawl.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 2-month-old's development.
Your life: Don't forget birth control!
Quick: If you're breastfeeding, can you get pregnant? What if you haven't had a period since giving birth?

The answers are yes and yes. Even if you're only sexually semiactive, it's possible to conceive. Contrary to folk wisdom, breastfeeding itself isn't a contraceptive, and you'll begin to ovulate before you have a period, but you can't be sure when that will be. So it's wise to use contraception unless you wouldn't mind giving your newborn a sibling who's very close in age.

Your doctor can map out all the options, but here are some considerations:

What contraception did you use before you got pregnant? You can't necessarily pick up where you left off. If you used a diaphragm, be sure to get fitted again, as giving birth has probably changed your body.

If you were on a hormonal form of birth control (the Pill, patch, or ring) before becoming pregnant and are now breastfeeding, you may need a different formulation, such as the progesterone-only minipill.

Do you want to try something new? An IUD (intrauterine device), for example, fits better in women who have given birth than in those who've never had children.

Have you considered using condoms? Condoms can be a good choice for new moms because they don't affect breast milk — and they can be easier to remember than a once-a-day pill. Plus, condoms make contraception your partner's responsibility, too.
3 questions about: Calling your baby's doctor
How do I decide whether to mention symptoms to my baby's doctor?
You should feel comfortable calling the doctor's office anytime a gut feeling tells you to, day or night. Symptoms worth reporting in a young baby include worrisome changes in temperament, changes in appetite or an inability to keep food down, high fever, abnormally loose bowel movements, a dramatic drop in the number of wet diapers, a persistent rash, eye or ear drainage, and prolonged, unusual crying. Any of these could signal a serious illness, depending on their severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms. Always get immediate medical attention if your baby has trouble breathing or is having seizures.

When should I call a doctor about a fever?
It's your decision. Your baby's overall behavior and the presence of additional symptoms are usually a better indicator of illness than an exact thermometer reading. Remember that fever is the body's way of fighting infection, so it's essentially a good thing, not an illness in itself. Body temperature also varies by time of day (lower in early morning, higher in late afternoon and evening). The American Academy of Pediatrics considers a fever to be a rectal reading of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or more, and many doctors would recommend a call if a baby this age has that high a fever. Because readings can vary depending on how you take the temperature (rectally, by ear, in the armpit, or on the forehead), tell your doctor the method you used when you report a fever. Also, make sure to let your doctor know if your baby had any fever-reducing medicine.
What information should I be prepared to give?
When you need to call the doctor, stay calm and provide as thorough a description of the symptoms as you can. Tell when they began, how long they've lasted, and whether anything unusual has been taking place (such as teething or travel). Let the doctor know whether your baby has been around anyone sick recently. Take your baby's temperature before you call. Also mention whether your baby is on any medications, and remind the nurse or doctor you speak with if your baby has a medical condition. Because medical staffers see lots of children every day, they may not remember your individual child's history right off the bat.
Hot topics this week
Childcare dilemmas solved
• Finding a stellar sitter, daycare, or nanny
• How to cut your childcare costs
• Poll: Would you spy on your sitter?
See all our childcare information

Flying with your baby
• Do you need to book a seat for your baby when you fly?
• The best airplane seats for your family
• Questions to ask the airline in advance
See all our baby travel resources

Playtime
• How to tell whether your baby's toys are safe
• Signs your baby has had enough play
See all our activities and play articles

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Your 2-month-old's development: Week 2

Break out the bibs

Your baby's salivary glands have been working since she was in utero, but you may notice that she's started to drool. She's also putting everything in her mouth and producing more saliva than she can swallow.

This doesn't mean that your baby's teething just yet, though — that probably won't happen for another two weeks, at least. The vast majority of babies sprout their first tooth between 4 and 7 months of age. If your baby's an early developer, you may see her first white cap, usually one of the bottom two middle teeth, as early as 3 months. (And in rare cases, a baby's first tooth is visible at birth!)

Many parents permanently affix a bib to their baby about now to catch the drool. Just remember to take it off when your baby sleeps to prevent strangulation.

The good news is that your baby's drool coats toys and other objects with disease-preventing proteins. That's fortunate — since she'll continue to explore anything she can get her hands on.

Sleeping for longer chunks of time

If your baby's sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up in the middle of the night. But even babies who aren't sleeping through the night at this stage should be sleeping and staying awake for longer intervals instead of cycling back and forth so much. Your baby will most likely have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours.

An interesting note: Whether your baby is a night owl or a morning lark, a long sleeper or short sleeper, she'll probably stay that way throughout childhood.

Turning over a new leaf

Your baby is learning how to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, she'll probably be able to move from her side to her back and her back to her side. The complete roll over won't come for another month or so, though, because she needs stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver.

Your baby's increasing mobility means that you must keep a hand on her during diaper changes. Never leave your baby unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface now that she can move around.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - When to call the doctor

It's normal for new parents to worry about their baby's health. Even if you can see that your newborn is strong and sturdy, babies are small and vulnerable and need our protection. But how do you know when something's really wrong?

You know your baby best, so trust your instincts — and call the doctor if something doesn't feel right. Here are some key areas to keep an eye on.

Temperament

If your baby seems like his usual sunny, happy self and is feeding well, he's probably not seriously ill. A baby who has a runny nose and a big smile is probably not as sick as a baby who has a runny nose and is lethargic.

Unusual crying

If your baby suddenly starts crying more than usual and you can't comfort him in the usual ways, or if his cry is weak or unusually high-pitched, he may be seriously ill. The opposite is also true — if your baby seems unhappy and doesn't cry but is unusually inactive and difficult to wake up, call your doctor

Appetite

How hungry your baby is will vary from day to day. But if he's hungry he should feed vigorously. A baby who tires easily from sucking or loses interest in nursing or feeding is probably sick. Also, if you notice your baby spitting up more than usual, with more effort, or if the spit-up is greenish in color, he may be sick.

Abnormal bowel movements

Young babies, especially breastfed babies, often have very soft or liquid bowel movements. But if the stools become extra watery, your infant may have diarrhea.

Monitor his bowel movements and see whether the diarrhea continues. Make sure he's breastfeeding or bottle-feeding as often as usual so he doesn't get dehydrated. Your baby should wet a minimum of six diapers a day. If he seems lethargic and begins to have small, hard, or dry bowel movements, or if his stool is streaked with blood or mucus, or has the consistency of jelly, call the doctor.

Difficulty breathing

If your baby's breathing is labored or if he's having trouble breathing at all, get help immediately.

Fever

Although fever in a baby is a signal that he's sick, the fever alone usually isn't worrisome. A baby can have a low-grade fever and be seriously ill, or a high fever and be only mildly ill. But if a baby under 3 months of age has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher, he should be examined. If an older baby has a fever but appears completely well otherwise, observe him for a day to see whether he develops other symptoms.

If you're still in doubt, call your healthcare provider anyway. It's important for you to get peace of mind, and it never hurts to check with your doctor.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Tummy time: How to help your baby get comfortable on his belly

You've probably heard that "tummy time" is important so that babies can learn to push up and eventually crawl — but if your little one fusses and cries when you put him on his belly, what can you do?

If your baby's used to sleeping on his back, that's wonderful — sleeping on his back reduces your child's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But during waking hours, tummy time is essential from day one. Experts find that babies who don't spend time face-down often have some delays in their development of motor skills.

"The experience of being on their tummy helps babies learn to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl, and pull to a stand," explains Danette Glassy, a pediatrician in Mercer Island, Washington, and chairperson of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on early education and childcare.

Until 1994, when the AAP started urging parents to put babies to sleep on their back, most babies slept on their tummy and were used to being in that position. Today, most babies are much more comfy on their back, where they spend their sleeping hours (not to mention time spent in car seats, swings and bouncy seats).

So if your baby seems miserable in that position, it's no wonder. Not only is it unfamiliar, it's physically uncomfortable. It's hard work for your baby to keep his head up when he's on his tummy, and he can't see much of anything down there. He may even feel abandoned.

Here are some strategies for helping your baby feel at home on his tummy, along with products that can help.

Keep your baby company

One mom-tested strategy is to distract your baby from the unfamiliar feeling of being face-down until he gets used to it. The best thing you can do, says Glassy, is join your baby on the floor. Encourage him, talk with him, shake his rattle, make funny faces, play peekaboo. He might even enjoy watching you do your leg lifts or crunches (he's working hard after all). Another option is to lay your baby tummy-down on your tummy, either on the floor, in a recliner, or even in the bath.

Once your baby has sufficient head control — around age 4 months — you can play airplane: Lie on the floor and bend your legs. Put your baby's tummy against your legs, his head at your knees. Then bend your legs while holding on to him firmly. He'll probably love the new view. You might also put him on the bed, near the edge, and sit on the floor with your face next to his. He might appreciate the softer surface, and you can easily interact with him in this position.

Tip: Make sure your child's sitter or daycare provider knows about the importance of tummy time when your baby's awake as well as the importance placing your baby on his back to sleep.

Provide entertainment

Prop a board book open in front of your baby, or place a favorite toy within reach. Invest in a tummy-time toy or gym, designed especially for babies to play with while on their belly. Some have lights, mirrors, moving pictures, music and/or squeaky toys attached. Or place him on a colorful quilt or an activity mat designed just for babies. Some mats have prop-up toys or mirrors, and others are filled with water, for added fun. Take your baby's socks off so he can get good traction on the mat.

Tip: Have your baby's sibling(s) play nearby when he's on his tummy. (You may want to use a play yard so he won't get stepped on.) Watching a brother or sister — or even a family pet — may just keep him happily distracted for a bit.

Prop your baby up

Some parents find that giving their baby a new perspective — by propping him on a rolled towel or nursing pillow, for example — makes all the difference. If your child has some neck strength and head control (by age 3 or 4 months) but can't get up on his forearms, simply place the towel or pillow under his chest and armpits, with his arms in front of it. (If he tends to roll forward, keep your hand on his bottom.) When he can get up on his forearms independently, remove the pillow and let him work on his motor skills without it.

Tip: Some babies enjoy rolling on a big exercise ball. Hold him on it tummy-down while you gently rock the ball back and forth.

Time it right

Make sure your baby isn't hungry or tired when you set him tummy-down. On the other hand, don't place him on a full belly, which might be uncomfortable. When he starts to cry — even if it's only been a minute — try to coax him a bit longer by talking with him or playing with him. When he's had enough, pick him up and try again later. His tolerance for tummy time is likely to increase gradually with experience and a bit of coaxing. And many babies are more content on their tummy once they can roll over and it becomes a matter of choice.

Tip: Some parents find it helpful to roll their babies over on their tummy for a little while after every diaper change. It's easy to remember to do it, and your baby may come to expect it. Your baby may also enjoy the view, if he's up on a changing table. Just be sure to hold on to him so he doesn't roll off.

Tune in to your baby

Try to figure out if there's anything in particular about tummy time that your baby finds distressing. Maybe his blankie gets too scrunched under him for comfort (and that shag carpet is downright scary). Maybe it's too cold on the floor, or too slippery. One mom found that her baby liked tummy time as long as his fists were out from under him so he could suck on them. Another discovered that her baby was just fine on his tummy — as long as he was bare-butt!

Tip: See if your baby likes to be massaged while he's on his tummy. If he does, it could help him feel comfortable in that position.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Naps: The basics

Sleep is vital for babies and young children, whose brains and bodies are developing at an extraordinary rate — but nighttime rest isn't enough. Regular naps help them get the sleep they need.

Do your best to encourage your baby to nap consistently. But keep in mind that his temperament and natural bodily rhythms will help determine how and when he naps. Some babies nap for long stretches every day right from the start and settle easily into a pattern. Others do just fine taking shorter naps or napping at less regular times.

How many naps a day should my baby take?

As a newborn, your baby will sleep for two to four hours at a time, day and night. At this stage, you shouldn't expect any sort of napping pattern. Just let your baby sleep as much as he needs to.

When your baby's 6 to 8 weeks old, he's likely to start consolidating his sleep — he'll sleep less often and for longer stretches at a time. He'll probably need two to four naps a day, and perhaps even more.

At 3 to 4 months of age, many babies begin to follow a more predictable pattern of daytime sleep. This is a good time to start developing a nap schedule (see our tips, below).

By 6 months, your baby will probably be taking two or three naps a day: one in the morning, one in the early afternoon, and another later in the afternoon.

At 9 to 12 months, most babies are down to a solid two naps a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. And by 18 months, most children give up their morning nap altogether but continue to snooze in the afternoon. They'll continue with this pattern until they're 3 or 4 years old.

These are typical patterns, but not all babies follow them. Every baby has his own unique sleep habits. For more information, check out our sample baby sleep schedules.

Scheduling your baby's naps

When your baby's 3 to 4 months old, you can work on developing a nap schedule that's compatible with his natural sleep cycles.

Read the signs
Pay attention to your baby's sleep signals. Does he begin to rub his eyes and get fussy midmorning or right after lunch? Does he often fall asleep in the car in the early afternoon? Do you notice a difference in his alertness and overall mood when he sleeps for longer or shorter periods?

You might want to keep a record of your baby's sleep signals and naps for a week or two. This will help you see your baby's patterns so you can anticipate naps.

For example, if your baby gets cranky and ready to nap by 10 o'clock every morning, you can ease him into it before he gets overtired. Start 15 to 20 minutes before you expect his sleep signals to show up — feed, change, and rock him quietly, keeping your voice low. That way he's already on the road to sleep when that tired feeling overtakes him.

Stick to a schedule
Consistency is the goal: Try to schedule your baby's naps for roughly the same time every day. If you put your baby down for his afternoon nap at 3 o'clock one day and right after lunch the next, for example, your child will have more trouble developing a regular sleep pattern.

Try to avoid activities that conflict with your baby's nap schedule. If an older sibling needs to be picked up at school during naptime, for example, see if you can come up with an alternative arrangement.

If your baby is in daycare during the week and has a regular nap schedule when he's there, follow a similar schedule on the weekends when he's at home with you.

Get more tips on establishing a successful baby schedule.

Don't stress over interruptions
You won't be able to arrange it so your entire household revolves around your baby's nap schedule — especially if you have other children. Life events will interrupt your schedule, and if naps are skipped or delayed from time to time, it isn't a disaster. If you have a solid, regular structure that you can rely on, it'll be easier to get back on track after the inevitable disruptions.

Figuring out the best nap schedule for your baby will take some trial and error, and it will likely change as your child reaches new developmental milestones. You'll need to assess your baby's sleep needs and habits regularly and alter the schedule accordingly.

Developing a nap ritual

A naptime ritual is a good idea, for the same reason it's recommended at night: It helps your child wind down and signals that the sleep period is approaching, so your baby is prepared to rest.

Your naptime ritual can be shorter and less elaborate than the bedtime ritual: a story, a song, and a cuddle, for example. Once you've developed a routine that works for you and that you both enjoy, stick to it as closely as possible.

More practical tips for naps

• Pajamas aren't necessary, but make sure your child is dressed in comfortable clothing that's neither too light nor too heavy.

• Playtime in the period before your baby's nap should be quiet. Avoid loud noise and stimulating play that could make it hard for you child to settle down and go to sleep.

• When you can, put your child down for his nap in the same place he sleeps at night, which he'll associate with going to sleep.

• If you're going on a trip or you know you'll be away from home at naptime, be sure to pack the books and anything else your child has come to associate with sleeping. This will help you maintain your baby's nap and bedtime routine wherever you are.

• Don't wait until your child is overly tired before beginning your going-to-sleep routine. If you do, your child may be too wound up to sleep well — or even to sleep at all. If your child isn't much of a napper, don't blame yourself or your parenting skills — even if your best friend reports that her child is taking three-hour naps every day. All you can do is offer your child the opportunity to sleep by preparing him and putting him down on a consistent schedule.

Your baby may be a natural catnapper, consistently napping for less than an hour at a time. As long as he doesn't seem too tired, fussy, or difficult during waking hours, he's getting the sleep he needs.

Parents' voices

"My 4-month-old has finally begun to nap without a fight. For us, the trick was getting her down the second we saw tired signs (rubbing eyes, yawning, restless). Also, sticking to the same time each day — within an hour at least because sometimes the exact same time isn't doable for Mom and Dad. I take her into her room and rock her for a few minutes while singing a lullaby. This is what we do at bedtime at night, so it's helped her learn that it's time to sleep."
— Stacy

"My 4-month-old used to be horrible with naps. Finally I tried nursing her to sleep on my bed. If I didn't move her once she'd fallen asleep, she'd stay that way for an hour or two. Gradually she got so that I could move her to her bed. Now she'll nurse and then go peacefully into her own bed still awake. We have a crib vibrator under her bassinet mattress that plays music and gently shakes the bed like a bouncer chair would. She loves it! She takes two or three two-hour naps a day."
— First-time mommy

"My 10-week-old baby is finally napping well, and it's because of what I'm doing differently! I'm now putting her down before she's tired, and it's working wonders. I always waited until she was too tired, and the screaming was unbearable. Then we had to walk the floor, rock, bounce, swing, hold her, you name it! It has taken me going in a few times to pop the pacifier back in, but the difference is amazing."
— Anonymous

"An hour or two after my baby wakes up he tends to seem tired (lets out little whimpers, may briefly rub eyes). As soon as I feel it coming on, I head to his nursery. I have the swaddle blanket already laid out in a convenient place. I lay him on top and calmly put the pacifier in his mouth (if he's calm, he'll take it). As soon as he takes it, I gently wrap the swaddle around him, pick him up, and rock him. He may protest for a couple of minutes, but he soon falls asleep. Works like a dream!"
— Anonymous

"If your 3-month-old wakes after 30 to 45 minutes, it doesn't mean he's done with his nap — he's just hasn't figured out how to get back to sleep after the first stage of the sleep cycle. Help him do that and you'll have a more well rested baby! The second stage is much longer — about an hour and a half for my son. Sometimes I have to go in and pat my baby's back and bottom for a few minutes to get him back to sleep. Sometimes I have to let him cry for a few minutes. And sometimes, finally now at 5 months, he wakes up, whimpers, and goes back to sleep all on his own."
— Anonymous

"My daughter, now 4 months old, has always needed to nap on me and would sleep for hours if I held her. Once I put her down, she'd wake right up. What I started doing lately is to put her in her bed and let her cry. I set the timer for ten minutes. If she's still crying after ten minutes, which she always is, I pick her up and apologize and burp her. Then I lay her back down and set the timer again. About halfway through the crying, I give her the pacifier. She goes to sleep and sleeps by herself anywhere from half an hour to three hours."
— Noelia

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - How to tell how much formula your baby needs

Take your baby's cues

The most important thing to take into account when deciding how much to feed is your baby's behavior. Babies eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full. Appetites vary among babies, and each baby's nutritional needs change from day to day and month to month.

Your baby may be hungrier than usual during growth spurts — which typically occur ten to 14 days after birth and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months — and he may want less food if he's not feeling well. That's why it's so important to learn to read your baby's hunger cues.

A key sign that your baby is hungry, of course, will be his cry. But resist the urge to respond to his every whimper with a bottle. Consider the possibility — especially if you've recently fed him — that he may be crying because his diaper is wet. Or maybe he's cold or hot, he needs to be burped, or he simply wants to be close to you.

If your baby is hungry, he might show signs like smacking his lips or sucking, rooting (turning his head toward your hand when you stroke his cheek), and putting his hands to his mouth. You'll know that your baby wants more than you're giving him when he finishes the feeding quickly and looks around for more.

If your baby seems hungry after his first bottle, try preparing just an ounce or two more at a time. If you make a larger amount, he may not finish it and you'll have to throw it out.

Multiply your baby's weight times 2.5 ounces

If your baby isn't eating any solids (if he's younger than 4 to 6 months, he shouldn't be), the rule of thumb is to offer him 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight each day.

So if your baby weighs 6 pounds, you'll give him about 15 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period. If he weighs 10 pounds, he should drink about 25 ounces in a 24-hour period.

Consider your baby's age

How much formula your baby needs depends not only on his weight but also on his age. Let his hunger guide you. As a general guideline:

Most new babies want to eat every two to three hours. (Start with 1 or 2 ounces at each feeding for the first week, then work up to 2 to 4 ounces.) As your baby gets older — and his tummy gets bigger — he'll drink fewer bottles a day with more formula in each.

In a couple of months, for example, he may be down to six to eight bottles of 4 to 6 ounces each every 24 hours. By 4 months, he'll probably drop to four or five bottles of 6 or 7 ounces each, and by his half birthday he'll typically be down to three or four bottles of 7 to 8 ounces each every day.

He'll likely remain at that three- to four-bottle pace until his first birthday, when he can transition to whole cow's milk in a bottle or sippy cup, along with three solid meals and snacks.

Although cow's milk is good for your child once he's the right age, don't overdo it. Drinking more than 16 to 24 ounces a day can reduce his appetite for other healthy foods and lead to iron-deficiency anemia.

Signs that your baby's getting the right amount of formula

Here are some signs that your baby's getting all the formula he needs:

• He seems relaxed and satisfied after a feeding.
• He has five to six wet diapers a day if you're using disposable diapers, or six to eight if you're using cloth diapers. (Disposables hold more liquid.)
• He continues to gain weight after his first two weeks. (Most babies lose between 5 and 9 percent of their birth weight and then regain it by the time they're about 2 weeks old.)

It's possible to give your baby too much formula, and he'll let you know this, too. If after a feeding he vomits (spitting up is normal, vomiting isn't — see how to tell the difference), you may have overfed him.

Another sign of overfeeding is if he seems to have tummy pain — he might draw his legs up and his tummy may be tense.

If you're worried that your baby isn't eating enough or is eating too much, take a look at his weight gain and talk with his doctor. She can tell you whether your baby's intake is appropriate for his size and age, and she can advise you about any adjustments you may need to make.

How much formula do other babies drink?

To see how much formula other babies typically take at different ages, check out our sample baby feeding, sleep, and play schedules.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Developmental milestones: Head control

Head control

At birth, your baby has little control over his head because his neck muscles are fairly weak. He'll develop this crucial skill, which is the foundation for all later movement — such as sitting up and walking — little by little during the first six months of life.

When it develops

Your baby will probably be able to lift his head when he's about a month old, and hold it up when placed in a sitting position at around 4 months. His neck muscles and head control should be strong and steady by age 6 months.

How it develops

Newborns
Your baby will rely on you to support his head and neck for at least the first month or so. Perhaps it's nature's way of making sure you have lots of time to gaze into each other's eyes and bond as you cradle your baby in your arms.

1 to 2 months
By the end of his first month, your baby should be able to lift his head briefly and turn it from side to side when lying on his stomach. At around 6 to 8 weeks, if he's especially strong, he'll raise his head while lying on his back. When you carry him on your shoulder, he'll have enough control to hold his head up shakily, but not for long. He'll also be strong enough to hold up his head while sitting in a car seat or front pack. Wait until he can hold his head up steadily without any support from you to use a jogging stroller or a backpack, though.

3 to 4 months
You'll notice a definite improvement in head control by this time. Your baby will be able to raise his head to 45 degrees while on his tummy and keep it up steadily. For a fun game that also develops his neck muscles, place your baby on his back and slowly pull him up by his hands to a sitting position. Slowly ease him back down, and repeat. At this age, he should be able to hold his head in line with the rest of his body as it's pulled up. Your child may be ready for a jogging stroller at 4 months, but stick to smooth pavement for now. Running trails will be too bouncy for him at this point, unless he can hold his head up well and is able to sit up.

5 to 6 months
By 6 months, your baby will be able to hold his head steady and erect, and he'll flex it forward when he's pulled into a sitting position.

What's next

Once your baby establishes good head control, he can move on to sitting up, rolling over, and crawling. Head control is also necessary for swallowing solid foods and sitting in a highchair.

Your role

You don't have to do much to encourage the development of head control, but you do have to be careful until it's well established. For the first few months, especially, you'll need to cradle your baby's neck and head when you lift him, hold him, or carry him. Although your baby should always sleep on his back, put him on his tummy frequently while he's awake — lifting his head and chest to see you or his toys will strengthen his neck muscles.

From 3 to 6 months, you may want to prop your baby in a sitting position — in a safe place, with plenty of neck and head support. Use pillows, or set him on your lap, with his back against you. Have him sit in different spots around your home so his view changes. Never leave him sitting unattended, though, because he could topple over.

If you're a runner, avoid taking your baby out with you in a jogging stroller until he masters head control. When you think he's ready, pick a jogger with a five-point harness, which offers the most support.

When to be concerned

If your baby seems to struggle to lift his head up even slightly at 3 months, mention it at your next doctor visit. Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others, and head control is no exception. Premature babies may reach this and other milestones later than their peers — check with your child's doctor if you're worried.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Checking your baby's breathing

How often should I check my baby's breathing?

As often as you feel you need to. And if you feel compelled to check your baby's breathing all the time, you're not alone. Consider your vigilance a reflection of how seriously you're taking parenthood.

It may help to keep in mind that babies have various stages of slumber — sometimes deep and still, sometimes active, sometimes noisy and snuffly. Your comfort level should grow with experience, but it's okay if you continue to make nightly forays into your child's bedroom, just to check on his breathing, for years to come.

Danielle Buckley-Werner remembers feeling panic-stricken every time she put her son to bed during his first months of life.

"I was sure that if I wasn't there to hear him breathe, then he couldn't take a breath," she says. "I was so tired all the time because when he slept, I would watch him. I finally collapsed on the floor of the nursery one afternoon and realized that something had to give if I was going to have the energy to be a good mom."

Buckley-Werner started taking naps with her son and using a baby monitor when she couldn't. For the first three months, she and her husband, Daniel, kept the crib in their room so they could easily respond to any coughs, cries, or breathing emergencies — which, thankfully, never arose.

"I can't tell new parents that they shouldn't worry and that constantly checking breathing is insane," says Buckley-Werner. "But depriving yourself of rest and waking your baby up all the time will exhaust everyone. For me, keeping my baby close helped me overcome my fears that he'd stop breathing."

How can I stop worrying so much about SIDS?

It may calm some of your fears to know that sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is rare, afflicting fewer than 1 in 1,000 infants. What's more, 90 percent of SIDS cases happen before age 6 months, and the risk virtually disappears when a baby reaches his first birthday.

No one knows exactly what causes SIDS (although there are plenty of theories), and there's no surefire way to prevent it. Thankfully, the incidence of SIDS has dropped dramatically in recent years as more risk factors are identified and more parents learn to avoid them.

To help guard against SIDS, always put your baby to sleep on his back, and if you or another family member smokes, give it up. (Read more about reducing the risk of SIDS.)

It's also a good idea to learn infant and child CPR. Knowing CPR will help ease your fears and enable you to respond to any serious breathing emergencies throughout childhood.

Call the Red Cross or the hospital where you delivered to find an infant CPR class, or consider organizing an infant CPR party for yourself and other new parents in your area. Take your spouse and the babysitter along, too.

How can I tell if my baby has stopped breathing and what should I do about it?

Newborns do what's called periodic breathing: They breathe progressively more quickly and deeply, then more slowly and shallowly, then pause for up to 15 seconds, and then start up again with progressively deeper breaths. This is normal and will evolve into a more mature pattern of breathing, with occasional sighs, in the first few months of life.

If you suspect that your baby has stopped breathing or simply want to reassure yourself, touch or rouse him a bit to see whether he responds. If he doesn't, he may be experiencing something called apnea, and you should call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

If this happens and you know how to administer infant CPR, you should begin emergency treatment right away and have someone else call for emergency help. If you're alone with your baby, administer CPR for two minutes, then call for help, then resume CPR until help arrives or your baby starts breathing again.

It's not unusual for a baby's hands, feet, and skin around his mouth to be bluish. But if his forehead or the trunk of his body turns blue, it's another sign that he may be in danger.

In most cases, babies' irregular breathing habits are nothing to worry about. But babies who have had more than one apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) are at increased risk for long-term complications or sudden unexpected death. An ALTE is an episode in which a baby stops breathing. He may also become limp, turn blue, and choke or gag.

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2 - Baby sleep training: The basics

What is sleep training?

Sleep training is the process of helping a baby learn to get to sleep and stay asleep through the night.

Some babies seem to develop a regular sleep routine quickly and easily. But many others have trouble settling down to sleep — or getting back to sleep when they've been wakened — and they need help and guidance along the way.

When can I start and what are the stages of sleep training?

The first three months
Don't try to impose a sleep schedule or training program on a newborn. Your new baby will need to feed every few hours, around the clock, so it's normal and healthy for him to sleep for just a few hours at a time. Respond promptly to his cries, feed and comfort him, and try to sleep when he does to minimize your own sleep deprivation.

Beginning at about 6 weeks, you can reinforce your child's biological rhythms by establishing a regular bedtime routine. At about the same time every night, for instance, give him a warm bath, read him a book, and then feed him before putting him to bed. (For more ideas, see our article on bedtime routines.) Try to get your baby up at around the same time every morning and put him down for naps at the same point in the day.

At this stage, consider your routine and your baby's sleep schedule as a work in progress: During the first three months of life, your baby will gradually sleep more at night and less during the day. You'll need to keep adjusting the schedule as your baby matures and develops.

3 to 6 months and beyond
Typically, by age 3 months or so, babies have started to develop more of a regular sleep/wake pattern and have dropped most of their night feedings. And somewhere between 3 and 6 months, experts say, most babies are ready for sleep training and are capable of sleeping through the night. They're not talking about eight hours, though — they generally mean a stretch of five or six hours.

Of course, every baby is different: Some may be ready earlier, others later. And some will sleep seven hours or longer at an early age while others won't do so until they're much older.

Before starting sleep training, make sure your baby doesn't have any medical conditions that affect his sleep. Then be flexible about how you apply your chosen program and carefully observe how your baby reacts. If he's very resistant or you see a change for the worse in his overall mood and behavior, stop and wait a few weeks before trying again.

If you're not sure whether your baby's ready for sleep training, ask your doctor.

What are my sleep training options?

There are many different ways to teach healthy sleep habits to your child. Which technique should you try? That depends on what you feel comfortable with — and which sleep strategy you think your child will respond well to.

Consistency is more important than method. A review of 52 sleep studies using various methods, published in 2006 in the journal Sleep, found almost all the techniques effective if applied consistently. Choose a sleep training method you can live with and follow through on it — and chances are, it'll work for you.

Most sleep training methods follow one of two basic approaches:

"Cry it out"
These sleep training methods say it's okay to leave your child to cry, if necessary, although they don't advocate letting a baby cry endlessly. Typically these approaches suggest putting your baby to bed when he's still awake and allowing short periods of crying punctuated by comforting (but not picking up) your child.

The most well known "cry it out" technique is the one developed by pediatrician Richard Ferber, director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children's Hospital Boston. Ferber says that in order to fall asleep on their own and sleep through the night, babies have to learn to soothe themselves. Ferber believes that teaching a baby to soothe himself may involve leaving him alone to cry for prescribed periods of time.

Find out more:

Article: Baby Sleep Training: Cry It Out Methods

Video: Baby Sleep: The Ferber Method and follow-up article, How I Got My Baby to Sleep Through the Night: Two Families Tell All
Follow first-time parents Mike and Margie Gunn's efforts to teach their 5-month-old to sleep through the night using the Ferber method.

Sleep resources: Experts, books, websites, and more

No tears
Sleep training methods in this category encourage a more gradual approach, with the parent offering comfort right away when their child cries. Pediatrician William Sears, author of The Baby Sleep Book, is probably the most well known proponent. Parent educator Elizabeth Pantley outlines a step-by-step no-tears approach in her book The No-Cry Sleep Solution.

Find out more:

Article: Baby Sleep Training: No Tears Methods

Video: Baby Sleep: The Sears Method and follow-up article, How I Got My Baby to Sleep Through the Night: Two Families Tell All

Watch as first-time parents Tamara and Cameron O'Neil try to teach their 5-month-old to sleep through the night using the Sears method.

Sleep resources: Experts, books, websites, and more

What the experts say

Richard Ferber, author of Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems
"By the time your baby is 3 months old and has developed a fairly predictable 24-hour pattern, it becomes more important for you to provide increasingly consistent structure. If you do your best to establish a reasonable and consistent daily routine and keep to it as much as possible, then it is likely that your child will continue to develop good patterns. If instead you allow the times of your child's feedings, playtimes, baths, and other activities to change constantly, chances are his sleep will become irregular as well."

Marc Weissbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
"For infants under 3 or 4 months of age, you should try to flow with the child's need for sleep. Don't expect predictable sleep schedules, and don't try to enforce them rigidly...After about 4 months, I think parents can influence sleep durations."

William Sears, author of The Baby Sleep Book
"Be prepared for one style of nighttime parenting to work at one stage of an infant's life yet need a change as he enters another stage. Be open to trying different approaches. Follow your heart rather than some stranger's sleep training advice, and you and your baby will eventually work out the right nighttime parenting style for your family."

Cathryn Tobin, author of The Lull-A-Baby Sleep Plan
"After completing my residency at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, one of the world's busiest pediatric medical centers, it struck me that our culture goes about infant sleep training completely backward. First we allow bad sleep habits to form, then we go to extremes trying to break them. Once I recognized this crucial mistake, the solution to the dreadful problem of sleep deprivation became crystal clear: Encourage young babies to develop good habits right from the start, and you won't need to break bad ones down the road."

Jodi Mindell, author of Sleeping Through the Night
"The more practice your baby gets putting himself to sleep, the quicker the process works. He will fall asleep on his own, and you will get the sleep you need...Don't wait too long, though. The earlier, the better. Remember, once your baby gets older — that is, at least 5 or 6 months — the process of getting your child on a sleep schedule and to sleep through the night gets more difficult."

Tracy Hogg, author of Secrets of the Baby Whisperer
"What a good many people don't realize is that babies need parents' direction to establish proper sleep habits. In fact, the reason so-called sleep problems are common is because so many parents don't realize that they, not their babies, must control bedtime."

Do I have to use a sleep training method for my child?

No. Parents often decide to try a particular method because they're exhausted or frustrated by their child's sleep habits and nothing they've tried on their own seems to work. If you're happy with the way things are going, count your blessings and continue what you're doing.

Families have different expectations and tolerances. A 9-month-old who wakes up twice a night might have one set of parents tearing their hair out while another family wouldn't have it any other way. If sleep isn't going well for your family, you'll know it — and you might want to read up on methods devised by experts and other parents for help.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Some children are naturally good sleepers and before too long they fall into a pattern of sleep that everyone's happy with. Others are naturally fussy or wakeful and may need more structure — or more nurturing — to help them sleep well.

• Every child, even within the same family, is different. So if the sleep strategies you used with your first child aren't working with the next one, you may need some new ideas.

• You don't have to follow an entire method. You might find just one aspect of a particular method that's effective for your child. Feel free to take what you can use.

• Sometimes common sense is the best "method." Families often develop their own ways of getting their kids into good sleep habits. If it works, keep going.

Parents' voices

"My first daughter was sleeping through the night (10 p.m. to 9 a.m.) by 6 months. We had a complete bedtime routine — a bath, a book, a bottle, then to bed, a little music in the crib, and asleep in ten minutes. It was wonderful, but that scenario didn't work for my second daughter and hasn't worked for my son, so I've tried different things for each of them. Sometimes a plan doesn't work. Listen to your baby — he or she will tell you what you need to know."
— LaKisha

"My 3-month-old doesn't sleep through the night, and it's fine with me. I keep her in her crib or a bassinet until her 3 a.m. feeding, and then she joins my husband and me until we get up for work. She won't go in her crib unless she's already asleep, usually from nursing and rocking, but she'll fall asleep in her bassinet beside our bed. She's happy and we're happy, and even if it goes against the wisdom of the experts, it's working for us."
— Anonymous

"My first cried it out and all was well. My second cried it out but it took much longer until all was well. My third, if allowed to cry too long, literally freaked out. He threw himself around his crib and would rarely calm down and fall asleep. On the rare occasion that he fell asleep, he'd wake up within minutes screaming bloody murder. Letting him cry it out was clearly not working so I looked for other options. Find your child's groove. You'll be glad you did."
— L.B.'s Mama

"My 4-and-a-half-month-old will only sleep through the night if we do everything the experts say not to do. She must be nursed or slept with unless we want to see her turn purple and cry for 45 minutes or more. She's like a wind-up doll when she starts and never settles until she's comforted, and she's been that way from the beginning. It really became a matter of, do we want to sleep or do we want to do what the books say? If she's comforted and put down sleeping, she sleeps eight to ten hours. To all you parents out there who have a baby like mine, do not despair — just do what works for you."
— Amanda

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2 MONTH OLD : WEEK 2

Your 2-month-old: Week 2

How your baby's growing:

If your baby is sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up in the wee hours. But even babies who aren't sleeping through the night at this stage should be sleeping and staying awake for longer intervals rather than cycling back and forth so much. Your baby will probably have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours.

An interesting note: Whether your baby is a night owl or a morning lark, a long sleeper or short sleeper, that pattern will probably stay the same throughout childhood.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 2-month-old's development.
Your life: Finding good childcare
Even if you're already certain which kind of childcare arrangement you prefer, it can be a good idea to get a sense of your full range of options. You may be surprised by what you find.

When looking for a daycare center or home daycare that's right for your baby, ask other parents for advice and shop around. Visit as many places as you can, and try to spend as much time as possible at each one at various times of the day, talking with the employees, directors, and parents to get a sense of what the different facilities are like. Pay attention to how the staff interacts with your baby. If you're looking for a babysitter or nanny, get references from others and follow up on them. Then consider doing a trial run by having the sitter or nanny watch your baby for a few hours while you do an errand or take care of some things at home.

Find out about the pros, cons, and costs of various childcare options.
3 questions about: Reflux
What is reflux?
Reflux is when food and acid move from the stomach back into the esophagus. It's normal for all babies to have some reflux — they'll spit up or regurgitate a little milk after some feedings. It's estimated that up to 50 percent of babies spit up daily. Most of these episodes are brief and don't cause symptoms. However, if your baby is burping up large amounts of milk throughout the day or vomiting more than a few times a day, it could be a problem called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Reflux may be associated with prolonged crankiness and pain with eating. In severe cases, babies with GERD gag, cough, or don't gain enough weight. Make sure to mention any reflux symptoms to your baby's doctor.

What causes reflux?
The main problem is a weak esophageal sphincter — the muscular valve that connects the throat to the stomach. Most babies are born with a relatively relaxed lower esophageal sphincter. Because of this looseness, food doesn't stay in the stomach where it belongs. Swallowing too much air and overfeeding can also contribute to reflux.

How is reflux treated?
In most cases, babies grow out of the problem by their first birthday, as their sphincter muscles strengthen. If your baby is being fed formula, her doctor may suggest switching to a soy-based or hypoallergenic formula. You may be advised to try smaller and more frequent feedings to keep your baby's stomach from filling too much or too often. Some studies suggest that adding baby rice cereal to breast milk or formula to thicken it may improve some reflux symptoms. Holding your baby in a semivertical position during and after feedings, with her head elevated about 30 degrees, may help keep the milk from coming back up. Even frequent burping can reduce reflux symptoms. The doctor might prescribe an antacid or acid-blocking medication for your baby to take daily, similar to the medicine adults take for heartburn (but don't give your baby any medications without a doctor's order). She may also suggest further evaluation of your baby's symptoms with a pH probe, which is inserted into the esophagus to measure reflux episodes and acid levels. Other ways to evaluate reflux include X-rays of the gastrointestinal tract and endoscopy, in which a tube with a camera is placed in the baby's upper GI tract to view and biopsy the area.
Hot topics this week
Baby behavior explained
• Can you spoil your baby?
• Why babies cry so much
See all our baby behavior information

Staying connected
• How to maintain your pre-baby friendships
• Great ways to meet other parents
• Connect with moms and dads on our bulletin boards
See all our articles about friends and family

Sniffling and sneezing
• Treating your baby's first cold
• How to clear a stuffy nose with a bulb syringe
• When to call the doctor
• Find out what's ailing your baby with our Symptom Guide
See all our baby health articles

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