Appointments – What to expect in the 2nd month?

• U3 (4th to 5th week of life): Usually the U3 is performed more often in the fifth than in the fourth week of life. Babies develop so quickly at this age that the difference of one week can be huge. Write down everything that concerns or unsettles you in everyday baby life so you can ask your pediatrician targeted questions at the U3.

• Hip screening: As part of the U3, a second hip ultrasound is also required. The hip is examined by ultrasound for possible misalignments. The pediatrician does not always perform the sonography – you will often receive a referral to an orthopedist of your choice. Maybe other parents can recommend a good, child-friendly practice so the hip screening goes as smoothly as possible.

• Vaccination against rotavirus: Perhaps your pediatrician has already mentioned the oral rotavirus vaccine, which is possible from the 6th week of life. Rotaviruses are the most common cause of gastrointestinal infections. Their symptoms are unpleasant but very rarely life-threatening. The STIKO recommends the vaccination because it greatly reduces the risk of severe diarrheal disease in babies, at least during the first year of life – ultimately, however, it is a personal decision that lies solely with the parents.

• Entry on the income tax card: Sure your baby now has a health insurance card and perhaps already a tax number. But also remember to have your child registered with the tax office on your income tax card so you can claim the tax allowances.

Important developmental milestones in the 2nd month

• Hearing: Even though hearing is not yet fully developed, your baby consciously perceives sounds and listens attentively to voices or melodies. It recognizes voices and increasingly tries out its own. Pay attention to whether your baby reacts to sudden noises like clapping – if not, you should have a hearing test performed by your pediatrician.

• Reactions: After the spontaneous 'angel smile' of the first weeks, your baby begins in the second month to smile at you deliberately and to communicate with you through sounds. Often it also kicks its arms and legs as an immediate reaction when it is happy.

• Vision improves: In the second month, babies can already recognize colors and distinct patterns – especially bright red fascinates many babies. Don't worry if your child occasionally squints. Although it can see more clearly with each day, it still does not have full control over the eye muscles.

• Motor skills: The reflexive grasp diminishes, so that your baby in the second month can already partly 'take objects into their hand'. Its movements become somewhat more controlled and it no longer appears as fragile as a newborn. A baby massage is both stimulating and enjoyable for your baby at this age.

How much should my child weigh in the 2nd month?

In the second month of life you'll notice that bodysuits or rompers from the first weeks may become a bit tight and thus possibly the first change in clothing size is due. At HABA you can also find many grow-with-me bodysuits, which can be adjusted at the crotch – thus they grow with the baby and fit for longer. Babies in this developmental phase are about 57 to 58 centimeters long and weigh between 5,100 and 5,600 grams. A baby's physical development is individual, so these are primarily guideline values.

Image credits

Mother holding baby in her hands © GTeam - stock.adobe.com

Modern baby scale on the table © New Africa - stock.adobe.com