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Peabody ParentsTalk, play, read and grow, from day one

Your newborn

The first weeks are for getting to know each other. Play is simple: your face, your voice and your touch, in short moments when your baby is awake and calm.

The CDC's first milestone checklist is at 2 months. By then, most babies (75% or more) do things like “Calms down when spoken to or picked up” and “Looks at your face”. Before that there's no checklist, so this page has the 2-month list coming up, and play, talk and reading ideas for these first weeks.

Checked October 29, 2026.

Coming up, by 2 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

  • Calms down when spoken to or picked up
  • Looks at your face
  • Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
  • Smiles when you talk to or smile at her

Language/Communication Milestones

  • Makes sounds other than crying
  • Reacts to loud sounds

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Watches you as you move
  • Looks at a toy for several seconds

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

  • Holds head up when on tummy
  • Moves both arms and both legs
  • Opens hands briefly

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 2 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 2 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

  1. Face to face

    When your baby is awake and calm, hold them close and let them study your face. Talk slowly, smile and pause. If they turn away, that's a sign they need a break.

  2. Tummy time on your chest

    Lie back and lay your baby tummy-down on your chest. Talk to them so they try to lift their head to see you.

    Safety: Only while your baby is awake and you're right there.

  3. Say what you're doing

    While you change a diaper or wash hands and feet, say each step out loud: "Now the warm cloth. Now your arm." Your voice is the game.

Things to say

  • “Hello, little one. I'm right here.”
  • “That was a big yawn!”
  • “You're looking at me. I see you.”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A lullaby to sing

Hush, Little Baby. Sing it softly while you rock. Any tune will do; it's your voice that counts.

The words are on Peabody's Lullabies with lyrics list.

Questions parents ask about this age

Talk to your pediatrician if…

You're worried about anything at all. There's no CDC checklist before 2 months, but the CDC's advice holds at any age.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

  • What are some things you and your baby do together?
  • What are some things your baby likes to do?
  • Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
  • Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
  • Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 2 months page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents

Your newborn

Coming up, by 2 months

  • Calms down when spoken to or picked up
  • Looks at your face
  • Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
  • Smiles when you talk to or smile at her
  • Makes sounds other than crying
  • Reacts to loud sounds
  • Watches you as you move
  • Looks at a toy for several seconds
  • Holds head up when on tummy
  • Moves both arms and both legs
  • Opens hands briefly

Play today

  • Face to face
  • Tummy time on your chest
  • Say what you're doing

Say

  • “Hello, little one. I'm right here.”
  • “That was a big yawn!”
  • “You're looking at me. I see you.”

Read or sing

Hush, Little Baby

Worried?

Talk to your pediatrician. Don't wait.

Milestones in the CDC's words, from “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (most children, 75% or more, do these by that age). parent.peabody.kids/age/newborn

Sources