Developmental Milestones for a 2-Month-Old Baby

Gross Motor Development

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that at 2 months of age, a baby should be able to lift their head and chest when placed on their stomach, demonstrating head control in the prone position 1, 2, 3
• Lifts head and chest when lying on stomach, which is the key gross motor skill that defines typical development at this age 1, 2, 3

Fine Motor Development

• The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines state that no specific fine motor milestones are expected at 2 months of age, with fine motor skills emerging later at 4 months 1, 2, 3

Important Context for Assessment

• The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that these milestones represent mean ages of performance, meaning some variation is normal, and marked delays beyond these ages warrant attention 1, 3
• The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that marked delays beyond the expected ages do not necessarily signify neuromotor disease 3

Developmental Trajectory

• By 4 months, infants are expected to demonstrate skills such as rolling prone to supine, supporting on elbows/wrists in prone, hands unfisted, playing with fingers at midline, and grasping objects 1, 2
• By 9 months, infants are expected to demonstrate skills such as rolling both directions, sitting without support, and demonstrating motor symmetry, with absence of these skills at 9 months signifying delay 2, 3

Clinical Considerations

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends continuous developmental surveillance at every visit, with parents' concerns about development being elicited and documented 1
• For infants born before 36 weeks gestation, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises correcting for prematurity for at least the first 24 months when assessing milestones 1