Baby - Second Month

'Development - Second Month'

What your baby does at this age:	Recognizes differents faces and voices. Shows by her responses that she prefers people to objects. Follow movements with her eyes. Enjoys watching brightly colored, three-dimensional objects. Open her hands more often, rather than keeping them balled in a fist. Likes to suck on objects. Can quiet herself with sucking. Holds an object for s few seconds before dropping it. Has definite preferences for sleeping positions.
Important Changes:	Your baby shows a broader range of feelings, including pleasure, anticipation and unhappiness. She can now be soothed by the sound of a familiar voice and be being held. Feeding and sleeping times are becoming well established. This month, she may start sleeping through the night, but some babies will still wake up frequently to be fed. You baby's movements are less jerky as her nervous system develops, although she's still not very coordinated. Her head control is improving.
Caring for your baby:	Protect your baby against falls. Don't leave her unwatched on the changing table for an instant. Avoid putting her infant seat near something she can grab onto an tumble herself over. Prevent diaper rash by cleaning your baby bottom after each diaper change and protecting her sensitive skin with a thin layer of zinc ointment. When bathing your baby, place a towel on the bottom of the basin or tub to keep her from slipping. Support her firmly with your free arm and hand. Clean her eyes, and nose gently with a washcloth or cotton balls, not cottons swabs. Take your baby to the doctor for her first immunizations and well-baby check.