The month of the first real smile Your baby starts "saying hello" with a grin and soft coos — the reward for 8 very hard weeks.

Two months in is the point when many parents say "it's finally all worth it" — your baby is smiling back at you intentionally (the social smile), making cooing sounds, and beginning real back-and-forth interaction.

But this month also brings the first round of vaccines, per Thailand's EPI schedule, and possibly a growth spurt that leaves your baby suddenly ravenous. This article draws on guidance from WHO [1], AAP [2] [3], and the Royal Thai College of Pediatricians.

Milestones to expect at 2 months

Per AAP guidance [3]:

Social smile — smiles back when you smile or talk to them
Sustained eye contact — holds your gaze longer and more intentionally
Calms to familiar voices — your voice is already deeply recognized
Cooing — soft vowel sounds, "aah…", "ooh…"

Physical development

Better head control in tummy time — lifts to about 45°
Beginning to push up on their arms by the end of the month
More coordinated arm and leg movements than in month one
Hands still mostly fisted but beginning to open
Discovering their hands — sucking on them more

Visual development

Follows moving objects within about 30–40 cm
Distinguishing colors more clearly — red and blue are vivid
Tracks your face from side to side
Blinks at sudden bright light or approaching objects

Hearing development

Turns toward sounds or startles at loud noises
Settles to music or familiar voices
Beginning to distinguish your voice from others

The 2-month vaccines (important)

Per Thailand's EPI schedule:

Core vaccines (free under the national program)

DTP-HB-Hib1 — combined 5-in-1 vaccine (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, Hib meningitis) — first dose
OPV1 — oral polio vaccine — first dose
Rota1 — rotavirus vaccine — first dose

Optional vaccines (out-of-pocket cost)

PCV1 — pneumococcal vaccine (protects against pneumonia and meningitis) — approximately 3,500–5,000 THB
IPV — injectable polio vaccine (may be included in 6-in-1 formulation)

What to expect after the vaccines

Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site — resolves on its own within 1–2 days
Low fever 37.5–38.5°C — normal; use paracetamol as directed by your pharmacist or doctor
Fussiness and extra crying for 24–48 hours
Feeding less on the first day
Severe allergic reaction (rash, labored breathing) — very rare; go to hospital immediately if this happens [4]

How to care for your baby after vaccines

Extra holding and comfort — they need it more right now
Feed on demand — breastfeeding for comfort is fine
Sponge with warm water if fever rises
Ask your pharmacist about fever reducer before giving any medication
Wait at the clinic for at least 30 minutes after the shots

Growth spurt — when baby suddenly can't get enough

Many parents notice a growth spurt around 6–8 weeks:

Feeding much more often — possibly every 1–2 hours
Extra fussiness and crying, even just after a feed
Sleeping more or less than usual
Seeming impossible to satisfy

This is your baby's body — especially the brain — growing rapidly. It typically lasts 2–3 days before things settle back to normal. If you're breastfeeding, your milk supply will adjust upward to meet demand automatically; no need to supplement with formula.

Feeding

At 2 months, babies typically feed 8–10 times per day, every 2–3 hours
Volume: breast milk on demand; formula approximately 90–150 ml per feed
Weight gain of around 150–200 g per week is typical
Wet diapers: at least 6–8 per day — a reliable sign of adequate intake
Stools: breastfed babies often shift to less frequent stools — once or twice a day, or every 2–3 days; both are normal

Sleep

14–16 hours per day total
Longer nighttime stretches starting to emerge — some babies manage 4–6 hour runs
Circadian rhythm is not yet fully established — it needs help
Teaching day vs. night:
- Daytime: open the curtains, talk at normal volume
- Night: dim lights, quiet voice, no playtime
ABCs of safe sleep: Alone · Back · Crib [1]

When to call your doctor

Fever ≥ 38.0°C — in babies under 3 months, this is a medical emergency; go to hospital now
Refusing to feed or feeding very poorly over multiple sessions
Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day
Projectile vomiting or vomiting at every feed
Jaundice still present after 2 weeks of age
Crying inconsolably for more than 3 hours with no obvious cause
No response to sounds or faces — may signal a hearing or developmental concern
Unusual limpness or stiffness
No social smile at all by 8 weeks — mention this to your pediatrician

Summary

Month 2 is a turning point for baby and parents alike — that first intentional smile is the reward for 8 exhausting weeks.

Key priorities this month:

Get the DTP-HB-Hib1 + OPV1 + Rota1 vaccines at the scheduled appointment
Expect a growth spurt around 6–8 weeks — hunger and fussiness will spike briefly
Start reinforcing day and night differences for sleep
Do short tummy time sessions when your baby is awake and alert
Look for the social smile — a reassuring developmental milestone
Fever ≥ 38°C in babies under 3 months = emergency — go to hospital immediately

And take care of yourself too — 2 months of sleep deprivation is real. Ask for help when you need it, and celebrate every small win, starting with that first smile.

Baby at 2 Months: First Real Smile, First Vaccines, and Growth Spurts