Parenting Email Program
Adult and baby smiling at each other.

Hello,

Your baby is now two months old! Today we’ll be talking about milestones, donating your milk, and helping your baby sleep.

Immunization alert!

It’s time for your baby to get their immunizations at two months of age.
Adult holding baby.

Looksee Checklist

You can now do the two-month Looksee Checklist with your baby.
Does your child:
  • Follow movement with their eyes?
  • Study your face?
  • Startle or wake to loud noises?
  • Stop crying when comforted by you?
  • Enjoy being touched and cuddled?
  • Recognize and calm down to a familiar gentle voice?
  • Have different cries? (tired, hungry)
  • Have a variety of sounds? (coos, gurgles)
  • Suck well on the nipple?
  • Feed every two to four hours during the day?
  • Lift head when on their tummy?
  • Hold head up when held at your shoulder?
  • Move arms and legs?
Follow up with your health-care provider if you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions or if you have concerns about your child’s development.
Two bottles of pumped breast milk with pumping lids attached.

Donating your milk

Some parents are interested in donating their extra milk to other families. The safest way to donate your milk is to an official human milk bank. Human milk banks will screen donors, pasteurize the milk, and test it to ensure its safety. Donated milk is given to sick and premature babies in hospital and can help reduce their risk of developing medical complications.
Baby sleeping in crib on it's back.

Helping your baby sleep

Believe it or not, napping during the day helps your baby to sleep better at night. Some babies nap as little as 20 minutes, while others may nap for three or more hours. Both are normal.

Try using a shorter version of your baby’s bedtime routine before a nap, for example, a short story and cuddle. When you can, place your baby to sleep in the same place for daytime napping and nighttime sleeping.
Remember to place your baby on their back to sleep and tummy to play. If your baby rolls over onto their tummy while sleeping, you do not need to move them onto their back.

Some babies may develop a flattened area on the back or side of their head. This is called plagiocephaly. Follow these tips to help prevent flat spots:
  • Provide supervised tummy time to your baby when they are awake. This helps develop strong neck, shoulder and arm muscles. Aim for three 10 to 15 minute sessions a day.
  • Avoid long periods in car seats, baby seats, and swings where your baby’s head is in the same position.
Smiling adult running with arms up, belly showing.

Taking care of you

When you are feeling your best, you are better able to take care of your baby and adapt to parenthood.

Take care of yourself by:
  • Listening to your body’s signals.
  • Eating a variety of foods each day from Canada’s Food Guide.
  • Being active each day by doing something you enjoy.
  • Spending time with family and friends.
  • Getting enough sleep and taking breaks throughout the day.
Now that your baby is a bit older and things may be starting to feel more routine, we’re going to start sending you emails once a month.
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