2 Month Old with No Interest in Faces

Hi H.,

I wouldn't worry much at this age about that. All babies are different and develop at different paces. My first baby was smiling at about 7 weeks so I panicked when my second one was even smiling for gas at 12 weeks. I asked my pediatrician about it and she told me not to worry. Within 2 weeks of that appointment, he was grinning non stop. As far as studying faces, the world is still very new to him and he's likely studying everything around him in his own way. At this age, I wouldn't be too concerned.

About me: I'm a stay at home mom with 3 year-old and 9 month-old boys.

Everyone has a different personality, even that young... my youngest daughter would not make eye contact with anyone, and as she got older it turned out that she was really shy! At age 16, she still is. Both of my daughters kept their personalities from their first breath until now.

I have 23 month old twins and remember that time very well. I fed them both at the same time all the time. They always looked around. It was only on occasion they focused on me. At first I wondered what was wrong or if it was normal, but later I realized that they were looking and learning about their surroundings and would look at me when they were done. So I think its normal and nothing you should worry about. Congratulations on your new baby boy!

Dear H., I see that all the other responses are telling you to "Not worry- 2 months is very young " Those are all true. I don't want to scare you, but if he was my little guy, I would keep on eye on it. He is very young, it is true. However if this keeps up past another couple of months, and if he doesn't show "shared aspect" with you- following along visually when you say or point to something- talk to your doctor about it. If the doctor doesn't really listen to you- call the local Regional Center or Early Intervention School team and make a referral. People who are experienced in the field can come out and talk to you, observe you with your little boy and make recommendations. I work with preschool kids who have autistic syndrome. I'm not saying your little guy is NOT "normal"- however if there is a problem, the earlier the intervention the better. There is earlier help available for kids with social/language deficits that before. For many of the kids- early intervention really makes a significant difference. He probably IS following along normal development like everybody else has said- but if he isn't, it's not the end of the world.

Amy Weatherby and Barry Prizant have done lots of research with young children and are a good resource to read.

Thank you for your concern. Just because you are a new mommy doesn't mean that your gut feelings are "wrong."

At two months, babies' vision is still very blurry and they have trouble focusing on things. Babies start smiling around 2 1/2 months or so. If he's not doing these things in another month or so, you should talk to your pediatrician if you're concerned. Don't worry, you're a perfectly normal worried new mommy. :)

All babies develop differently, I wouldn't worry too much yet. In a month or two if he is not interested in faces, ie: doesn't respond to smiles and your face or dad's, then I would talk to the ped. But he sounds ok to me if he is looking at you when feeding. And I know you are prob desperate for a smile but don't stress on that either, it will happen soon enough, some babies just take longer to smile than others.

Hi H., your baby is only 2 months old. I don't know who you he shoud be interested in faces, cause this is a first for me, and I;ve been a mom for a long time. I think sometimes as new moms we hear things like my baby is doing this and my babys is already that, and if ours isn't we worry something is wrong,there's no ALL babies do this at this age Or ALL babies do that at that age. At this point i wouldn't worry, but if you need peace of mind as a new mom call his ped and ask, always get your conserns answered, so you can spend less time worry, and spend more time having fun with your baby. J.

For sure the smiling is nothing to worry about. They usually don't do true smiles until later. Try not to worry...when your baby is around 6 months old, there will be lots and lots of smiles for you!

no worries at all. My girl didn't smile till 4, almost 5 months and now she never stops smiling. At 2 months I am pretty sure their eyes are still developing. You should have no stress.

hello H., most babies usually smile at about 6 weeks of age. I think you should talk to your Dr. if you feel like something is not right. Always go with your gut! I'm sure your baby is probably fine though. God Bless you and your Family!

I'm a speech pathologist and a general developmental guide that I sometimes use is: by 3 months a child should:
-startle to a sudden sound
-turn toward where a sound is coming from
-recognize your voice (parents)
-look at you with interest when you talk to him
-indicate contentment or amusement by smiling
-make sounds such as cooing (oo, ah)

Just keep an eye on him and his developmental milestones. If you feel he is not meeting them, talk to you doctor! The earlies the better. As the previous poster mentioned Regional Center is a great resource!!

I am mom of four, and each was different. Every baby is different and they each develop at different rates. There is nothing to worry about. ENJOY your baby! Stop having expectations. Your baby is not "supposed" to be focusing on your face. He is perfectly normal. He is just being himself! My youngest nursed for 18 months and never ever focused on my face. Right from the start he acted like nursing was a private act and he just tuned me out. Also, he only rarely smiled for the first 4 months. Was I worried? No, because he was my fourth and I'd learned that children do not develop according to a book or a timeline. He turns 9 in a few weeks and is very smart, healthy and happy - probably my most intelligent child. There is nothing to worry about. Appreciate him for who he is.

Jeanine and Jennifer gave you good advice. I also work with Autistic children and visually impaired babies. These can be signs of either but it may be nothing yet. If you get concernd or another month or 2 go by and nothing has changed. Call your regional center, they will do a full evaluation. EARLY intervention is the key for any delay or diagnosis.
BEST OF LUCK!

My son was about 2- 2 1/2 months before he made full on eye contact and smiled a whole lot. I was also worried but now he is 4 months and is the happiest baby ever! My daughter was all smiles at birth but my son wanted to wait a bit =) Dont worry so much, you may have a little anxiety - as I did - but Im sure he is fine. Good luck to you new momma!

Don't worry so much!! Babies develop sometimes at a slower pace then others!! But it doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about!! My daughter took forever to talk and pronounce words fully and even needed help in Elementary and barely talked till pre-school!! And now you can't shut her up for anything!! The best advice I could offer you when it's comes to feeling things about your child is that, always following your gut feeling and that will always help you make the right choices!!! Mother/child bonds......their unbreakable!! Good Luck!!

V.

This is totally normal. I voiced these same concerns to my ped when my DD was 4 weeks old. She laughed and told me many mothers have the same concerns and it it totally the norm. Your baby will start growing by leaps and bounds and all these things will come in time. My little girl is now 6 months old...social as can be, interactive and doesn't miss a thing. She is also crawling, sitting up and talking up a storm....before you know it, yours will be too. Enjoy!

i agree w prev posters. your little one is just developing at his own pace. its also hard to read "at this age your baby will be _______" and yet yours isn't. ive been there. those are just averages, and no baby can be contained by an average! i think you're right too - probably worried about nothing, but it 100% understandable.

Congratulations on your new baby, H.!

I think 2 months old is a little young to be concerned. Each child is unique and develops in their own time. He should start to be more animated and openly curious in 2-3 more months. I have a 7yr old and a 1yr old and neither of them really started smiling until appx. 4mos. You'd be amazed at what is going on in their little brains while they seem to be just hanging out. His first true smile will be so worth the wait!! :)

Jen

Oh, my! =) Mine did the same thing... He just refused to look anyone in the face. If someone would get in his face, he'd look over their shoulder or turn his face or whatever! lol It's funny when I think back on it... but I admit to being a lil concerned then! lol He's now a VERY friendly, silly 11 month old. I have 3 and all were different! Good Luck!

H.,
I understand your fear but please try not to worry. We were very concerned about our second son who at 2 months wasn't focusing, tracking or smiling. We brought this concern to our pediatrician and was told pretty matter-of-factly "he might not be seeing." This through our whole life into a tailspin, for about a week. Our doctor sent us to a pediatric opthomologist. After testing it was determined he was seeing, he has a slight astigmatism in both eyes and here's the kicker the eyes are the last thing to develop and while our son was born at 38wks 1day (not considered premature) his eyes still needed a little time to develop. The specialist was not very happy with our doctor and wondered why he would have told us this because all the books tell you they should be focusing, smiling and tracking by 2 months, the opthomologist told us 3 months due to eyes being the last to develop! Fast forward he is now 11 months and absolutely fine, he had another check up at 4 months and will have one at a year to check the astigmatisms but is seeing, focusing, tracking, smiling and behaving like a typical 11 month old. Give yourself a couple more days/weeks and if he still doesn't appear to be looking at you give your doctor a call and I would suggest seeing Dr. Johnson in Reno, he is AWESOME! his number is ###-###-####.

H. -

I have heard that boys tend to look around more and not focus on faces, whereas girls are more intent and like to stare at faces. This holds true for my kids. My girl - almost 4, would stare in my face at a very early age. My son - 4 months old seems to try and avoid looking at me, with his eyes darting back and forth at everything around him. Not sure if it is true, but seems true from my experience. Have fun with your little one and enjoy each day (as I am sure you do already). :)

J.