-Month-Old: Week 2

Your baby is growing stronger every day. She may now be able to lift her head, chest, and shoulders off the ground when she's on her tummy. Your Superbaby will look so proud and happy while she's "flying" this way. If she's especially strong, she may be able to push herself up using her arms while lying on her stomach.

Help your baby exercise this skill by holding a toy in front of her and teasing her with it a little when she's lying on her tummy. Although she won't be able to reach it or move toward it, she will want to raise herself to look at it. Your baby won't actually crawl until at least 6 months, but these precrawling motions are her way of developing her muscles so that she grows stronger. She'll be able to scoot and roll before she actually crawls. Remember that it's important to give your baby opportunities to lie on her tummy this way. So be sure to take her out of her crib, bouncy seat, or soft carrier for regular "play" periods when she's alert and happy.

How your baby's growing
If your baby's sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up in the middle of the night. But even babies who aren't sleeping through the night at this stage should be sleeping and staying awake for longer intervals instead of cycling back and forth so much. Your baby will most likely have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours.

An interesting note: Whether your baby is a night owl or a morning lark, a long sleeper or short sleeper, she'll probably stay that way throughout childhood.

• Learn more fascinating facts about your 2-month-old's development.

Your life: Finding good childcare
Even if you're already certain about what kind of childcare arrangement you prefer, it can be a good idea to get a sense of your full range of options. You may be surprised by what appeals most to you once you've done this.

When looking for a daycare center or home daycare that's right for your baby, ask other parents for advice and shop around. Visit as many places as you can, and try to spend as much time as possible at each one at various times of the day, talking with the employees, directors, and parents to get a sense of what the different daycares are like. If you're looking for an individual provider, get references from others and follow up on them. Take time to interview several providers on-site, and watch them interact with your child as well.
A relative's care. Leaving your child in the care of a relative, whether at your home or theirs, can be inexpensive (or free) and erase worries about whether your child will receive enough safety and love. But not every grandparent or other relative has the temperament required for full-time care, and you need to hammer out issues such as discipline and routines.
A nanny's care. An experienced nanny can provide one-on-one loving care in a setting familiar to your child. However, hiring a full-time nanny can be very expensive, making this option unrealistic for the majority of parents. Continuity of care can be a problem if your nanny suddenly quits.
Daycare centers. These offer your baby a structured environment and are often staffed by employees who are trained in early childhood education. Look for a center that has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), whose guidelines tend to be more demanding than state regulations in terms of caregiver to child ratios and educational requirements.
Home-based care. These operations can range from just a few children to as many as at a small daycare center. They appeal to many parents simply because of the mother-run home setting. And though they may be less expensive, they may also have fewer regulations than a commercial daycare center, so be sure to ask for and check references.

3 questions about: Reflux

What is reflux?
It's normal for all babies to spit up a little milk after some feedings. However, if your baby is burping up milk throughout the day or vomits more than twice a day, it could be gastroesophageal reflux disease. Reflux may also be associated with prolonged crankiness and, in severe cases, gagging and coughing. Mention reflux symptoms to your pediatrician if you notice them.

What causes it?
The main problem is a weak esophageal sphincter — the valve that connects the throat to the stomach. Swallowing too much air and overfeeding can also be causes.

How is reflux treated?
In most cases, babies grow out of the problem by their first birthday without treatment, as their sphincter muscles grow stronger. If your baby is being formula fed, her doctor may suggest changing her formula or the amount you feed her. Holding her in a semivertical position after feedings will help keep the milk from coming back up. Your doctor might also prescribe an antacid (but don't give your baby one without a doctor's order). He may even suggest an endoscope of the baby's upper gastrointestinal tract. That means a tube will be inserted into the baby's throat to view and biopsy the area.