1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months Birth 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 4 Months 5 Months 6 Months 7 Months 8 Months 9 Months 10 Months 11 Months 12 Months 13 thru 18 Months 19 thru 24 Months

Baby Steps: Growth & Development

Your baby's already passed her first birthday! By now, she's got up to five words in her vocabulary, he/she can initiate games and he/she may be using a fork or spoon. He/she may be able to run and walk up stairs, play with a ball and draw a line. Much to your chagrin, he/she may have also adopted "no" as her favorite word.34

Your baby's made a lot of new discoveries over the last few months. He/she can turn the pages of a book, and may be "reading" board books on their own. He/she's learned the right way to do certain things, such as use the telephone and take off his/her clothes. He/she's climbing, creating "pretend" games, dancing and can pedal when he/she's put on a tricycle. They're probably down to one nap a day, and he/she may show signs of being ready for potty training.

The temper tantrums may be continuing, and he/she may be getting more finicky about food. He/she responds to simple directions and can speak more clearly. 34

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Doing Everything Right: Tips for new moms

  • Until your child is two or three years old, you may not know for sure whether he/she'll be right- or left-handed, even if he/she favored one as a young baby. Some kids use both hands until they're five or six. Don't try to influence which one he/she uses though; this could confuse him/her and lead to hand-eye coordination and dexterity problems.35
  • Your baby's not walking yet? Relax.it's completely normal for a child to start walking as early as nine months or as late as 18 months.36
  • If your baby's first tooth doesn't appear in the next month or so, or if you notice tooth decay, be sure to tell your pediatrician. He/she'll probably refer you to a dentist.33
  • You're busier than ever, but don't let healthy habits take a backseat. Try to make time for regular exercise, a balanced diet and lots of water to help keep your energy level up.
  • Your little one may now be able to remember objects long after they're gone from her sight. Let him/her practice this new ability with games of hide-and-seek with his/her favorite toys.
  • Some days, you may feel like "no" is the only word your baby knows. Be patient, set limits on what behavior is okay and act the way you want him/her to act. She may not always remember what you've said, but if you're consistent, they'll soon catch on.37
  • It's too soon to worry about your child's weight, even if he/she's a little chubby. He/she's probably getting all the exercise they need in their daily routine, but if you think he/she needs to move around more, try to get her involved in active games like tag or hopscotch, and limit sedentary activities like watching television.38

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33 “Tooth Care for Toddlers” www.babycenter.com

34 “Milestone Charts: What to Expect from Your 13-to-18-Month-Old” www.babycenter.com

35 “Ask the Experts: When Will I Know Whether My Toddler is a Righty or a Lefty?” www.babycenter.com

36 “Your 14-Month-Old's Physical Development: Practice Makes Perfect” www.nutrition.about.com

37 “Your 18-Month-Old” www.babycenter.com

38 “Ask the Experts: How Much Exercise Do Toddlers Need?” www.babycenter.com

The information on this Web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding you or your child's health.

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

Helpful Tips
for Parents

Ponder the Pacifier

Whether or not to use pacifiers is an age-old debate, but the American Academy of Pediatrics gives it the thumbs up through the first year of life. Sucking is comforting, familiar and calming to babies and a pacifier can be the ideal way to provide contentment between feedings.
More

Drive Time

You’re always careful to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen, clothing and a hat when he’s outdoors. But did you know he also needs protection when he rides in the car for an extended period? The glass in car windows blocks some but not all ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn, so if possible, move his car seat out of direct sunlight and apply broad spectrum children’s sunscreen to his exposed skin.

Hand in Hand

Are you wondering whether your baby will be right-handed or left-handed? Be patient; it may be months or years before you know for sure. Most babies start showing a preference for reaching for things with their right hands between six and nine months, but it’s not until they’re 18 months or older that they start using their preferred hand more consistently. By age three or four, their handedness should be fairly evident. If it’s not, you may want to talk to your pediatrician.

Source: “How Handedness Develops in Infants,” by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P., www.drspock.com, June 10, 2001