Baby development: Your 1 year old baby
It's your little one's first big birthday! As you prepare to celebrate,
remember the past 12 months as a time of incredible growth and development. In
just a year, your baby has grown from a completely helpless newborn into an
independent little person.
Growth
Your baby's weight has likely tripled since birth. Babies are also 50%
tall by 12 months, and their brains are about 60% the size of their adult
brains. After an incredible growth spurt over the course of a year, your
child's weight gain will begin to slow down as their activity levels increase.
Motor skills
Your one year old should stand alone and "travel". They may
even have taken those first steps alone. If not, hopefully you have a video
camera ready to capture the moment they do it.
One-year-olds are pretty good at doing things on their own, like eating
with their fingers, helping their parents dress them, and turning the pages of
a storybook. Your child should start using several everyday objects properly,
including a spoon, phone, and hairbrush. While their purpose with these things
may be imperfect, they definitely have the right intention.
Sleeping
In a year, the baby should sleep less during the day and more at night.
Most children this age still need an afternoon nap, but their morning nap may
become a thing of the past or their afternoon nap may merge into a longer
afternoon nap.
Eating
In a year, you can switch from breast milk or formula to cow's milk.
Start with whole milk. Your child needs extra fat for healthy brain growth and
development. Do not switch to low-fat milk until your child is two years old,
or on the advice of a pediatrician.
If you are breastfeeding, you may decide that one year is the time to
start weaning your baby. It is usually easier for mother and baby to wean
gradually, refusing one feed at a time. Feeding before bed is usually the last.
To replace breastfeeding, you can give your one-year-old a cup of milk, a
snack, or something to suck on.
Now that your child is eating more table foods, be very careful not to
choke. Don't give your one-year-old a whole grape, hot dog chunks, popcorn, or
anything else that might get stuck in his throat. Always stay close to your
child while eating. Now you can give products containing honey. Eggs and nut
butter are also acceptable.
Communication
Your child's vocabulary is growing rapidly. You will probably now hear a
few words on a regular basis, such as "mom", "dad",
"no" or "oh-oh". One-year-olds learn language by imitating
their parents, so expect your toddler to turn into a little mister if he hasn't
already. At this point, mom really means mom and dad really means dad.
In a year, children become more social. They begin to understand what is
being said to them and use their new language skills to get the attention of
those around them. By 12 months, your baby will also start testing boundaries,
which can include saying "no" to your requests or even throwing a
temper tantrum. Be firm and tell your child that this behavior is unacceptable.
In the meantime, reward good behavior with praise or treats.
Be especially careful when playing: children at this age may not realize
that they are pushing or squeezing too hard. Have plenty of toys available.
Sharing is not a concept that one-year-olds understand, but you can start
learning it.
Now your child will prefer some people over others. You may see them
become shy or restless in the presence of strangers and cling to you when you
try to leave. Stranger anxieties and separations will pass. In the meantime, be
sympathetic to the problems of your child. When you need to leave, try to leave
as quickly and painlessly as possible and reassure your child that you will be
back soon.
Baby's first shoes
Now that your child can start walking, it's time to consider buying
their first pair of baby shoes. While you might be tempted to buy the prettiest
shoes on the shelf, comfort and fit are the most important priorities for your
child's first pair of shoes. Go to a store that specializes in children's shoes
and ask the salesperson to measure your child's foot. Search:
- Soft, lightweight and breathable
- Rubber outsole to prevent slipping
- There is enough room in the shoes for your child's foot to grow.
- You may have to go shopping again in 2 or 3 months because your baby's feet are still growing.
Tips for your 12 month old baby
- One-year-olds love to explore. Provide plenty of opportunities for safe exploration by filling cabinets with unbreakable Tupperware containers, wooden spoons and whisks, or by boxing large items of varying textures. Use a firm "no" when something is off limits and redirect the child's attention.
- If your child is good at climbing, consider removing the sides of his crib and dump the crib mattress now so he doesn't rise and fall over the crib rail.
- During your one-year visit, check with your pediatrician to make sure your child is up to date with all vaccinations.
- Make sure the house is always child-proof: closed stairs, no dead cords hanging where a child can reach them, pots and utensils away from the edges of the counter, and household cleaning products out of reach. Keep bathroom and bedroom doors closed
- Make sure your child is in a rear facing car seat.
- Experts do not recommend any “screenings” for children under 18 months of age, with the exception of video chats with loved ones. Research has shown that television at this age can negatively impact a child's language development, reading skills, and even contribute to sleep and attention problems.