Child Growth: Baby 12-18 Months (Child Development Information) - Child Development

12 to 18 Months

EATING
After the first year, the biggest changes in a toddler's eating habits typically include a phasing out of baby foods, the switch from formula (or in some cases, breast milk) to cow's milk, and the more rapid introduction of new foods. After age one, the probability of food intolerance and allergies decreases.

If you are still breastfeeding and wondering if it is time to give up nursing altogether, there is no one right answer. Some mothers choose to breastfeed well into the second year (and beyond), while others make the transition straight from breast milk to cow's milk after their children reach a year. Some mothers feel hurt by their child's refusal to nurse, but it's important to realize that it's not a rejection. It may just be one of the many examples of developing independence.

Weaning a toddler off the bottle can be quite a challenge for some parents, often more so the older a child gets. Some toddlers use a bottle as a comfort object — in some instances, drinking more than is recommended or healthy at this age simply because they do so to comfort themselves. You can help ease the transition away from bottles by limiting your child's bottle use to mealtime, if at all, and by introducing the cup as a fascinating and wonderful object, the earlier the better. At the same time, make the bottle less interesting by filling it with plain water, or get rid of it altogether. Once a toddler can drink approximately 16 ounces of cow's milk a day out of a cup, she doesn't need the bottle anymore to satisfy her nutritional needs. If you do decide to take the gradual approach to weaning the bottle, be aware that the before-bed bottle is usually the last to go. Any time you feed your child at bedtime, be sure to clean his teeth before putting him to sleep. Never let your child go to sleep with a bottle.

SLEEPING
This is the age when toddlers typically decide to decrease the number of naps they take from two a day to a single midday one. Many parents find this new sleep schedule easier to work around and especially appreciate the fact that the length of the single nap often equals the two naps combined. In general, there is not much change in the average toddler's overall amount of sleep: 13 1/2 hours or so in a 24-hour period, with around 11 hours at night and 2 hours during the day.

PLAYING
Through play, toddlers discover their surroundings, make connections, and learn how things work together. Repeatedly filling a pail with toys and dumping it on the floor may seem like an exercise in futility, but this type of game teaches a toddler important lessons. Sharing is not a trait normally seen by parents of 12- to 18-month-olds. Even though many toddlers enjoy being around other children, they're likely to choose to play by themselves in what is called "parallel play," instead of interacting with playmates.

Take into account your child's new abilities as you choose toys for him. For example, as your toddler's walking improves, a pull toy, such as a lightweight truck with a string, can be quite entertaining. If it makes a sound as the wheels turn, so much the better! Similarly, objects that can be taken apart and put back together or stacked up are likely to hold your child's attention.

Remember that there is great value in reading with your child on a regular basis. Don't be surprised if your toddler starts developing a strong preference for certain books, and even starts to recognize pictures and remember what happens in a favorite story. Your toddler's attention span at this age is nowhere near as important as enjoying your time together and developing his love of reading and learning.

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