1 - 2 years - The Toddler

Your baby's first birthday, he's stepping into toddler hood.  This is a good time to reflect how far your baby has come since her birth. 

By their second birthdays, most of them are losing that 'baby' look and growing taller instead of rounder. Babies this age are developing a real personality and will reward you with a delightful sense of humour, smiling faces, and affectionate hugs. She loves to express affection and delights in being loved.

Sleeping
Generally between the ages of 1 and 2, a toddler requires about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Two to three hours in day time and 9-10 hours at night. From about one year, your toddler will settle down to sleep much more happily if the whole process of going to bed follows a routine. Babies love routine and rituals. Start the routine in the same way every evening, by giving a bath or if she does not care for it much, give a bed time feeding if she still has one or lie close to her and pat her rhythmically so as to relax her. Any time between 7 pm to 9 pm would be suitable. Position your baby's favourite soft toy next to her while she's sleeping. Just make sure your toddler is getting enough rest. And remember that every child is different, some need up to two hours more or less sleep than others.

Feeding
By about 1 to 2 year old, your toddler should be moving towards eating the same food at mealtimes that the rest of the family are having. Although she may still be getting half or more of her daily calories from breast milk or formula, regular table food is helping to balance out her diet. Some toddlers may show a decreased appetite about now. In the second year of their life, baby's growth is slowing down and they may add only about 3-4kgs of weight. Teething also can make your baby lose interest in food. Try to strike the right balance between letting her eat when she's hungry and letting her pick at her food when she's not. Don't force food on her, but maintain control over her nutritious and healthful snacking between meals and breastfeed as often as your child wants and continue until a baby's second birthday.  Although you can now start to offer foods you've been withholding milk, citrus fruits, egg whites, be on the lookout for any allergic reactions. Provide fruit or unsweetened yogurt for dessert at meals. Cheese is excellent too, because it neutralizes the acid that forms in the mouth and attacks tooth enamel. Take care to avoid foods that cause choking such as popcorn, hard candies, chunks of carrots, grapes, raisins and whole nuts. Cut or finely chop such foods, or simply wait until your baby gets older. 

Height and Weight
While developmental growth is going full speed ahead, physical growth slows down during this year. After her first birthday, your toddler won't put weight on steadily. He/ she may gain only 3-4kgs this year.

An average 15-month-old girl weighs about 22 pounds (10kgs) and stands 31 inches tall. Boys tend to be about a pound heavier at 15 months but about the same height. By age 2, both will stand about 34 inches tall and weigh about 27 or 28 pounds (12-13 kgs) on an average. Your toddler's head size will also more or less remain steady. He'll probably add about an inch to his head circumference, bringing him closer to his adult head size.

Physical Changes of your baby

Movement 
Crawls well, stands alone, sits down. Towards the end of this year, your child may grow confident and skillful enough to go up and down the stairs alone, by holding onto the railing.

Touching and Holding
Likes to push, pull and dump things. Holds crayons. He may scribble,  but with little control. Turns pages in a book. Feeds self with spoon, waves bye-bye and claps hands. Rolls a ball. From about 18 months your child will be able to build a tower of four or even five blocks. Plays alone on floor with toys. Your baby will be fascinated by pictures long before she can talk, and will love looking at books.

Talking and Hearing
Says "hi" or "bye" if reminded. Says 8-20 words you can understand. At about 18 months of age, babies realize that words does have a meaning. When you ask him, he'll point to objects or pictures and hand them over to you. He even points out his eyes, hands , nose, mouth etc if you teach him. By the age of two he may be able to say two words together such as 'me go', 'wha is' and will know about 200 words in all. 

Social Development 
Imitates others, especially by coughing, sneezing, or making animal sounds. At around 18 months of age, he wants to do things by himself and starts to say no and means it. He may imitate you doing chores. Enjoys an audience and appreciation. Becomes upset when separated from his loved ones.