12 months

Behavior and development

How does the baby develop?

Many babies take their first steps between the ninth to twelfth months and walk more steadily by the age of 14 or 15 months. But it is normal for a baby to not start walking until 15 or 16 months, or even later.

After months of babbling, your child has begun to know words. But it's not an overnight process, and the pace of the process will vary widely for each baby. One thing is certain, however: babies understand more than they can say.

What do you need to do to support your baby?

Encourage your baby to walk and run by giving him lots of opportunities to move without help from his mother, and not hugging and holding him too often. If your baby is trying to learn to walk, he will probably feel safer if he can hold on to his finger.

Whole milk is often a popular choice at this age because toddlers need fat to boost growth and meet their increasing energy needs. However, there are exceptions: if the mother is overweight or obese or has a family history of obesity, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, the doctor may advise the mother to start with low-fat milk.

You are observing all the things you do. Toddlers will love to imitate the behavior of everyone around them, especially parental behavior. This is how your baby learns the most basic behaviors. So, moms remember to always put away the things you use every day that can harm your baby.

Health and safety

What should mom tell the doctor?

You can prepare your baby for a wellness check by preparing answers to some of the questions doctors may ask, such as:

Sleep:

How long do your child's dark naps and naps usually last?

Eating:

What types of solid foods are you normally eating? Does the baby have appetite? Does your baby like to lift hands to feed themselves?

Tooth:

How many teeth have your baby grown?

Develop skills:

Do you have a good cow? Can you sit up? Baby runs or walks? Does the baby usually point at objects? Is it possible to make eye contact and react when someone calls out the baby's name?

Vision:

Did you notice that babies squint or rub their eyes often, or tend to bring toys and books near their face? Find out more about other signs related to your baby's vision problems.

Listening ability:

Do you often turn toward the source of the sound? Learn more about other signs associated with hearing problems.

Speaking ability:

Do you have the ability to mimic sounds, babble, or say any words?

Allergy:

Tell your doctor if your baby often gets itchy or uncomfortable as this could be a sign of an allergy.

Mother should know more?

Now is the time for your baby to see the dentist for the first time. This first visit will give mom a glimpse of your baby's teeth and help detect any problems the pediatrician may have missed. The dentist will also give moms advice about taking care of baby's newly emerging teeth, preventing cavities and ensuring the amount of fluoride your baby absorbs is just enough.

Mother's concern

What are the things you need to care about?

Your baby's eyesight

Babies often do not know about their vision problems, so mothers should pay more attention to be able to know any potential signs. Contact your baby's doctor right away if your baby:

Frequently blinking or blinking;

Tilt your head to see better (for example looking at a photo or TV);

Rub eyes when baby is not sleepy;

Having trouble seeing an object;

Looks particularly clumsy.

You will also need to have your baby's eyes checked by a doctor if you notice any signs of a blocked tear gland, a damage or an infection like red eye pain. These signs may include excessive watery eyes, red eyes, eye pain, sensitivity to light, or pus, or scabs forming in the baby's eyes.

Lead poisoning

In addition, most children often get lead poisoning between the ages of 1-2, when they crawl around on the floor and put their hands in their mouths. However, such exposure at any age can be dangerous.

Because a baby's body is still very small and growing, it is more susceptible to the effects of lead and other poisons than adults. On the other hand, some pregnant women with high blood lead levels can pass lead to their unborn baby in the womb.