You have a child in no time. Did you blink? It can feel like the first year is a blur, filled with diapers, giggles, and sleepless night. But don’t forget to celebrate this milestone as it is: a parent anniversary as well as your baby’s 1st birthday. Both of you have grown tremendously over the last year. What else do you need to be aware of about the health and growth of your 12-month old this month?
Baby milestones at 12 months old
Nutrition for 12-month-old babies
Your toddler is now a toddler and you might want to give him his first birthday cake. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you wait until your child is 2 years old to introduce other types of sugar. Honey can be introduced now, as they are past the 1 year mark. Cow’s milk can be offered now in place of formula. As long as breastfeeding works for you both, breast milk can be a part of your baby’s diet. However, you can now start to reduce the amount of time you feed him.
Solid foods will now be the focus of attention for babies who have reached 12 months. You can offer breastmilk only two to four time per day, instead of the usual four to six times. There’s no need to stop breastfeeding just yet. The AAP recommends continuing breastfeeding until at least age 2 based on its health benefits to both mother and child. We have some tips to help you achieve this goal.
The AAP and La Leche League recommend feeding 12-month-olds the following amounts and timing of food.
Solids: Available 3 times daily or at mealtimes with the family
Breast milk: 8 ounces per 4 to 5 hours
Formula: 7 to eight ounces every five to six hours
Solids are a must for your 12-month-old. Serving sizes for a 12-month-old child:
Mix 5 to 8 teaspoons of infant cereal (single-grain) with breast milk or formula.
Fruits: 2-4 tablespoons
Vegetables : 2 to 4 tablespoons
Shredded meat, eggs, yogurt, and soft-cooked plant proteins such as lentils : 2 to 3 tablespoons
Starches: 1/4 to half cup of simple carbohydrates, such as pasta or mashed potatoes.
Learn more about the 12-month-old feeding schedule and expert advice
Feeding: Fats and fibre are the main ingredients.
Do not forget to add fats to your child’s diet. The AAP recommends that babies and toddlers consume a variety of fats such as avocados, olives and oil, fatty seafood, nut butters and whole milk dairy. Fats are essential for brain and nervous development, hormone support, and continued growth.
Consider incorporating some of these healthy fats:
Avocado cubes with Lemon
Sweet potato roasted or steamed and drizzled in olive oil
Toast with peanut or almond butter
Baked salmon
Whole milk yogurt with mashed berries or bananas
Incorporating enough fiber into your child’s daily diet will help to promote regular bowel movements and aid digestion.
Try these fiber-filled recipes:
Chia pudding with coconut milk
Roasted chickpeas
Sweet potato and lentils
Kale with apple or pear
Oatmeal with Berries
Baby weight at 12 months old
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) charts for weight and height are recommended for babies under 2 years old.
The WHO growth chart for babies aged 0-2 years is based on the standard of a breastfed infant. The WHO growth charts are based on the standard for a predominantly breastfed infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers and babies continue to breastfeed at least for two years.
What is the average weight of a 12-month-old child?
Many babies will have tripled or even more than doubled their weight by their first birthday.
WHO and CDC report:
A baby boy 12 months old in the 50th per centile weighs 9.6 kilograms (21 pounds).
A baby girl aged 12 months in the 50th per centile weighs 19.9 kg (8.9 pounds).
What factors affect a baby’s weight at 12 months?
Weight gain in babies can be influenced by several factors. These include how much your baby eats, his or her assigned sex, and the level of activity.
At birth, male babies tend to be slightly heavier than female babies.
Daily food intake may affect your baby’s weight. At 12 months, many babies are still nursing or drinking formula three to five times a day.
Baby is working to stand up and cruise this month as a preparation for walking. Physical activity builds strong bones and muscles, so their level of activity may affect their weight.
When will my child start walking? Experts say there are many factors that can influence a baby’s ability to walk.
Babys 12 months old are measured by their length
You can expect to see your baby grow between 1/2 and 3/4 inch (1 to two centimeters).
What is the average age of a 12-month-old child?
WHO and CDC report:
A baby boy 12 months old in the 50th centile measures 29 3/4 inches (75.7 cm).
A baby girl 12 months old in the 50th per centile is 29 inches (74 cm).
What factors affect the length of a baby aged 12 months?
The biggest factor that determines your baby’s height is genetics. Children tend to look like their parents. Other factors may also be at play. The amount of sleep, the quality and quantity, their overall health as well as how active they are all play a part.
Related: Activities for 12-month-olds: Promoting baby’s growth
Growth charts and percentiles
Your child’s doctor should have a growth chart that shows their progress over the past year. Ask to see the chart at your child’s 12-month check-up. It is fascinating.
The growth charts and percentiles can help to illustrate how the baby’s development is compared with other babies of the same age. Remember that all babies develop at different rates.
You can interpret the percentiles of your child’s height and weight by looking at the numbers. If your baby is in the 45th, it means that 55% other babies of the exact same age and gender weigh more and 45% less. AAP states that healthy babies may be anywhere from the 5th to the 95th percentile. The doctors are checking to see if your child’s growth rate has remained relatively constant over time.
Weight-for-length charts for girls from birth to 24 months. Girls birth to 24 months, weight-for-length.WHO Growth Charts, courtesy of CDC. Weight-for-length for girls birth to 24 month.
Weight-for-length charts for boys from birth to 24 months, courtesy of CDC. Boys birth to 24 months, weight-for-length.WHO Growth Charts, courtesy of CDC. Weight-for-length for boys from birth to 24 month.
Growth spurts
Around the 1-year mark, you may also see an increase in growth. You may see a change in mood, appetite or sleep. Don’t worry. Most growth spurts last only a few short days. These growth spurts will soon pass, and they are a sign of healthy development for your child.
When should I be concerned about my baby’s size?
Your child’s doctor will use their growth chart to track your child’s progress. If they are concerned about your 11-month old’s development, they will let you know.
Some parents worry about their child’s ability to walk by 11 months. Experts say that there is a range of normal walking. If your child is capable of bearing weight on his or her legs and has shown interest in moving (many will grab onto furniture for help, a phenomenon known as “cruising”), you can be confident that they will take their first steps as soon as they become stronger.
Your baby’s growth can be measured by his or her sleep, feeding, and diaper output. Consult your doctor if you’re concerned about the feeding and sleeping habits of your child, or if he or she isn’t reaching most of his or her 11-month milestones.
Sleeping 12-month-old babies
Do you feel that every night’s sleep is a mystery? It’s time to go back to basics. Staying consistent with your bedtime and nap routines, promoting self-soothing at night and spending time outdoors during the day will help to reset nighttime.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that once your baby reaches the age of 12 months, your baby will need less sleep. Instead of 12-16 hours of sleep per night, they recommend 11-14 hours. This change does not happen overnight. It may already be in effect or it could be coming up soon. You should aim for 10 to 11 consecutive hours of sleep at night, with two naps in the middle.
How does a baby sleep at 12 months?
You may find that your baby takes two naps a day
Your baby may not be waking up at night anymore
Your baby can be awake from 2.5 to 3.5 hour periods.
Your baby has been working very hard to become more independent. They have made progress in waving, speaking a few sentences, and taking a couple of steps. Rachel Mitchell, certified sleep consultant, and founder of My Sweet Sleeper, says that these leaps in development can be a sign of upcoming sleep progress this month. Mitchell points out that not all babies will be negatively affected by the sleep progression. Try not to worry if you notice your baby suddenly taking short naps or waking up in the night. Keep your routines consistent and you should see things normalize in a few weeks.
Read more: What amount of sleep is needed by a baby aged 12 months?
Diapering an 12-month-old
It’s hard to believe that it has been a whole year since you changed your diapers. According to some estimates, babies go through between 2,000-3,000 diapers during their first year. And they won’t stop anytime soon. Your 12-month-old may require 5 to 7 diapers per day, and this will continue for several months. Potty training can begin as early as 18 months for some babies, while it may take longer for others.
Diaper changes are a new challenge for your toddler. You can move diaper changes from the table to the floor, so your child is able to move around freely without worrying about falling. You’re probably pretty good at this by now but you may need to update your arsenal of tricks to keep them entertained. Sing a song, recite a rhyme, or give them a toy.
Care for a 12 month old
What you need to know about baths, vaccines, safety, and caring for your growing baby.
Vaccines for 12-month-olds
This month, your baby will receive a second round of vaccinations at their 12-month check-up. Keep your child’s childhood vaccinations up to date so they receive the vaccine-provided protection early in their lives, before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening illnesses.
At their 12-month check-up, your baby is likely to receive the following vaccinations:
Hepatitis B – If the third dose was not given at six months.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Pneumococcal conjugate
If the child did not receive the third dose of IPV at six months, they will be infected with Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV).
Speak to your pediatrician about your child’s flu vaccination and Covid vaccine. The vaccine was available to them once they reached 6 months of age, but due to the seasonality may have chosen not too. The CDC determined that the flu and Covid vaccinations should be included in routine childhood vaccines. These vaccines will help to prevent hospitalization or severe illness in your child if they get sick. Speak to your child’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
What are the answers to your questions about Covid for children? Answers to your questions
Baths
Most toddlers don’t need a daily bath, unless you want to include a quick nighttime bath in your bedtime routine. If you want to avoid drying out your child’s skin, keep the bath time short. It’s also a great sensory experience. Bathtime is a good way to have clean, fun times when the weather is not ideal. Grab some toys and towels, and get ready to splash around.
Related: 14 safety tips to bathe your baby and children of all ages
Safety
Your toddler is growing up so fast that safety concerns are likely to be on your mind.
Babyproofing
Your toddler is likely to be very active and will get into everything. Watch out for objects that could pose a choking risk. Most common are toys that fit into a toilet roll, toys that have small parts that can be removed, buttons, coins, balloon fragments, and bottle caps. Also, watch out for hard, round foods like carrot rounds, hot dog slices and popcorn.
In general, avoid placing finger foods in the back seat of the car where children are out of reach. You need to feed your kids on the go? The pouch is the best option.
Sleeping safety
Once your baby reaches 12 months, the risk for sudden infant death (SIDS), drastically reduces. This means they can sleep with a lightweight, small blanket or lovey. Avoid using weighted blankets or sleep sacks. The AAP recommends that you do not place any weighted items on or near sleeping babies.
Safety car seats
It’s time to do a safety check on your car seat! You can’t turn your child forward-facing until at least two years old, but it’s time to check your car seat’s weight and height limits. Double-check the area where the shoulder straps hit. You may need to rethread the harness in order to accommodate your growing child.
As your child enters their second year, you may notice a bit more independence and defiance. These new behaviors are normal, but they may test your patience. You can usually attribute your child’s strong feelings to a desire for independence and control in their world or frustration at a lack communication. You can both benefit from incorporating some mindfulness and deep breathing into your daily routine.
Motherly’s favourite way to encourage 8-month old cognitive development is through My First Book of Baby Signs.
Motherly’s note on self-care when caring for a 12 month-old
It’s worth repeating that your baby’s 1st birthday is a momentous occasion for both of you. Celebrate this great accomplishment. It is no easy task to care for an infant for one year. It is only fair that you celebrate your parent’s anniversary, as well as planning how to commemorate the event for your child. If you’re feeling down, don’t forget to take care of your mental health. If you are struggling, reach out to your primary healthcare provider. There are people and resources who will help you.