FIFTEEN MONTHS

 

HEALTH ISSUES

 

  • Supervise all feedings.
  • Use a sipping cup only. No sipping cup while in bed.
  • Allow exploration with foods and textures.
  • Offer healthy snack choices, limiting sugars.
  • Consider starting to brush your baby’s teeth daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

 

SAFETY ISSUES

 

  • Continue safe car seat use. Read instructions for proper installation. Here are some general guidelines:
  • Place, seat in the middle of the back seat. If your toddler is over 20 pounds, you should now change seat to forward-facing; if under 20 pounds still, keep facing rearward until weight is over 20 pounds, regardless of age).
  • Use the "H" or "I" clip if you have a retractable shoulder harness.
  • Install and test your smoke detector in or near your baby’s room
  • Childproof your home (poisons, medicines, guns, plastic bags, sharp objects, cords, outlets, cigarettes, hot liquids, latches on cabinets).
  • Obtain your local Poison Control Center’s phone number and keep it on hand
  • Do not keep 5 gallon buckets in your home (to prevent drowning).
  • Avoid choke hazards (peanuts, popcorn, hard candy, whole grapes, raisins, carrot sticks, small toy pieces).
  • Use a bike helmet for your toddler (and yourself) if riding on the back of a bike.
  • Supervise activities, especially around lawnmowers, large dogs, and cars.
  • Place, crib mattress on lowest setting.
  • Place gates on stairways.

 

 

YOUR BABY SHOULD…

 

  • Understand no and other simple commands.
  • Begin to say a few words.
  • Point to a body part.
  • Be able to walk, although might be clumsy!
  • Feed self with fingers.
  • Listen to a story.
  • Be able to point or grunt for what he or she wants.

 

 

 

YOU SHOULD…

 

  • Praise your child at every opportunity.
  • Talk (in adult manner) and sing regularly to your child.
  • Listen to music together with your child.
  • Continue to read books to your child.
  • Encourage opportunities for safely exploring his or her environment.
  • Limit the number of rules, but be consistent with them.
  • Not allow hitting, biting or mean behavior.
  • Have a bedtime routine and put your child to bed in his or her own room.
  • Keep a family picture near your child’s bed so it can be seen at night.
  • Eat meals as a family.
  • Offer comfort objects (stuffed animals, blanket).
  • Do not push for early toilet training.
  • Expect self-exploration of genitalia.
  • Be an example of the type of person you want your child to grow up to be - they are like sponges and absorb everything around them!
  • Spend time alone with your partner - one of the best things you can do for your child is to maintain a quality relationship with your partner.
 

 

GO TO 12-15 MONTHS          GO TO 18 MONTHS

 
 
 
 
 
 
Tell a friend
 
© Copyright mychildspecialist 2005 All right reserved