Baby's Development: Twelfth Month
Your Baby’s Appearance at Twelfth Month of Life
Your little baby isn't that little anymore - she is celebrating her first birthday! Happy birthday, baby! And congratulations to you, too! You did a wonderful job! Remember how she looked 12 months ago? She had an oddly shaped head (and that soft spot on it is still there), with hairs everywhere, and some babies even had red splotches on their face (and you thought they would never disappear). And look at her now!
Your Baby’s Growth at Twelfth Month of Life
Remember how small she was when she was born? Most babies triple their birth weight at their first birthday. And your baby is probably about 10 inches longer than she was 12 months ago. She’s no longer that tinny baby you brought home from the maternity hospital!
Your Baby’s Motor Skills at Twelfth Month of Life
As she grows older and her motor skills improve, your baby will also change the way she plays. She'll probably enjoy crawling and cruising, but be careful if she likes climbing onto furniture. If you couldn't stop her from climbing, it's always a good idea to provide some safe climbing options and to teach your child how to safely climb down. She may also enjoy pushing, throwing, and knocking things down. Most babies will play with smaller objects they can put in a container, and tip them out again. You'll also notice how her favorite games are a little noisier than before. Babies love a sound of two things banging into each other.
Your Baby’s Senses at Twelfth Month of Life
Your baby's senses weren't fully developed when she was born. But, now, she can hear, see, and speak pretty well. She can follow a moving object across the room, and she'll enjoy looking and listening at the same time, which will make reading a book more interesting. Babies also love touching different textures. Your baby will continue putting everything in her mouth.
Your Baby’s Sleeping at Twelfth Month of Life
If you're lucky, your one-year-old baby will sleep about 13 to 14 hours per day. Some babies have never slept through the night, while others might have a sleep regression. You may decide to sleep-train your baby to teach her to sleep better. But you should know that sleep-training a one-year-old is different than sleep training a baby. Establish a bedtime routine (bath, milk, bedtime story), and remember to put your baby to sleep before she falls asleep on her own. That way she'll be more likely to get back into a snooze state if she suddenly wakes up during the night.
Your Baby’s Eating at Twelfth Month of Life
If you're still breastfeeding your baby, you don't have to stop once your baby turns one year. However, it’s a personal decision, so it's up to you to do what's best for you and your baby. Now, when your baby is officially one, you can offer her some regular cow’s milk. You should mix it into your baby’s formula or your breast milk, and slowly increasing amounts. In addition to milk, your baby should also have three meals and one to three snacks each day. One-year-olds can decide for themselves whether they’re hungry or they’re full, so you should never force your baby to eat.
Your Baby’s Communication at Twelfth Month of Life
Keep talking to your baby - make a connection between objects and their names. The more objects you identify, the faster your baby’s vocabulary will grow. It's also important that you repeat everything several times, so your baby can remember it. You can count stairs as you climb them, or point out the names and colors of things around you. Offer your baby two things to choose from. She may not answer your questions right away, but she'll find a way to tell you her preference. And giving your baby choices will help her improve her vocabulary.
