Growth

Size

• I am growing more slowly now than I did during the first nine months of my life.
  My head and body are in better proportion to each other.

Teeth

• I have probably started teething and will continue to get new teeth until I am 2 to 3 years old.
• I might be fussy and cranky when I am teething and I will probably drool a lot of saliva. I might not be very hungry.
• You can help me by letting me chew on a clean, cool, damp washcloth or teething ring. Do not use teething gel, ice cubes, teething biscuits or soft foods to help me teethe. I could choke on these things.
• Talk to my dentist or doctor if my gums become red and sore or if I get a fever or diarrhea when I am teething.
• You can clean my teeth with a child’s soft toothbrush or by wiping them with a clean washcloth or gauze every day.

Development

Movement

• I can grab and hold things between my thumb and finger.
• I might clap my hands.
• I can get into a sitting position and can sit for 5 to 10 minutes without support.
• I can move around by creeping, crawling or pushing myself backwards on my stomach or bum.
• I might stand alone for short periods without support.
• I can walk while holding on to furniture.
• I might start walking.

Language

• I might say simple words like “mama,” “dada” and “bye-bye.”
• I like to imitate the sounds that you make while you dress me, feed me or play with me.
• When you talk to me, stop and give me time to answer.
• I might shake my head to answer “yes” or “no” to questions you ask me, so I can take my turn to talk.
• I like it when you talk to me in 2 or 3 word sentences, such as: “You’re happy,” “Throw ball,” or “Mommy’s cooking.”  But please, no “baby talk.”
• I like to babble loudly, tunefully and constantly, sometimes just to your get attention.
• I like you to watch what I’m doing and to join in my play.
• If I do not babble or say simple words, take me to a Speech Language Pathologist.

Vision and Hearing

• I can see objects that are close and far away and can follow them with my eyes.
• I like to look at and talk to myself in the mirror.
• I might “dance” by moving my hands and body to music.
• I like to hear new words when we look at picture books together.
• I might get ear infections.
• If I seem to be having trouble hearing, take me to a doctor as soon as possible.