Vaccine today: MMR, VZV (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis A, and possibly Seasonal Influenza. 

Your 1 year old will discover a whole new world of people and adventure. By 12-months, your child is quite mobile and may stand alone or attempt a few steps. Grabbing objects and banging things together is fun. Do not worry if crawling looks asymmetric or if your baby just “butt scoots” around the room. Check your home to prevent burns, choking, falls, poisoning, etc.

Some babies my start 1 – 2 words or use sign language ("more,” “hi,” “bye-bye wave”). Response to simple directions makes for fun games. (“Where the is the ball?”). Encourage conversation by responding with enthusiasm and conversation.

Your child should have at least one nap. Keep the hour before bed calm and include a simple book. Put your baby to bed when drowsy but still awake. Holding, rocking, or feeding until completely asleep makes it hard for babies to go back to sleep if woken during the night. Babies can self sooth back to sleep without feeding. Consistency are key to prevent sleep regression.

Avoid using breast feeding / bottle feeding for comfort at bedtime or naptime. Continue daytime activities and avoid late afternoon naps. Use daytime outdoor walks for interaction with your baby, NOT for sleeping. These efforts will help lengthen daytime wakefulness and facilitate longer night sleeping. If not addressed, bedtime frustrations increase.

Feedings usually consist of three-meals-a-day with increased snacking. Continue healthy eating habits with plenty of veggies, fruits, proteins, and whole grains while minimizing excessive sweet and salty foods. Your child will increasingly prefer table food. Food preparation and planning is essential since children may refuse baby foods and have difficulty with large chewy table foods. Do not give your baby hard, small foods like peanuts or whole grapes which are choking hazards. Babies who spit out chunks of meat are not ready for such large chewy foods. Further grinding should help.

Transition from bottles of formula to sippy cups of whole milk. Breastfeeding is great, but do not use it for comfort. Continue increasing food and water while giving about 12-18 oz of whole milk per day. Do not give more than 24 oz of whole milk per day. It may take a while for your child to adjust to milk in a cup.