Age: 15 Months

Tips for your 13-15 Month old baby

HELP ME BE HEALTHY.

At this checkup, my doctor will:

  • Weigh and measure me.
  • Give me a few vaccines at IS months. If I missed some vaccines before, I will get more. These vaccines help me grow up healthy. If I had any reactions to the vaccines before, remind the doctor or nurse what happened.
  • Ask the doctor or WIC nutritionist about my eating habits. I’m eating lots of different foods. Don’t worry if my appetite changes from meal to meal.

Take my health journal whenever we go to the clinic or doctor. Write the date I get any vaccines and the reason I see the doctor. For example, write if I’m sick or hurt. If you don’t have health insurance for me, call the Children’s Health Insurance Program at 1-877-543-7669 (1-877-KIDS-NOW) to find out about children’s health insurance.

TAKE CARE OF MY TEETH.

Take me for a dental visit. The dentist will count my teeth, look for cavities, and talk to you about how to take care of my teeth. The den­tist might also paint some fluoride on my teeth to make them stronger. If we start tak­ing care of my teeth when they first come in, I can grow up without cavities.

Remember:

  • Brush my teeth every day.
  • Don’t share my spoon when you feed me.
  • Don’t put my pacifier in your mouth.

KEEP ME SAFE.

  • Help me learn what is all right to do. Show me and tell me what you want me to do. If I don’t do it, show me or tell me again. Praise me when I do it right. Do not yell at me or hit me. I learn more quickly and easily if you teach or show me than if you punish me.
  • Teach me not to play around stairs and windows. Accidents can happen. Check the screens on the windows. Make sure the screens are not broken or torn. The screens should be attached securely so I can’t open them.
  • Help me get ready to go to sleep. Bedtimes can be a problem when I’m overly tired. I really enjoy a story or other quiet activity before I go to sleep. This bedtime routine helps me settle down.
  • Be calm when I have a temper tantrum. It’s okay for me to cry and scream when I’m angry. This is one way I say “I’m angry.” I don’t have enough words yet to explain my anger. You can say, “I know you feel really angry when that happens!” As I grow older, I can learn other ways to deal with my anger. But don’t give in to me just because I’m screaming. Let me calm down and then help me change my atten­tion to something I can do. Here are some ways you can help me stop the tantrum:
    • Keep calm.
    • Put me in a safe place to keep me from hurting myself.
    • Hug me and comfort me when I have calmed down. Spanking and yelling at me don’t help. They only make me angrier. I will calm down on my own. When I’m quiet, help me do an activity I enjoy.

PLAY WITH ME, IT HELPS ME LEARN.

  • Read me stories. This helps me learn new sounds and words.
  • Play hide-and-seek games.
  • Pretend with me. Let’s make believe we are cooking, eating, washing, cleaning, drinking, or going on a hike. I like to copy what you do. Some of the time it will be fun for you to copy what I do.
  • Build a tower with blocks.
  • Reward me when I do a good thing. Think about rewarding me with activities that I like to do, like reading a favorite story or spending time with a favorite person. Using food as a reward can lead to prob­lems later.

WATCH HOW I GROW.

I learn at my own pace.
If you have questions because you think it’s taking me a long time to learn to do some things in this list, please call my doctor or nurse. To find a nearby Early Childhood Intervention program, call the DARS Help Line toll-free at 1-800-628-5115.

Watch for me to:

  • Let you know what I want without crying. I might point, reach, make a sound, put up my arms, pull on you, or even say a word.
  • Stand by myself or walk.
  • Wave bye-bye when someone is leaving and says “bye-bye” to me.
  • Call you “Mama” and “Dada.” You are so happy to hear me say those words when I see you.
  • Talk all the time. Most of the time it sounds like jabbering. I’m the only one who knows what it means.
  • Know the meaning of some words like “juice,” “Cup,” “on,” and “out.”
  • Stoop to pick something up and stand up again without holding on to anything.
  • Drop small things like a block into a container. When I do this, I open my hand to drop the block.
  • Turn and look when you call me.

You might notice that I also:

  • Have a change in appetite. I may not eat as much as I used to because I’m not growing as fast.
  • Put all my energy into learning to walk. Because I’m learning to walk, I might be slow to learn some other things.
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Important Information about your 15 month old

Family

Set firm, fair rules and keep them the same to teach your child respect and discipline. Timeouts should happen in a neutral area of the house (one minute for each year of age). Be sure to praise them for things that they do correctly. Make time for yourself and partner, and think about joining parenting or play groups. Establish routines around the house and traditions that they can be a part of.

Development

When reading to your child, use simple words to describe pictures and use simple, clear words and phrases to promote language development. Let your child choose what to read from time to time. Make sure to describe feelings and emotions. By this age, they should know at least three words, can pull themselves up and walk by holding onto furniture. They may also have stranger anxiety and more separation anxiety when away from you. This is because they are becoming more aware and understanding more.

Health

There should be no smoking in the home of the child or in the car. Your child should have a night-time routine, including reading, singing, and brushing teeth. They should be brushing their teeth twice a day with child’s fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Go to www.ilikemyteeth.org and www.mychildrensteeth.org – they are great sites for information on fluoride and dentists. There should be no TV at mealtime.

Eating

Your child will eat less in their second year and should only gain about 5-7 pounds total. They should have 3 meals and 2 snacks per day. Remember to fill half their plate with fruits/vegetables at each meal. A serving size is the size of your child’s fist so do not serve large portions. Encourage them to feed themselves and let them choose what they want to eat off of the plate. Do not force feed or bribe them. No junk food. Make sure to avoid small hard foods as they can cause your child to choke. Limit milk to less than 16-20 oz/day. Encourage drinking water instead of juice throughout the day.

Safety

Make sure your home is childproofed and that your child still sits in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat. Around water, you should never be more than an arm’s length away from your child. No smoking in house or car. Check your smoke detectors once a month. If your family owns any guns, make sure they are kept unloaded, and locked away separately. The hot water heater should be set to 120 °F or below. Keep hot liquids out of reach and be careful when cooking in the kitchen.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

The Magic of Everyday Moments (15-18 Months)

Remember, everyday moments are rich bonding and learning opportunities. Enjoy the magic of these moments with your child.

Logo for Johnson and Johnson Pediatric Institute LLC

Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., is a company solely
dedicated to improving maternal and children’s healthcare through the advancement of continued learning and research in pediatrics, child development, parenting and maternity care. Through partnerships with leading healthcare professionals, developmental specialists and international organizations, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., identifies, develops and implements initiatives and programs that help shape the future of children’s health around the world.

Logo for Zero to Three organization

ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization of renowned pediatricians, educators, researchers, and other child development experts who specialize in the first years of life.

If you’re like many parents of young toddlers, you may be feeling both exhilarated and tired, as children this age tend to be very intense—physically and emotionally. Chances are, your toddler is not only walking, but running and climbing as well. So you may be doing a lot more chasing after him just to keep up and keep him safe. If you are a parent who loved the infancy stage—holding, cuddling, and swaddling—a fast and furious toddler might throw you for a loop. Many parents also have some mixed feelings at this age. They may feel joy at seeing their child so capable and independent, and sadness at seeing their “baby” grow up. But rest assured, your child still needs you, just in different ways. He needs you to be a “safe base” to come back to when he ventures out on new explorations. And he needs you to be his coach, helping him master new challenges and cheering him on as he makes new discoveries.

This second year is also often a time of strong emotions—for toddlers and their parents. Toddlers know what they want. However, they don’t yet have the skills to carry out all their plans and desires. This can mean lots of frustration and breakdowns—fondly known as tantrums. These tantrums may make you want to crumble too, right at the time when your child needs you to be his rock. Your guidance and boundaries will help him feel confident and safe.

Download The Magic of Everyday Moments™ (15-18 Months)

How’s your baby? A Developmental Checklist

Do you have questions about how your child is growing and developing?

Every child is different and learns at his or her own pace. It’s important to notice when your child begins to learn new skills to see if he is on target. Use this checklist to see how your child is doing.

If you notice your child is not on target, talk with your child’s doctor, or call Early Childhood Intervention at 877-787-8999 to locate an ECI program near you.

Did you know?

  • ECI serves families with children birth to 36 months with developmental delays or disabilities.
  • ECI professionals partner with families to help their children grow, learn and stay healthy.
  • ECI provides services to families of all income levels and in every Texas county.

How do you find ECI?

To find the number of the ECI program in your area, call 877-787-8999 or visit the Program search page: citysearch.hhsc.state.tx.us

About ECI

ECI is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which contracts with local agencies to provide services across Texas.

To find your community ECI program, go to the ECI Program Search page at citysearch.hhsc.state.tx.us or call the HHS Office of the Ombudsman at 877-787-8999.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the relay option of your choice, or dial 7-1-1 to connect with Relay Texas.

View Checklist

Lead Poisoning

What is Lead?

Lead is a poisonous metal that you and your family could be around every day. The good news is, you can keep your family safe and get the lead out!

What You Should Know:

Lead can come from your house, where you work, or other common things:

  • Paint and dust in older homes or apartments, especially dust from construction or repairs
  • Some items made in other countries like pottery (including Mexican bean pots), ceramics, crystal, Mexican candy, make up, glazed pots, and folk medicine (“greta” and “azarcon”)
  • Recalled toys and toy jewelry that have been shown to contain too much lead
  • Jobsites like auto refinishing, construction, and plumbing
  • Dirt and drinking water from old plumbing

Good nutrition can help keep the lead out.

  • Healthy foods with iron and calcium may keep lead out of your child’s blood.
    • Iron is in lean red meats, beans, peanut butter, whole grains, and enriched breads and cereals. To better absorb the iron in foods, eat vitamin C foods – like oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and juice – and iron foods together.
    • Calcium is in milk, yogurt, cheese, and green leafy vegetables like spinach.
  • Give your child three meals and two or three snacks every day. Your child’s stomach absorbs more lead when it is empty.

FACT #1 – Most children get lead poisoning from breathing or swallowing old paint or paint dust from homes and apartments built before 1978.

  • When old paint cracks and peels, it makes dangerous dust. The dust is so small you cannot see it. Children can get lead poisoning when they breathe and swallow the dust on their hands and toys.

FACT #2 – Lead poisoning can cause looming and behavior problems. Some of the effects of lead poisoning may never go away.

  • Children under 6 years old are most likely to get sick from lead. Even low levels of lead in your child’s body can:
    • Slow down growth and development
    • Damage hearing and speech
    • Make it hard to pay attention and learn
  • If you are pregnant, lead can harm your baby.

FACT #3 – A lead test is the only way to know if your family has been around too much lead and could have lead poisoning.

  • Most children with lead poisoning do not look or act sick. Ask your doctor to test you or your child for lead.
  • There is no “safe” level of lead in the body.

What You Can Do

Test your home for lead.

  • If your home was built before 1978, have it checked by a licensed lead inspector.
  • Do not try to remove old lead paint yourself! Sanding or scraping lead paint can make dangerous lead dust.

Ask your doctor to test your family for lead poisoning.

Keep your child away from lead sources.

Try to keep your child from eating or chewing on things other than food – especially dirt or painted surfaces like windowsills or doors.

  • Wash your child’s hands often, especially before eating and sleeping, and also after playing outside or on the floor.
  • Vacuum and mop floors and clean around windows and play areas.
  • If you have old paint in your home, cover painted areas or use tape to cover chipping or peeling paint.
  • Keep outside lead from coming in to your home – leave shoes and work clothes at the door and wash door rugs often.

Use cold, filtered water.

  • Use bottled water or a pitcher with a filter if you think your drinking water has lead in it.
  • Run the tap water cold for 1-2 minutes in the morning and then fill a pitcher with water for drinking, cooking, or formula preparation.
  • Do not use hot tap water to prepare baby formula or for cooking. Hot water may contain higher levels of lead. Boiling water will not reduce the amount of lead.

Prepare and store foods safely.

  • Store food in glass, stainless steel, or plastic containers.
  • Do not use glazed pottery to cook, serve, or store food unless you know it is lead-free.
  • Clean counters before preparing food.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

Who to Call

For blood lead testing, call your doctor. If your child has Medicaid, you can call Texas Health Steps at 1-877-TXSTEPS if you need help finding health care.

If you have questions about lead poisoning, contact the Texas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-588 1248 or www.dshs.state. tx. us/lead/parents.shtm.

Your Guide to Raising a Healthy Eater

Having young children is one of the hardest and most rewarding times of your life! Between working and taking care of your family’s needs, it’s sometimes easy to forget to make sure everything is on track. That’s where this guide comes in handy. Written with information from doctors, nutritionists, and moms who have been there, this is a great guide to help your child become a healthy eater. The more your kids grow, the more you will want to know!

In this guide, you will learn:

Helping Your Child Develop Healthy Food Habits

Healthy Foods for a Healthy Plate

Physical Activity for your Child

Behaviors That Help Families Stay Healthy

Download Guide

The Magic of Everyday Moments (12-15 Months)

Remember, everyday moments are rich bonding and learning opportunities. Enjoy the magic of these moments with your child.

Logo for Johnson and Johnson Pediatric Institute LLC

Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., is a company solely
dedicated to improving maternal and children’s healthcare through the advancement of continued learning and research in pediatrics, child development, parenting and maternity care. Through partnerships with leading healthcare professionals, developmental specialists and international organizations, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., identifies, develops and implements initiatives and programs that help shape the future of children’s health around the world.

Logo for Zero to Three organization

ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization of renowned pediatricians, educators, researchers, and other child development experts who specialize in the first years of life.

Although there were times during your baby’s first year when the days (and nights) seemed endless—3 a.m. feedings, late afternoon cranky sessions, that first tooth breaking through—right now things probably feel a little calmer in some ways, and more demanding in others. This seems to be true for all stages of development; while some things get easier, there are always new challenges. Your child has made the transformation from the tiny stranger who came home with you from the hospital to a self-confident, opinionated person who takes up more space than any two adults combined. As you set about celebrating her first birthday, you find yourself wondering how it all happened so fast. Don’t be surprised by a rush of emotions. You have probably just been through the most emotional and intense year of your adult life!

One-year-olds have a remarkable sense of independence that comes hand-in-hand with their new ability to do things for themselves. But as much as they enjoy their independence, they also take great pleasure in running back into your arms. They love to be cuddled and carried and babied… as long as they’re the ones who decide when to be a “big girl” and when to be “a baby.” While this can drive parents crazy (“Is she a baby or a teenager?”) what your child needs to know is that whatever she chooses to be in any given moment, you’ll be there for her. In fact, if you respond to her need to be “babied,” she’ll eventually choose the “big girl” role over the baby.

Download The Magic of Everyday Moments™ (12-15 Months)

How to set rules for your child

Your child can crawl, now they need rules to stay safe.

Set Rules When Your Child is 6 Months Old

  • When you can, say do instead of do not.
    • Do share the toys (instead of do not take the toys away).
    • Do be gently to other people(instead of do not hit).
    • Do hold my hand (Instead of do not run away).
  • Speak directly to your child. Talk to her at eye level.
  • Say what you want your child to do in simple clear words.
  • Say your rules firmly. You can be firm without yelling.
  • Say the rule every time you need to until your child learns it. It will take many times and some patience!

Make Sure to:

  • Inform everyone taking care of your child to use the same rules.
  • Write the rules down as it can help
  • Start with 2-3 rules to keep your child and others safe.
  • Add more rules later about not breaking things and being polite.

Parents are Teachers

Here are some things parents can do to teach their 6 month to 3 year old about safety and respect.

Baby Proof Your Home

  • Move things that can break out of reach.
  • Put things your child can play with down low.
  • Use gates and lock drawers to keep your child in a safe place.

Change the Subject

  • Use a toy, favorite food, or silly game to distract your child.

Pick your Battles

  • Be firm about safety rules.
  • Ignore thigs that are not dangerous like tantrums, whining, or interrupting.

Use the Power of "No"

  • Move close to your child.
  • Look directly into your child’s eyes.
  • Do not smile.
  • Say “no” or “stop.”

Guide Your Child

  • If your kid will not go where you tell them, pick them up or lead them by their hand.
  • Say “I am going to help you go to your room” for example.

Use a Short Time-Out

  • This can stop or change behavior.
  • Move your child to a boring place.
  • Keep it short. It should be one minute for each year of age.
  • Say “Time out is over. Come back and play.”

Keeping Your Baby’s Teeth Healthy

TIPS FOR HEALTHY TEETH:

  • Take good care of your child’s baby teeth. They help your child chew food, speak clearly, and save space for their adult teeth.
  • Keep your teeth and mouth clean. You can pass cavity-causing germs to your baby by kissing or sharing food.
  • Do NOT let your child carry a bottle or cup of juice, milk, or sweet drinks. Sipping on sugary drinks all day can cause tooth decay.

BIRTH – 6 MONTHS

  • Breastfed babies have fewer dental problems and less tooth decay than bottle-fed babies.
  • Wipe your baby’s mouth and gums at least once a day with a soft, clean washcloth.
  • Hold your baby when you feed them. Do NOT put your baby to bed with a bottle.
  • Do not prop up your baby’s bottle.

6-12 MONTHS

  • Your baby is ready to start using a cup.
  • Give your baby a little breastmilk, formula, water, or juice in a cup at mealtimes.
  • Limit juice to 2-4 ounces per day. Never put juice in a bottle.
  • At 9 months, gradually start replacing one bottle at a time with a cup.

 

FIRST BIRTHDAY

  • Take your child to the dentist for their first checkup. Lookout for white spots on their teeth as this could be a sign of cavities.
  • Only give your child a cup, they do not need bottles anymore

 

1-5 YEARS:

  • Help your child brush their teeth at least twice a day. Do not use toothpaste until they are 3 years old, and only use a pea-sized amount.
  • At 15 months your child should stop using no-spill cups
  • Give your child healthy snacks, like vegetables, fruits, cheese, and yogurt.
  • Limit juice.
    • 1-3 years old, limit juice to 4 ounces a day.
    • 4-6 years old, limit juice to 6 ounces a day.
  • Limit sugary foods and drinks, including fruit drinks/juice, sweet tea, and sugary cereals.