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The Magic of Everyday Moments (18-24 Months)

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

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.

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.

When your child starts to talk, it opens a whole new world and ends a lot of guessing games. Most children this age can use several words. This reduces a lot of frustration for you and your child. It can also be a very exciting time as you see a vocabulary “explosion” with new words every day. The more you talk with her, the more words she learns. She’ll also have more confidence in her ability to communicate.

Of course, more words doesn’t mean an end to all parenting challenges. You may experience what many call the “terrible two’s” (which often starts before 18 months!) But while toddlers can be exhausting and infuriating at times, they aren’t “terrible.” They are just eager explorers, testing out different behaviors without yet understanding right from wrong; and, without the self-control to stop themselves from doing what they want, even if they’ve been told countless times what is and isn’t okay. So choose your battles and decide what is important to address. When you do lay down the law and are met with angry protests and tears, remind yourself that you’re doing the right thing. Although it’s never fun to be the “heavy,” children thrive on clear and consistent limits. Limits help children learn what is and isn’t acceptable and helps them make good choices as they grow.

Download The Magic of Everyday Moments™ (18-24 Months)

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

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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.

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.

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)

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.

Tips for your 10-12 month old baby

HELP ME BE HEALTHY.

At this checkup, the doctor will:

Weigh and measure me.

Give me any vaccines or blood tests I missed before.

Give me vaccines at 12 months of age.

Check my teeth.

Screen me to see if I have been exposed to lead. I can get lead in my body by breathing or eating lead dust, chips, or flakes. The lead can get into my nerves and my bones. It can affect the way I learn, grow, and hear. The earlier we catch the problem, the less harm will happen to me.

Ask my doctor about a tuberculin test.

Watch for signs of an ear infection.

If I tug at my ears or have a cold lasting many days, this could mean I have an ear infection. Ear infections could affect my hearing. Being sick a lot could affect my growth and learning. If I don’t feel well, it might be hard for me to see, hear, think, and learn. If I act, look, or feel like I’m sick, please call the doctor or nurse right away.

TAKE CARE OF MY TEETH.

Start planning for my next dental visit for when I’m 12 months old.

Call your dentist or a dentist just for me and set up this visit.

Brush my teeth ever y day, and look for any white or brown spots. These could be cavities.

If I have any white or brown spots on my teeth, take me to the dentist as soon as possible.

HELP ME BE SAFE.

I like to pull things out of drawers. Make sure drawers cannot be pulled out all the way.

Make sure that unsafe things are not in the drawers. Give me a low drawer or cupboard of my own to store some of my toys.

Store my toys, books, and other things where I can reach them. Sturdy shelves, dishpans, buckets, and cardboard boxes are good.

I can choke on food. Don’t give me hard-to-chew foods such as popcorn, nuts, raisins, tortilla chips and grapes. Don’t give me hotdogs, even if they’re cut into pieces.

I still need to be watched carefully. Common accidents for children my age are: falls, burns, choking, poisoning, car accidents, and drowning. Don’t leave me in a bath or around anything with water (like a mop bucket).

PLAY WITH ME, IT HELPS ME LEARN.

Make a book for me using cardboard for the pages. Paste photographs and pictures from magazines on the pages. I like to see pictures of me, my family and my favorite toys, foods, and places. Let me turn the pages.

Play a game of “Which-hand-is-it-in?” Hold a small object in your hand. Show me what’s in your hand. Switch back and forth between your hands. Let me guess which hand the object is in.

Let me practice dropping things into containers such as a block into a box. I will need help getting the blocks back out.

Good Days and Bad Days

All parents have bad days and sometimes feel worn out. It is common for a parent’s body to ache a little from the work of being a parent. This doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong. Remember that these bad days are usually followed by good days. Young children need parents who try their best, but that doesn’t mean you will succeed all the time. Try not to worry about being a super parent or a super family.

Talking to someone and asking for help:

Shows that you love me and care about me.

Shows that you are being a good parent.

WATCH HOW I GROW

I’m special. I learn at my own pace.
Most children have the following skills by the time they are a year old. If I’m not doing several of the items on this list, talk to 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:

Play Pat-a-cake or other clapping games.

Pull myself up by hanging onto a chair or my crib rail.

Pick up a cube or small toy in each hand and bang them together.

Pick up a small object, like a piece of cereal, using my thumb and a finger.

Say the same sound over and over, like, “babababa” or “lalalala.”

Say “mama” or “dada.” Even though I say these words, I don’t know what they mean. They are sounds for me to say.

Stop doing something if you say “No.” I sometimes stop doing it only for a short time, though. Changing my attention with a toy is best.

Follow some easy directions, like, “Come here” or “Give it to me.”

Stand by myself for at least two seconds.

Sit up all by myself.

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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.

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.

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.”

Tips for your 7-9 month old baby

HELP ME BE HEALTHY.

At this checkup, the doctor will:

Weigh and measure me.

Check my development.

Check my heart, lungs, and other body parts.

Give me any vaccines and blood tests I missed before.

Remember to take my health journal to the doctor visit.

Plan my meals

At 8 months, I can have meats prepared for babies. Add the baby food meats to my meals of cereal, vegetables, and fruit.

Don’t feed me hard foods or foods that crumble easily, like graham crackers. I could choke on them.

Help me start drinking from a cup. This will take time. I like the cups with a cover to keep me from spilling. If you don’t have a cover for my cup, put only a small amount in the cup when you give it to me. Don’t give me a Styrofoam cup. I like to chew on the foam. If I chew off a piece of foam, I could choke.

Shoes or no shoes.

I don’t really need shoes to help me learn how to walk.

After I do learn how to walk, shoes or sneakers will protect my feet.

KEEP ME SAFE.

Now that I can pull myself up, there are new dangers.

When you cook. turn pot handles to the center of the stove.

Don’t leave spoons or anything hanging over the edge of the stove.

Check knobs on the TV and stereo to make sure they can’t come off.

Watch out for carts, chairs, tables with wheels, floor lamps, and aquariums that could fall over. When I pull or push on these, they could fall on me.

Move the crib mattress to the lowest position so I can’t fall or climb out.

Keep things picked up so I don’t trip on anything or swallow something I should not.

Use corner protectors on sharp edges of furniture.

Keep the bathroom door closed so I don’t play in the toilet bowl.

Check my toys. Make sure they are not broken and they don’t have any sharp edges or pieces that can hurt me. If I have stuffed animals and dolls with button eyes or noses, make sure they cannot come off. I could choke on them.

Put things out of reach that you don’t want me to swallow or put in my mouth. Pills, cleaners, makeup, and plants are dangerous. If you think I have swallowed something, first call the Poison Control Center toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.

Take away anything that dangles. I will pull on a table cloth or dresser scarf. Keep my crib away from curtains and venetian blind cords.

When you take me shopping, strap me into the shopping cart seat. If there isn’t a strap, make sure that I stay in the seat.

Watch me carefully when I’m around water. I like to play in water, but I can easily drown in a few inches of water in a tub, toilet bowl, bucket, or wading pool.

PLAY WITH ME, IT HELPS ME LEARN.

Put a small ball on my high chair tray and teach me how to make the ball move.

Help me learn the names of my body parts by pointing to them and naming them. I won’t be able to say them for a while.

Play hide and seek with me. Ask me, “Where is (name a person)?” I will try to look for them.

Read to me. Look at magazines and picture books with me. Point to a picture and name it. Say “See the cat,” and, “Look at the flower.” Ask me sometimes, “What is thatt’ Wait a few seconds before you tell me. Soon I will be able to give you an answer.

Build towers with blocks or toys.

Play “So Big!” Show me how to lift my arms over my head and say, “So big.”

Give me a chance to smell some safe things, such as food, flowers, and spices.

Help me learn why some things are not safe. If I go to the stove or heater, say, “hot,” and move me away. If I reach for a shoe and you know it will go in my mouth, say, “Tastes bad,” and move me away.

WATCH HOW I GROW.

Children are very different from one another.
I’m special. I learn at my own pace. Help me practice new skills when you play with me. Most babies have the following skills at the end of 9 months. If you are worried about me, talk to my doctor or nurse.To find a nearby Early Childhood Intervention program, call the OARS Help line toll-free at 1-800-628-5115.

Watch for me to:

Sit for a few seconds without any help.

Feed myself dry cereal or foods I can eat with my fingers. I’m pretty messy.

Say “ma,” “ga,” “da,” “di,” “ba,” and other sounds.

Pick up small things, like a piece of dry cereal, using my whole hand in a raking motion.

Listen to people talking and try to make the same sounds.

Hold a small block in one hand and pass it to the other hand.

Look for something that I have dropped.

Hold onto something and stand for about five seconds.

You may notice that I also:

Get upset if you leave me, even if it’s for a short time. I will feel better when you return.

Start to drink juice from a cup.

Know which toys are mine. I don’t like it when my toys are taken away.

Might be afraid of things that were okay before. I might be afraid of my bath, a babysitter, or the dark.

Might be stubborn sometimes. This is part of growing up.

Might be fearful or shy of strangers.

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The Magic of Everyday Moments (9-12 Months)

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

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.

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.

At 9 months, babies have their own ideas about themselves and the world. They are masters at asserting themselves in all sorts of ways, both charming (finding you in another room and pulling himself up on your leg to give you a big hug) and frustrating (throwing food he doesn’t care for off the highchair or refusing to lie down for a diaper change). You might hand him a toy only to have him fling it to the floor and scream. He doesn’t want that toy… he wants the other one! And if you can’t read his mind and give him that desired toy, he’ll just continue to complain and protest until he gets his hands on what he does want. Thankfully, at 9 months, babies are mastering the idea that things that they can’t see still exist, so he’ll soon be able to find what he’s looking for himself.

Your easygoing little guy is emerging as a very intense and powerful force. This requires a real adjustment on your part; just as your baby is developing new skills by leaps and bounds, it seems you need a whole new set of strategies to parent this very strong individual. It’s no wonder you’re still so tired, even though your baby may finally be sleeping through the night. You needn’t feel guilty that you find yourself eager to tuck him in at the end of the day so you can have some time to yourself. But when you’re at your wit’s end, remember, this self assertion—often called willfulness—is really not a bad thing! When you think about the abilities you want your child to have as he grows, knowing what he wants and going for it is key to his success.

Download The Magic of Everyday Moments™ (9-12 Months)

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