19-Month-Outdated-Child: Feeding, Sleep, and Milestones By Month

Reaching 19 months is an thrilling time for each toddlers and their dad and mom. This stage marks vital progress in numerous developmental areas, together with bodily, cognitive, and social abilities. Understanding the 19-month milestones to look out for may help caregivers present one of the best assist for his or her youngster’s progress and well-being. This text will cowl key 19-month milestones, well being issues, feeding and sleep schedules, every day actions, and useful suggestions for folks of a toddler.

Your 19-month-old is consistently taking in and making sense of their environment and discovering find out how to work together with their setting. They’re studying new duties and data on daily basis. Every toddler is on their very own timeline, and no two youngsters develop on the similar price, however there are some upcoming 19-month milestones to look out for.¹ Mastering these abilities is named growth, which we are able to measure in particular milestones. Developmental milestones could be damaged down into completely different domains or arenas primarily based on muscle teams and mind utilization, together with:^1,2

Language and communication milestones contain understanding and saying phrases and in the end placing them collectively. So, what number of phrases ought to a 19-month-old say? You possibly can anticipate wherever between 10 and 50 phrases at this age, even when their pronunciation is unclear. Listed below are another language and communication milestones for a 19-month-old:^2,3,4

• Factors to point they need one thing
• Factors to the proper picture once you ask, “The place is the apple?” or “Present me the canine”
• Understands and follows a one-step route, reminiscent of “Go seize your coat” or “Discover your ball within the playroom”
• Imitates or repeats a two-word sentence, reminiscent of “Daddy’s house!” or “The place’s pet?”
• Names acquainted objects, gadgets, or folks of their world
• Begins placing collectively two phrases representing completely different concepts, reminiscent of “Need some,” “Canine bark,” or “Kitty gone” (that is completely different from saying two phrases that signify a single concept, like “all achieved” or “What’s this?”)

At 19 months, strolling is the first mode of shifting round, versus crawling. Your child’s gross motor milestones, which contain massive muscle actions, embrace the next:^2,4,5

• From standing, squats or bends over to choose up an object off the ground, then returns to standing with none assist
• Walks nicely and infrequently falls
• Climbs on a stool or chair to succeed in one thing they need, reminiscent of an merchandise on the counter
• Walks up or down a set of stairs whereas holding your hand, a railing, or the wall
• Imitates you kicking a big ball
• Makes an attempt to make use of their toes to propel a using toy ahead
• Seems extra coordinated when attempting to run
• Climbs chairs and different low items of furnishings with out help

High-quality motor milestones contain small muscle actions and occupational/self-care duties. Listed below are high quality motor milestones for a 19-month-old:^2,4

• Throws a small ball with ahead arm movement, versus merely dropping it
• Stacks two to 3 small blocks or toys on high of each other with out help
• Makes marks on paper with the tip of a writing instrument reminiscent of a crayon, pen, or coloured pencil when trying to attract
• Turns the pages of a guide by themselves (although they might flip a couple of web page at a time)
• Feeds themself utilizing a fork or spoon and normally places the spoon of their mouth the proper manner (in order that not a lot meals spills off)
• Sips from a cup and units it down with little spilling
• Separates related blocks by pulling them aside
• Helps gown or undress themselves

Milestones on this space relate to your youngster taking on this planet round them via sight, scent, style, listening to, and contact. Listed below are the sensory milestones to concentrate on in a 19-month-old child:^6,7

• Is uncomfortable in a unclean diaper
• Differentiates between meals and inedible objects
• Acknowledges and reacts to extremes in temperature and understands cold and hot
• Understands the hazard of scorching, sharp, or steep objects and conditions
• Expresses enjoyment at sensory or messy play
• Enjoys affection and likes hugs and kisses from acquainted folks

All these milestones contain issues like taking part in, creativeness, copying, and asking for assist. Discover the non-public, social, and emotional milestones to look out for in your 19-month-old under:^2,5,8

• Hugs dolls or stuffed animals
• Tries to get your consideration by pulling in your garments or hand
• Approaches you once they need assistance or asks for assist with a process like turning on a toy or placing the lid on a jar
• Copies your actions, reminiscent of sweeping, wiping down counters, brushing hair, or shaving
• Engages in fake play, like speaking on the telephone, feeding a child doll, or driving a toy automotive figurine
• Enjoys listening to tales and singing songs
• Seems to be within the route you’re pointing
• Exhibits pleasure in accomplishments and appears for reward, like applauding themselves or beaming with pleasure after a bodily or psychological problem
• Says “No!” ceaselessly, which displays an understanding of autonomy, alternative, and identification (they might merely appear grumpy or defiant, however they’re really asserting their newfound independence!)

Additionally, 19-month-old tantrums could be widespread over issues like separation from you or transitioning out of most popular actions. Crying and screaming at this age is anticipated generally, however your youngster ought to be capable to relax inside quarter-hour. They shouldn’t attempt to harm themselves or others by hitting, kicking, or biting.⁸ To assist your youngster via a tantrum, you possibly can validate the sensation, maintain boundaries whereas holding them secure, and provides them another (inform them one thing they will do as an alternative). For instance, “I do know you’re annoyed. You possibly can’t hit, however you possibly can stomp your toes or hit this pillow.”

Your 19-month-old ought to be consuming three meals per day and two to 3 snacks at this age — a complete of 5 to 6 consuming periods in a day. An everyday feeding schedule helps your toddler study what meals to anticipate and when. You management what meals to supply your youngster, and so they resolve whether or not and the way a lot they need to eat.⁹ Mealtimes could be alternatives not solely to eat collectively but in addition to bond as a household!⁸

Deal with providing your youngster a wide range of meals from the next meals teams:⁹

Relying on what you will have entry to, purpose to current a wide range of fruits to your youngster to show them to completely different colours, flavors, and textures. Recent, frozen, and canned fruits are all good choices, so long as they don’t have any added sugar. Purpose for ¼ to ½ cup of fruits per meal or snack for 2 to 4 servings of fruit per day.^9,10

Darkish inexperienced, purple, and orange greens all present completely different important vitamins to your toddler. You possibly can provide greens uncooked or cooked, however take note of how they’re ready and lower on account of choking hazards. Purpose for ¼ to ½ cup of greens per meal or snack for a complete of three to 5 servings of greens per day.^9,10

Complete-wheat bread and pasta, whole-grain cereal, corn tortillas, quinoa, or brown rice are good choices for entire grains, which is usually a good supply of fiber and even protein. Purpose for 2 to 3 servings of entire grains every day.²⁵ A serving consists of 1 slice of bread or ¼ to ½ cup of pasta, rice, or cereal.^9,10

Poultry, meat, eggs, fish, and legumes like beans and nuts are all good sources of protein for younger youngsters. A serving of protein ought to be concerning the dimension of your youngster’s palm, and toddlers ought to eat two to 3 servings of protein every day.^9,10

19-month-olds can drink 8 to 16 ounces of entire milk per day, and so they can have a complete of two to 3 1-cup servings of dairy (reminiscent of milk, yogurt, and cheese) per day. An excessive amount of milk can hinder a toddler’s urge for food for different meals and enhance their danger for anemia (low iron within the blood).²⁶ It’s additionally nice in case your youngster continues to breastfeed. Remember that they might naturally reduce on breastmilk as their meals consumption continues to extend.^9,10

Meals To Restrict and Keep away from at 19 Months

Whereas selection in your 19-month-old’s weight loss program is crucial, and most foods and drinks gadgets are high quality sparsely, there are just a few meals to restrict or keep away from at this age:

Full-fat cow’s milk is a good supply of protein and calcium, however an excessive amount of milk can intrude along with your toddler’s urge for food for different meals. This, in flip, will increase their danger for anemia. Attempt providing ½ cup (4 fluid ounces) of milk three to 4 instances per day in a cup, not a bottle, however give them not more than 16 ounces in a day.⁹

Whereas juice does present among the similar dietary advantages as fruit, it’s typically greater in sugar and decrease in fiber than entire fruit. So, restrict your youngster’s juice consumption to 4 ounces per day or much less. For drinks, provide them water or milk, and provides them entire fruit to fulfill their fruit juice craving.⁹

Sugar offers energy and vitality to toddlers, but when they eat meals with an excessive amount of added sugar, they might replenish on “empty” energy whereas lacking out on the vitamins of meals with much less added sugar. Keep away from soda, vitality or sports activities drinks, fruit drinks, and flavored milks.^9,10

Including salt to meals enhances or brings out its taste, however salt is an acquired style. Style buds can get used to it and crave increasingly. In maturity, extra salt could cause hypertension, so keep away from getting your youngster accustomed to overly salty meals this younger. Moreover, meals excessive in salt are sometimes extremely processed (reminiscent of potato chips, canned soups, and scorching canine), and also you doubtless need to restrict these in your toddler anyway. Contemplate cooking with herbs and spices or lemon juice as an alternative to supply depth of taste.^9,10

Whereas every household’s menu and feeding schedule might be a bit completely different from day after day and household to household, right here’s a pattern feeding schedule in your 19-month-old:

7:30 a.m.
Breakfast: Yogurt with berries and unsweetened whole-grain cereal
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack: Apple slices with peanut butter or cheese cubes
12:00 p.m.
Lunch: Complete-grain bread with turkey and avocado, steamed carrots
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack: Crackers with hummus or cheese or a smoothie pouch
5:30 p.m.
Dinner: Grilled hen, quinoa, and broccoli

Many 19-month-olds are choosy eaters, which could be so irritating for folks who simply need their youngsters to be wholesome and well-nourished. You possibly can fight choosy consuming by:^11,12

• Persevering with to supply a wide range of balanced meals and snacks
• Permitting self-feeding when attainable
• Letting them get hungry earlier than attempting one thing new
• Providing new meals alongside ones they’re conversant in
• Staying calm at mealtime
• Not utilizing meals as a punishment or reward

Meals and sleep are the 2 important fuels in your toddler’s progress and growth. So, they should get the beneficial quantity of sleep every day to satisfy their 19-month milestones. At this age, your toddler ought to be getting between 11 and 14 hours of sleep complete in a 24-hour interval, which means this cumulative quantity contains naps.¹³

A sleep regression is a interval of extreme nighttime wakefulness, preventing naps, and preventing bedtime. Whereas not all toddlers undergo this, it’s a standard phenomenon round 19 months as their bodily, psychological, and emotional growth skyrockets.¹⁴ In case your youngster experiences a 19-month sleep regression, it shouldn’t final greater than per week or two.¹⁴ After they emerge from the regression, they need to now not have hassle falling asleep at naptime or nighttime, persistently sleep greater than 10 hours in a 24-hour interval, and not wake three or extra instances per night time.⁸

To keep away from or handle a sleep regression, keep on with a predictable schedule. Whereas it doesn’t need to be inflexible, preserve their bedtime, wake time, and nap time on a well-recognized routine to keep away from sleeping difficulties. Make certain they get loads of exercise all through the day and have restricted display screen time, particularly one hour earlier than mattress.¹³

Once more, by 19 months of age, your youngster ought to be sleeping 11-14 hours complete per day and ought to be down to at least one nap per day.^13,14 Right here’s a pattern sleep schedule in your 19-month-old:

7:00 a.m.
Every day get up
12:30 p.m.
Nap time
3:00 p.m.
Nap get up
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime

Between consuming, sleeping, and actions, you is likely to be questioning the way it all matches collectively! Each household and on daily basis is likely to be a bit completely different, however right here’s a pattern every day schedule for a 19-month-old. Be happy to tailor it for the climate, the season, and some other preferences of you or your toddler!

7:00 a.m.
Get up
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Out of doors stroll
9:00 a.m.
Artwork or music exercise
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack
10:30 a.m.
Free play
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Naptime
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack
3:30 p.m.
Out of doors play
4:30 p.m.
Storytime, video games, or toys
5:30 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 p.m.
Bathtub time
7:00 p.m.
Books, songs, prayers, and snuggles
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well-child visits at 18 months of age and once more at 24 months. In case your youngster hasn’t but seen their pediatrician for his or her 18-month go to, they might be seen at 19 months outdated. Common well being check-ups are essential throughout this developmental stage. Pediatric visits ought to monitor and administer the next:^5,27

• Developmental screenings to look at your youngster’s habits and guarantee they’re assembly many of the milestones listed above (they might display screen for autism spectrum issues and refer you to different providers reminiscent of speech, bodily, and occupational therapies)
• Well being screenings for vitamin, progress, very important indicators, lead poisoning, anemia, listening to and imaginative and prescient points, dental progress/issues (except your toddler has already seen a dentist), and some other issues you could have
• Immunizations and vaccines reminiscent of Hepatitis A (in the event that they didn’t obtain it at 12 months), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis/whooping cough), COVID vaccine booster, and influenza vaccine if it’s flu season

Whereas 19-month-olds are studying to speak, they might not have the phrases or capacity to speak their emotions and articulate when one thing feels off of their physique. So, it’s vital to search for sure indicators in your youngster. Some widespread well being issues to be careful for at this age embrace:

In case your youngster is irritable and stressed, crying greater than typical, having hassle sleeping, shedding their urge for food, or utilizing phrases like “ouch,” “hurts,” or “boo-boo,” they might be in ache. It may be tough to inform the place toddler ache is coming from, however you possibly can ask them and see if they’ll level. Keep along with your youngster and create a tender, quiet, soothing house. Maintain, hug, or cuddle them, and think about distraction techniques like tales, bubbles, footage, or music. In case your youngster is inconsolable, suffers an acute harm, and is in ache (or is in ache typically and and not using a recognized trigger), attain out to your pediatrician or go to the closest emergency room.²⁰

More often than not, ache in toddlers could be handled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Their doses are weight-based at this age, so discuss to your supplier about how a lot and the way typically to offer these drugs.²¹ Some widespread sources of ache in toddlers embrace:²¹

• Sore throat: In infants and toddlers, most sore throats are attributable to a virus that simply must run its course over seven to 10 days. Strep throat may be very uncommon at this age, however should you suspect a sore throat, you possibly can take your youngster to their pediatrician to find out in the event that they want testing or antibiotics.
• Earache: There are lots of causes of ear ache in toddlers, together with an an infection, swimmer’s ear, sinus strain from colds, and even teething. The one solution to know the reason for an earache is an examination of the ear with an otoscope. Your pediatrician can look contained in the ear to find out one of the best remedy.
• Teething: Round 16-22 months, the canine tooth usually erupt. Some toddlers don’t have any ache in any respect whereas their tooth are coming in, but when your youngster is drooling greater than typical, biting on toys, and appears in ache, it might be from teething.

A fever (physique temperature elevated to 100.4 levels Fahrenheit or greater when measured rectally) is the physique’s response to an sickness — it helps the physique struggle an an infection. Fevers could be uncomfortable, although, and ought to be handled in case your 19-month-old appears further fussy, is thirsty, doesn’t need to eat, or isn’t sleeping nicely. Fevers could be handled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, however by no means give your toddler aspirin. Additionally, fevers can sometimes trigger a febrile seizure, which could be scary however most frequently isn’t regarding. Febrile seizures go away on their very own with none issues.^22,28

Nonetheless, in case your youngster is seizing for greater than a minute, turning colours, or has any related accidents, get medical assist instantly. Proof doesn’t present that treating the fever reduces the chance of febrile seizure. If the fever lasts longer than 24 hours at this age, you need to contact your youngster’s pediatrician.^22,28

Whereas spending your days along with your beloved toddler is such a privilege, it might generally be tough to determine find out how to fill the time. Listed below are some actions to contemplate along with your toddler:

Contemplate investing in a toddler tower or a stool to have your youngster provide help to prepare dinner within the kitchen. I received one off Fb Market! There are additionally secure toddler utensils and knives to make use of for meals prep. Not solely is that this a enjoyable exercise so that you can do collectively, however it might additionally curiosity them in a brand new meal they’re in any other case against attempting.¹¹

Studying to your toddler is nice for growing their cognitive and language abilities via immersing them in phrases and tales. Moreover, studying a guide collectively is nice for bonding since you’re experiencing a shared story and are sometimes seated shut collectively.¹⁵ Studying collectively ceaselessly may help your youngster meet the 19-month milestone of having the ability to flip the pages of a guide and attain higher kindergarten-readiness!^2,29

Artistic actions like portray and coloring are nice for 19-month-olds. Artwork is a type of sensory play that invokes sight and contact. It additionally builds high quality motor abilities, improves hand-eye coordination, and may help them specific themselves.¹⁶ You possibly can even get artistic your self and plan actions primarily based on the season or any upcoming holidays.

Listening to and creating music are wonderful types of self-expression. Early publicity to music can foster creativity, communication, math abilities, and motor growth. You possibly can hearken to music collectively, observe the instructions of an interactive track, faucet out the beat, sing collectively, and even create your personal devices, like singing via a paper towel roll or making a shaker from dried beans inside a plastic Easter egg.¹⁷ You can even test native schedules to see if there’s a toddler music class in your space — I participated in one in every of these when my first daughter was 19 months outdated, and that’s the place I met a few of my closest mother mates!

Strolling exterior along with your toddler in a stroller exposes them to nature, different sights and sounds, daylight, and maybe interactions with neighbors and animals. Plus, strolling is free and is usually a time of nice bonding. You’re away from the distractions of know-how and may narrate the climate, the terrain, different pedestrians, and every little thing else you see and listen to on the stroll. The bonus is that you simply get a little bit of train as nicely!¹⁸

At 19 months outdated, toddlers are more likely to play alone with out displaying a lot curiosity in taking part in with others. They’ll additionally doubtless be possessive of their toys, have hassle sharing, and need to keep in their very own play space. Regardless that they’re usually too younger to work together with different youngsters throughout play, they might nonetheless get pleasure from taking part in alongside different youngsters or watching youngsters play with out collaborating.¹⁹ Contemplate getting along with different younger youngsters for a playdate as an exercise in your toddler. As a plus, you could get some socialization with different dad and mom!

As your child grows right into a shifting, operating, climbing toddler, they develop into extra in danger for accidents, that are the main reason behind loss of life in toddlers in the US.²³ Accidents are each guardian’s worst nightmare, and accidents can occur to even essentially the most attentive dad and mom. So, observe the protection suggestions under to forestall accidents, study first assist, and search medical consideration instantly within the occasion of an harm. Listed below are some hazards to look out for and tricks to preserve your toddler secure:

Whereas your youngster ought to begin to differentiate meals from nonfood gadgets at this age, they nonetheless discover their world by placing a lot of issues of their mouths.⁶ Preserve all cleaners and drugs in a locked cupboard out of attain of curious arms and wandering eyes. Additionally, preserve all merchandise of their unique containers, so should you ever must contact Poison Management at 1-800-222-1222, you already know precisely what your youngster could have ingested.²³

Your toddler is on the transfer and could also be tempted to climb and discover as a result of they don’t but perceive warning or hazard. Pay attention to the place you permit stools, chairs, and different furnishings (in any other case, they might attempt to climb on counters, home windows, and excessive ledges!). Block off all steep staircases with a latched door or a gate. Guarantee your youngster can’t open second-story home windows.²³

Furnishings like televisions, dressers, and bookshelves can tip over onto youngsters and crush them or trigger inner accidents. To forestall furnishings from tipping onto your youngster, anchor massive furnishings gadgets to the studs of a wall, set up drawer stops so your youngster can’t pull drawers out all the best way, and by no means place a TV, toys, or distant controls on high of dressers that youngsters might be tempted to climb.²⁴ Moreover, take away furnishings with sharp corners out of your toddler’s play space or set up nook protectors.²³

Your toddler could love swimming and bathtime at this age, however you need to by no means depart them unsupervised within the pool, tub, and many others. — even for a second. Even youngsters who know find out how to swim can drown, so you’ll want to fence in all swimming swimming pools and preserve all lavatory doorways closed.²³

Burns generally occur within the kitchen. Make sure that pot handles aren’t hanging off the range and that your toddler isn’t at your toes once you’re carrying one thing scorching. Spills like pasta water, espresso, or tea could cause extreme burns, so preserve these gadgets out of attain. You possibly can stop tub burns by setting your most water heater temperature to 120 levels Fahrenheit. Lastly, preserve your youngster away from fireplaces and think about placing a barrier round them.²³

Typically, parenting can really feel intuitive; different instances, it might really feel overwhelming, and you could finish the day feeling like you don’t have any concept what you’re doing! Listed below are just a few suggestions for managing your 19-month-old’s behaviors and feelings and fostering this stage of growth:

Many 19-month-olds are reaching a stage of eager to do every little thing themselves. So, put techniques in place that permit your toddler to assist as a lot as attainable in your house. As an illustration, get them a stool to allow them to wash their arms, have coat and shoe storage they will attain to place their very own gadgets away, and permit them to brush their tooth earlier than or after you do it. You can even enlist their assist in easy family chores (like placing napkins and silverware on the desk) to offer them a way of helpfulness and independence.¹² These chores and actions will take longer, however permitting them some management over what they do may help with their emotional regulation and growth.

Set up clear and constant boundaries to assist your youngster perceive expectations, which may scale back 19-month-old tantrums. You possibly can even attempt making a sport out of sure routines and bounds. As an illustration, ask your youngster, “What do we’ve got to do earlier than we make dinner?” and permit them to reply, “Clear!” Reinforce this behavior by praising them for remembering the routine and serving to them decide up their toys earlier than dinner. However don’t be afraid of setting a boundary like “We will’t have a snack till our blocks are put away” and holding that boundary regardless of potential resistance.¹²

Negotiating with a toddler all day can get irritating. Permit your youngster a alternative between two choices when attainable, reminiscent of: “Your sneakers must be put away. Do you need to put your sneakers away, or would you like me to do it?” Perceive that emotional outbursts are widespread at this age. Supply consolation and reassurance throughout difficult moments, and relaxation assured that they’ll go. If in any respect attainable, permit your self to take breaks from 1:1 time along with your youngster via babysitters, daycare, or assist from household and mates. It takes a village to boost a toddler!¹²

19-month-olds are at a dynamic stage of growth the place their personalities proceed to emerge as their language and motor abilities blossom. Understanding their 19-month milestones and having a framework for feeding, sleeping, well being, and actions may help you foster their psychological and bodily progress. This enjoyable age could be made much less intimidating for folks in the event that they know what to anticipate from their toddlers, who’re altering on daily basis.