Terri Ramsey Beavers Your baby is growing up! There are many adjustments for both parents and bub as they move from the adorable squishy baby stage to that of a curious toddler. Here are five of the big ones that you can expect.
Dramas With Tiny Teeth
Between the ages of six months and three years old, your little one’s teeth will come marching in. This is when you should head over to Dentistry 4 Children And Adults 2 clinic to book an appointment for him. This progression is usually accompanied by sooky behavior, chewing on everything, and lots of drool. It also means that you need to start taking care of those tiny teeth by brushing twice a day and getting regular dental check-ups. It is also a great time to consider affordable dental cover so that you don’t get any nasty surprises in the future. Dental treatment can be expensive!
Growth Spurt Galore
You would already be accustomed to your little one growing out of clothes in the blink of an eye from when they were a baby. You can expect this trend to continue, and with it comes a massive variation in appetite from week to week. When your child is experiencing a growth spurt, they will be hungry all day long and eat more than you would think possible for such a small person. The next week, their appetite may wane as their growth slows. Try not to worry too much – toddlers are very good at regulating the amount of food their body needs (although not always as good at recognizing the value of green vegetables).
In Constant Motion
Your toddler is learning at an incredible rate. Two of the crucial skills they need to master are gross motor skills and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills include things like sitting up, standing, walking, and jumping. Fine motor skills might be picking items up, using a spoon to feed themselves, putting objects in a bucket or basket, and taking them back out.
You can expect them to be busy with a capital B. This constant motion often means you need to toddler-proof any hazards around the house like stairs or electrical outlets and move precious or breakable ornaments, books, and electronics out of reach. It’s a good idea to set boundaries to teach them what they can play with and what they can’t.
A Bid for Independence
It is the norm for children this age to want to do everything themselves. They are discovering their independence, and often their ambition outweighs their ability. As much as possible, try to have the patience to let them do things themselves. Practicing is the only way they will learn.
This development may mean that you need to triple the amount of time it takes to get out the door, though – consider yourself warned! It’s also a great idea to let them make decisions wherever possible, like between two different shirts, or about which park to head to today.
Watch Your Mouth
Toddlers, much like parrots, are incredible mimics. As they learn to use their voice, you will find them repeating everything you say. This new stage can be both adorable and terrifying, depending on the scenario. Try to curb your road rage and replace any swear words with alternatives to avoid embarrassing situations. A good tip for frustrating situations: “truck” sounds remarkably like another word that you may accidentally let slip.
Above all else, remember to enjoy this stage because before you know it, they will be at the next step and heading off to school.
Photo from Zach Vessels via Unsplash