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Tips & Advice on Baby Care for Your Baby at 12 Months Old

Month 12 You¿ve Reached Milestones Together
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It's hard to believe it has been a year since you brought that tiny infant home. And now she's developing into a person in her own right, with a personality all her own. It won't be long now before you start to see the physical changes that say she'll be a toddler soon, so cherish the moment! Also this month, you've got a landmark birthday to plan for (if you haven't already started) — so celebrate!. And discover:

Engaging Your 12-Month-Old's Mind

This month's new activities include:

  • Introducing her to brief playdates for group play practice (although there won't be much interactive playing yet)
  • Showing her how to pull a pull toy. (To prevent choking, keep toys with long strings put away when you can't watch your baby play.)
  • "Reading" a picture book with her — identifying what you see on each page
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Graduation-to-Toddler Safety Tips

If you haven't already, now is a good time to make sure you've taken all the baby safety measures you can. Here's a checklist:

  • Check that all approved safety gates are in place and in working order.
  • Lower the crib mattress so your baby can't crawl or fall out while she's standing.
  • Install childproof locks for drawers, screens, doors, and windows.
  • Keep poisonous substances (including household cleaners) in high, locked cabinets.
  • Stay close to your baby around water — pools, tubs, large buckets of water, and toilets.
  • Continue to buckle your baby into an approved, properly installed car seat, but never in a seat protected by an air bag.
  • Make sure you've got safety plugs over all electrical outlets.
  • Buy your baby objects that are large enough that she can't fit them into her mouth. This prevents choking hazards.
  • Keep numbers for your baby's health care provider, the Poison Control Center, and hospital emergency room by the phone so they're handy in case of emergency.

For more on keeping your home safe for your baby, see Baby-Proofing the Home for Your Little One.

There's not much that's more fun than baby birthdays, and you'll probably never throw a shorter party. Back to Top >

Planning a Safe and Fun First Birthday Party

Baby birthdays are a lot of fun — and you'll probably never throw a shorter party. Here are some tips to help make yours a success:

For safety:

  • Limit the party area to one childproofed room.
  • Remove all breakables and sharp objects.
  • Avoid snacks such as popcorn and peanuts — even for adults. Babies can pick them up from the floor and choke on them.

For your guests:

  • Make sure each child has a toy, party favor, and a chair. (You could ask guests bringing babies to their own high chairs.)
  • Provide disposable bibs and baby wipes for quick cleanups.
  • Take lots of pictures. Make doubles to send to the guests.

Party time:

  • Set a time limit — an hour should be enough. Any longer and you may have exhausted babies (and parents).
  • Lots of decorations, safe snacks, and music set the tone.
  • Play short games, such as rolling/bouncing balls. Everyone gets a prize.
  • Play music, sing songs, and dance.
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Baby Bottle-Weaning Tips

Around 12 months, many babies are happy to abandon the bottle for a sippy cup. If your baby can't quite take that step yet, here are some things to try:

  • Take it slow. Trade the bottle for the cup at noontime.
  • Offer the cup instead of the morning and evening bottles.
  • Don't let your baby carry the bottle around with her. Limit the places she can have it (on your lap, at the table).
  • Don't introduce new beverages in a sippy cup. Let her drink only breast milk, or infant formula such as Similac Go & Grow®.
  • Give her a snack before bedtime. It could help her get to sleep.
  • Spend time with her blankie or favorite special animal before bedtime, instead of the bottle. There may be a few tears the first few nights.
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