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My 12-month-old baby: reaching milestones together
You and your baby have been together for one year, and she is developing a personality all her own. And she is developing quickly. She will soon experience the physical changes of becoming a toddler, so it is time to plan and prepare for her growing needs.
Baby bottle-weaning tips for 1-year-old babies
If your 1-year-old baby has not started using a "sippy" cup yet, here are some helpful tips that could help:
- Offer the cup instead of the morning and evening bottles.
- Do not let your baby carry the bottle around with her. Limit the places she can have it (on your lap, at the table).
- Do not introduce new beverages in a sippy cup. Let her drink only breast milk or baby formula. It might be a good time to switch to a toddler formula such as Similac® Go & Grow®. Check with your health care provider for guidance.
- Give her a snack before bedtime. It could help her get to sleep.
- Let her spend time with her blanket or favorite special stuffed animal before bedtime, instead of with the bottle.
Engage your 12-month-old baby's growing brain
As your baby turns another month older, she will get more out of playing in social settings as well as the one-on-one time you spend with her.
Here are some helpful tips to keep her mind growing:
- Introduce her to brief playdates to practice playing in groups. There will not be much interactive playing yet, but it will help her get used to the playing environment.
- Show her how to pull a pull toy. To prevent choking, put away toys with long strings when you cannot watch your baby play.
- "Read" a picture book with her — identify what you see on each page to help her learn new words and objects.
12-month-old baby developmental milestones
Your baby will develop at her own pace, which is completely normal. Here is a list of 12-month-old milestones your baby likely will be able to achieve, or will achieve soon:
- Take the first solo step
- Say two words other than "mama" and "dada"
- Make "baby-talk" sentences
- Imitate your actions
- Drink from a cup, without help
Keep learning about your baby's development every week
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