Baby`s development in month 12

Your baby is a year old! Looking back over the past year, it is amazing how fast she has grown and developed! It probably has been an exciting and eventful year. She may be walking, but if she is not she will be soon! She can climb up and down the stairs and may be able to climb out of her crib or playpen. She likes to take the lids off of containers. Give her a tupperware container that she can put toys in and watch her get it open! She is also becoming more independent and insists upon doing things on her own. Although she is not very good at it, she tries to dress herself. Allow her to help button, snap, tie and velcro her outfits and shoes.

You may have noticed that the babbling has quieted. Now that he is mobile, he will be less interested in talking and more interested in moving. He still likes to hear new words and will try to repeat what he hears.

Your child is very adamant about her likes and dislikes. She is still afraid of strangers and new places. Make sure you give her the time she needs to adjust to new situations. When she develops a relationship with someone new, she will gain trust in them as well. Your baby still does not like to be away from you and is relieved when you come back for her. She will be able to show affection now by hugs and kisses.

Because your baby\'s memory is getting better, he remembers where things are and will go find them. He will continue to try to solve problems, but may become frustrated if he does not succeed after several attempts. If you tell him to do something, chances are he will. Remember to give him clear, simple and precise commands so that he will be able to easily understand what you are asking of him.

Mealtimes might become a challenge because your baby wants to move and explore. Encourage her to eat when the rest of the family eats. If she is not interested in eating, it is best not to force her. She will eat when she is hungry. When she is one year old, she will be ready for whole milk.

Teach your child about shapes, colors, sizes and differences. Provide a variety of toys, games and activities to promote learning. She still will like to read and sing. Now that she can move better, she might even like to dance to music.

Developmental Milestones 12 Months Old

Physical

Stands alone
Many babies start walking
Some babies walk well
She may try to climb
Tries to throw a ball
Can roll a ball
Fine motor skills developing rapidly

Intellectual

Has a delightful sense of humor
Can stack blocks to build a tower
Waves bye bye
Initiates games
Responds to commands
Continued vocabulary expansion
Enjoys reading
Ready to be weaned from infant milk and switch to whole milk
Eats a variety of foods
Enjoys being outside to explore

Emotional

Takes pleasure in teasing
Likes to express affection
Can hug and kiss
Develops bonds with others
Your baby may still be shy
Enjoys other children and begins to create friendships

Age Appropriate Toys

Outdoor toys
Push toys
Ride on toys
Pretend play toys
Musical instruments
Learning toys
Singing toys and lighted toys
Books
Balls
Dolls and stuffed animals
Blocks and stacking toys

Comments:

Comments 1-25 of about 513 for month 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next

nikkig07 - 4.9 hours ago
Wow, I can't believe the nerve some people have and the comments they make. I would never say anything to anyone regarding anything...unless they're causing harm to someone. Wow! I think it's best if they mind their own business! Cara- sorry Claire's sick...not fun! I hope she's better soon...and you get some sleep tonight with her in your bed. Man, whenever Zack's in bed with me (which, lately it's rare), I swear I think he takes up more room than I do! As much as I love cuddling with him, I can't stand being 'stuck' in one position with him all over me and I'm afraid to move so that I don't wake him up.

hillary929 - 5.5 hours ago
Awwww sorry to hear about Claire! I do the same thing when my kids are sick... put them in bed with me. :)

hillary929 - 5.5 hours ago
Whew...I had to really catch up this time. lol About the breast feeding, my son was lactose intolerant and could not be breastfed...and I did not try with Olivia because I had felt that Tyler was just fine on formula...I know I should have tried but I didn't. Everyone is different and every baby is different... I am with you all, do what is best for you and your baby! :) And that boobie bottle is too funny. Wow! LOL

claires-momma - 5.5 hours ago
Claire's running a fever :( I could tell she didn't feel well when she wanted me to rock her to sleep...that never happens. Right after she was done with her milk I felt her forehead & she was burning up. She's in my bed right now...I figure if she's sick enough to need to be rocked, she's sick enough to need to be in my bed. Hopefully it's just teeth causing her fever. She's so loopy right now though she was laying in my arms talking in her sleep

annas-momma - 7 hours ago
Molars suck. That is all I have to say.

claires-momma - 8.6 hours ago
And I got tons of rude comments about the fact that I was bottle feeding. It sure shut them up quick, though, when I would say 'She was lactose sensitive & could NOT be breastfed.' Still pissed me off though, for people to make me feel like I had to explain myself. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks those bottles are totally ridiculous!

annas-momma - 8.8 hours ago
Its a boobie bottle?! What. The. Hell. Eventually your child is going to have to adjust... like it or not!I got terrible comments for breastfeeding in public. Awful. Rude. Mean. Sometimes I just hate people. And why would people give a rats ass if you are pregnant again?! That one confuses me. Whoooooo cares?

amyeliz - 9.4 hours ago
LMAO! Those are the silliest looking bottles I have ever seen! I rather pull out my boob that be seen feeding my kid with one of those! More power to her if she can deal! So funny.

Ambrielles mommy - 10 hours ago
lol cara I laughed too :)

claires-momma - 10 hours ago
One of my friends is really big on 'natural, boob-shaped' bottles for when she has to make the transition for her baby when she goes back to work. Now...laugh at me all you want for thinking this is silly, but every time I see these bottles, it makes me laugh :) I can just imagine the type of looks I'd get giving my baby one of these in public! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3115198

Ambrielles mommy - 10.1 hours ago
cantankerous?? lol tabatha I have never seen that word in my entire life...sounds really mean lol!! haha!!

Tabatha - 10.4 hours ago
no doubt..they were both old cantankerous hags, so maybe thats why they said it. i totally didn't have a comeback for when it was said either..i know my face said alot. cara- congrats on passing that test! i get to take mine next month.

mary-m - 10.6 hours ago
tabatha-i'm sorry to hear that! its not a big deal to not breastfeed, i'm just glad that i could do it. no one should feel guilty for however they nourish their child..and no one should feel bad about being pregnant! i can't believe someone told you to get your tubes tied! what weirdos..thats no one's business but your own!

claires-momma - 10.6 hours ago
Aaahhh...I cannot believe the rude things people think of to say to a pregnant woman! I haven't gotten any really rude ones yet...99% of the time I get 'Wow. This one musta been a surprise, huh?' The dr's office just called & I passed my 3hr, thank goodness. The man-child is doing some serious aerobics this afternoon & they are hurting like hell.

Tabatha - 11 hours ago
Word, ladies!.. mary-m..thats awful they would tell call you disgusting for bfeeding your child..my mom feels that way too. she said tits were nasty and shouldn't be put in a baby's mouth lol!! maybe her tits are nasty. i swear, she's like the mother from 'carrie' at times. .. still, just people in general with their comments need to shut up. seriously..you wouldn't believe at the negative comments and looks i get from random people in regards to me being preg again..i've had two people that i didn't even know tell me i should prob get my tubes tied after this one..i guess they see me with gabe and think i'm just gonna keep poppin em out..Aholes.

nikkig07 - 11.2 hours ago
I'm in the same boat as all ya gals! I really enjoyed breastfeeding and was able to do it until Zack was 7 months. It was the hardest thing to learn, but I was really determined to do it. I don't know how I'm going to be able to juggle breastfeeding (when the next baby comes) and taking care of a toddler. I'd like to do as long, if not longer but if it doesn't happen, I guess I'm going to try to not be so concerned. The biggest reason I did it was b/c I have a very sensitive stomach...runs in my family. Zack did really well with breastmilk and when he had formula on occassion he'd seem to have more GI issues. Either way, as long as you have a happy baby and you're happy, that's all that matters!!!

Anesha - 12.2 hours ago
Hey ladies! With the next; I am not breastfeeding for a year. I breastfed Faith for a year and it was really hard work mainly b/c I had to pump 3X a day at work. If I was a stay at home mom I might reconsider. Might. I will nurse for the 8 to 12 weeks that I am home with my baby. With the next I also will worry less that he/she will turn out all right. I will have comebacks for rude pregnancy comments made by my co-workers. I will not choose an epidural next time either. I will ignore people who try to make me feel guilty for not breastfeeding #2 for the same amount of time. Well thats my 2 cents on the topic.

claires-momma - 12.4 hours ago
*With the next, I'll take each day one at a time and not worry about the small things* Perfectly said Nita!

annas-momma - 12.4 hours ago
I breastfed for 4 months. I dried up, and was upset at first. Once we decide to have another, I won't let it get to me as much if it happens again. It didn't help that I was a hormonal train wreck! But people kept making it sound like if I dried up and didn't breastfeed, then my child would end up chasing its tail all day or something crazy. I also wouldn't let OTHER people get to me when breastfeeding. I was always uncomfortable because I would 'hide'. Finally, that last month of desperately trying to breastfeed, I was like.... screw it. If you have a problem with it, then don't look. Its not like I was whipping my boob out for the world to see... but I no longer hid in bathroom stalls. With the next, I'll take each day one at a time and not worry about the small things. It took me a little while to learn that with Anna.

Ambrielles mommy - 14.1 hours ago
Wow you've got a real baby einstein on your hands lol! Thats great! I think it helps also bc there's proven research but formula has also come a long way. I'm not sure if anyone can actually tell whether a baby does this or that due to breastfeeding but its the satifaction knowing you have contributed to making your baby healthy, smart etc...I don't think any scientist could take two babies and say Opps well this one can't crawl b/c he wasn't bf but this one says bye bye b/c he was ya know? I know its a great thing to do and I'm sure it helps but to exactly what degree I'm not sure....Its like anything...you want the best for your kids but you can't always provide the very best...Its like you'd love prepare the very best nutrional meal for them everyday but its not always possible...I believe in BF but I'm like most of you NOT overly obsessed with it.

mary-m - 14.8 hours ago
i don't know for sure if its because he's breastfed, but my baby has been talking since 4 months. he first said 'hi'.. then would cry if i wasn't in the same room 'mama'. he has been speaking in small sentances since 9.5 months..things like 'i want that.' & 'whats that over there?'.. he started walking without holding onto things at 10.5 months. i do think breastmilk makes a difference, but i don't think that formula fed babies are doomed to be slower. i just think that it probably gives a little boost to what is already there. and i understand why people give up..it hurts at first and goes a lot slower..but the pain stops and things speed up. i think its great that so many of you have even tried. a lot of women won't do that much. my son's father's family would tell me i was disgusting for breastfeeding, which is a horrible thing to tell someone.. i don't think less of anyone who bottle feeds their children. my sisters couldn't nurse their babies..and they have beautiful & smart children.

1sttimearound - 15.3 hours ago
Cara- that sounds really cute about Claire. I wish Jayden would say something i could understand. She babbles on ALL DAY LONG but i have no idea what she is talking about. the cute part is that she stomps her foot at me when i act like i dont know what she wants.

1sttimearound - 15.4 hours ago
and the whole clothe diaper thing would be terrific except i can not keep my laundry caught up now.. i could not imagine what it would be like with diapers to wash also.. and newborns go through a TON of diapers.

1sttimearound - 15.5 hours ago
i'm all for breastfeeding but not for Healthy or Smarter reasons.. I dont think it matters one bit rather formula or breastmilk gets used.. Jayden was breastfed strictly for 6 months and she was sick alot. I did it more for the bonding and cheaper thing. I will defintley do it again if i have another only because i really enjoyed it.. I did not have any problems whatsoever except for Running out of milk.

claires-momma - 16.2 hours ago
I definitely won't stress out about the breastfeeding & let myself get depressed over it like I did with Claire. I for sure know this time around that if it doesn't work, it doesn't work & I need to move on to the next best thing, I just regret giving up so easily with Claire. I am with all of you though, that breast is not necessarily best. Formula has been wonderful for Claire & once I got over the disappointment of feeling like I was doing something wrong by not nursing her, I realized it was the best thing we could have done