Your baby, 15 months 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 and older

Your toddler is really curious about the world around her! Encourage your child to explore her world. There is so much for her to see, hear, touch, taste, build, knock over, climb on and manipulate. Your quiet baby has become full of energy and she needs you to step up the pace, too. She is probably constantly in the go-crawling, walking and scooting. It can be tiring, but think of all she is learning. Putting your child into a playpen limits opportunities for active learning and it should only be done when necessary.

Parents generally discipline their children in one of two ways: Power control or reasoning control. If you use power control, you take privileges away, use corporal punishment, withholding affection and use force to control your child's behaviors. Parents that use reasoning control usually explain in age appropriate terms why their child should behave a certain way. They choose not to use physical punishments, but instead point out why the child's actions could harm others. Reasoning control generally makes children understand why what they did was wrong and children are usually more likely to cooperate.

Your child probably likes to climb and climb alone. He does not think he needs any help. He can climb up stairs, onto chairs and tables, and he can also climb out of his crib or playpen. He can walk well and may be able to run a little. Your little one can follow simple commands, tell you what they want some of the time and can point to familiar items in a book. Your child is learning about textures, but probably does not like anything sticky.

Your child has become an expert att putting things in her mouth. The bad news is that she often puts objects in her mouth that don't belong there. The good news is that she is continuing to get better at feeding herself. Mealtimes are smoother and she enjoys eating with the family. There is no reason to buy separate foods-she can eat what you eat!

Because you have encountered the accident years, take every opportunity to make your child's environment as safe as possible. Young children don't know how to protect themselves, so it is your job do make sure she is safe.

• Protect your child from falls with stairway gates and window guards.
• Don't leave chairs near open windows or cabinets.
• Cover electrical outlets.
• Keep you child away from hot stoves and heaters.
• Avoid scalds by turning the water heater down to 120 to 130°F. (50-55°C)
• Lock doors that lead to dangerous areas.
• Keep dangerous substances locked up or safety capped.

Developmental Milestones - 15 Months Old

Physical

• Walks well
• Tries to run
• Climbs out of cribs/highchairs
• Climbs up stairs with help
• Enjoys dancing
• Can throw a small ball-still may be crooked

Intellectual

• Can point to body parts
• Can point to simple, familiar objects
• May say 4-5 words
• Can follow simple commands
• May be able to ask for things

Emotional

• Likes attention
• Does not like to compromise
• Recognizes himself in mirrors or pictures
• Recognizes familiar faces in pictures
• Does not like to play alone

Age Appropriate Toys

• Ride on toys
• Musical instruments
• Books
• Balls
• Dolls
• Large cars and trucks
• Shape sorters
• Fake foods
• Doctor`s kits
• Climbing structures
• Block

Comments:

Comments 1-25 of about 6484 for month 15
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Kaibear - 2.1 hours ago
i took isabelle in for her 15 month check up yesterday and there was a new dr there who was filling in for our regular one...well, i wasn't very impressed. she didn't weigh her, or measure her, or check her over at all. in fact she even forgot to give her the shot, i had to remind her, and she grabbed it so quick out of the fridge i'm now paranoid she gave her the wrong one. she must have been fresh out of med school, she was younger than me! so i have no idea how much iz weighs or how tall she is and if she's still on track. very frustrating!

SarahTook4YearsFord - 3.1 hours ago
Rosye, thank you SO much! I am really grateful for your good advice and reassurance. I love the breast pump suggestion! I have this feeling that Little John's going to be clingy sometimes.

rosye13 - 5.9 hours ago
Oh and one more thing. If you're not going to supplement with any formula, make sure you pump some and set it aside so that on days that your older child seems to really need some Mommy time, you can have someone else do the feeding for a little while and spend some quality time with your toddler. I think that helps reduce jealousy because they know that if they truly need you, you'll be there.

rosye13 - 6.4 hours ago
sarahtook4years - I am breastfeeding a little one with a toddler. And honestly, it wasn't too bad. Gracie was 12 months when I brought Gabi home. I would just put up the gate and while I was feeding I would sing to her, make silly faces, catch her with my legs if she tried to walk by. Just remember to keep it fun. And one thing that we did that made a huge difference is we never made a big deal about Gabi. We didn't have a big introduction, we just acted like it was no big deal. And Gracie seemed to take our lead with that and has been the same way (although some of that may just be personality based). She points and says sissy, and wants to kiss her sometimes but otherwise she just does her thing. Anyway, currently when I am breastfeeding, Gracie will sometimes bring me a book and I will have to figure out how to feed one handed and flip pages one handed (I'm getting pretty good), lol, but it seems like as long as I put in the effort she's okay with it most of the time. We have a fit here or there but nothing huge.

SarahTook4YearsFord - 7.2 hours ago
P.S. He has a BUNCH of molars coming in at once! I've noticed that my typically good sleeper is not so much of one in the past week. That explains it, I think. Poor fella.

SarahTook4YearsFord - 7.2 hours ago
Well, my Little John had his 15 months appointment yesterday. I tell ya, he has become VERY anxious about doctor visits! He's fine until you lay him on the paper table, then he goes BALLISTIC. He starts crying really hard and reaches up to cling to me (which, I feel guilty saying this, makes me feel a little good because he's showing that he loves and needs me, but mostly, it makes me feel so sad for him). He seems to feel violated by everything--he makes noise when she puts the stethoscope to his chest and back, he looks away when she tries to shine the light into his eyes, and he screams like a madman when she puts the otoscope to his ear. It was a good appointment as far as his results. At his one year, the doctor sounded very concerned about his growth--his weight was in the 10th percentile and his height was in the 5th. He'd been born rather big and tall. We didn't like the tone of concern she had. We basically doubled his food intake and switched him from breastmilk and formula to whole milk. Yesterday, his weight had gone up to the 30th percentile and his height to the 50th! I'm so relieved! I had been concerned that he had a growth hormone issue, so I could let that go. He's looking so tall lately. His eczema is flaring up now. The ped. said that it's because his immune system is maturing and therefore reacting to things more. Mixed blessing there. I want his immune system to be stronger, but it's hard to take things out of his diet now to test for reactions--he eats such a variety of foods now. She was really impressed with his verbal skills--his new word is 'banana' (he pronounces it ''ANANA!' and always has to say it really loudly). She cracked UP when he said it, and told me it's pretty good that he's saying polysyllabic words. That felt nice. He got 4 shots, including H1N1, so now we're on the road away from my need to isolate him from the world. I don't want there to be any issue with him being able to visit me in the hospital in February after Hayley is born. I want him to meet his sister right away AND I'll be going crazy if I can't see him for three days! So Snuggles, I was relieved that they didn't do the blood draw. I keep thinking about poor little Gavin (and you!) having to endure that. His doctor gave me a long speech with good advice about caring for a toddler, especially once there is a new baby in the house. I am getting a bit nervous about that. No one sugar coats it for me--they all say that they wanted to tear their hair out sometimes. She said to come up with a good game plan beforehand regarding breastfeeding Hayley because Little John is going to act out to get attention. She said that she stopped breastfeeding her 2nd one early because of that, and she had been so committed to it. So I'll have to make a plan. She did say, and I want to pass this on to you guys, to make sure that anyone visiting the house (or at any house you visit) puts their purse WAY UP out of the toddler's reach. She's seen more cases where they find Grandma's heart medicine and the cap wasn't screwed on right, and the child ended up in the hospital on a heart machine. People carry guns, knives, cosmetics, all kinds of things that could be dangerous, so I'm going to heed that advice! She also said that smell is not a deterrent to them ingesting harmful substances, so don't count on the smell of bleach or gasoline to stop them from drinking them because they WILL. And there ya have it, folks, Little John's 15 months appointment. He'll have his sister for her newborn checkup along with him at his 18 months! I hope he get his second H1N1 shot next month, though.

momentfrozenintime - 10 hours ago
Well, I think with Colin's sleeping problem, I think it was half separation anxiety, half teething. I think he knew that he could get in our bed if he cried, but now I think he realizes it's not that easy anymore.

rosye13 - 10.7 hours ago
Oh, and we definitely use the fan trick in Gracie's room. She also tends to wake up to any little noise. So we started using a fan in her room (faced away from her) and she sleeps like an angel. It just drowns out everything else.

rosye13 - 10.7 hours ago
I just wanted to tell all the ladies who were talking about their little ones not wanting their Daddies, that Gracie is right there with them. Maybe it's an age thing?

mdbabyno1 - 10.8 hours ago
For sleeping you can always try a fan or a humidifier for the constant noise. It's like the white noise and Adi sleeps well for naps if I turn it on, although it is getting cold now so a fan isn't going to work much longer.

Amelie1020 - 11.4 hours ago
Congratulation on the pregnancy, Singing! Hitting subject - Amelie used to hit, but we got her out of it. When she used to hit, my face would get insanely strict and I would say as firm as I can 'No hitting'. That would shock her because I am always smiling at her...then, I take her hand and simulate 'gentle' and say it to her over and over again. When she does it on her own, I praise her a lot. Also, I started asking her to show me 'gentle' when she is not aggressive, just to keep at it. Now, she stopped hitting us but once in a while out of sheer frustration at something, she will hit the wall. I am ok with that, it's hard for them. I don't believe in slapping the hand because I think they copy everything we do and it confuses the message, but that is just me. Sleeping: Amelie sleeps from 8:30-8:30. One nap during the day. It's perfect for us and I am scared to jinx it.But maybe it's a reward, because she was not a good sleeper at all for the whole 12 months.:)

momentfrozenintime - 12.6 hours ago
Yeahh I thought that since I have done 'mini-brags' on Colin all week that I could have big bragging sessions yesterday about him sleeping so well, but then last night he cried a lot. I let him cry, though, but I hate even hearing him cry. I think it's because I told him last night right before he went to sleep that I missed him and if he wants to sleep with me tonight, I will take him because I want to cuddle. haha I gotta watch what I say..

Snugglebug - 15.8 hours ago
Moment, Gavin used to sleep through a lot of noise, but not anymore! I have to be careful if I even try to load or unload the dishwasher while he's sleeping. The tiniest clink of a dish has caused him to wake up. It's strange. He can sleep through some loud noises, if they're right there in the same room with him, but not if they come from another room. Lucky me, he was wide awake at 5am, thanks to dh. :-/ He slept pretty well for a while, but I think he may be working on getting more teeth in. UGH!! It seems like his fingers are constantly in his mouth, with drool dripping down and off his wrist. lol

mdbabyno1 - Thursday, 19 Nov
My house can get super messy too. Then it drives me insane and I go on a major cleaning spree. It's usually just messy with toys or a laundry pile. Germs freak me out :) so I always have things clean though. I actually just started a new routine because I needed to get it under control. One day I clean the bathroom, every other day wash the floor, laundry twice a week... each on a given day. It has helped me SOOO much. I just need to get my craft things off the dining room table now. Maybe I will tackle that one tomorrow.

~-~Kristy~-~ - Thursday, 19 Nov
SO this is my new name. Apparently my password was deleted for my old account and since it was erased I figured I might as well start from scratch anyhow... :( I am sad that my birth story is gone but I do have another one saved that I could probably cut and paste. Thank goodness I wrote another one or I would be quite sad. Also all the days I have been a memeber are erased too. Stupid I know but still. Grace is being so Grumpy in these last few days. I don't know if she is not feeling well or what. She is due for her second H1N1 shot tomorrow and I don't know if I should given her grumpy state and how horrible it made me feel when I got it. Moment I am so happy for you that Colin is sleeping at night (knock on wood) I am on night 4 of about 2 hours a night and I am starting to go loopy. Last night she just wouldn't settle. It flipped and flopped and kicked for 3 hours (refusing to sleep in her own crib which she usually does till about 12). Wish me luck tonight. I think I am going to need it! Snuggle my house isn't clean and thats with my Mom helping me at times. I have a mountain of laundry I am determined to tackle tomorrow and maybe sort through Graces clothes. So don't feel too bad. Chases mom I don't know how you manage to keep your house and car so clean. It makes me so jealous LOL. Sometimes my house is so messy I don't want anyone to come over LOL.

chases mom - Thursday, 19 Nov
moment it didnt start with chase until a couple of weeks ago hubby had to work a lot of overtime and didnt really see Chase for like 2 weeks so then Chase decide to get more attached to me. and also my sis and my dad were here alot during that time so he prefers them to so all i can tell hubby is to stop working so much !!!

momentfrozenintime - Thursday, 19 Nov
chases - Colin does the same thing. My boyfriend (his dad) misses him so much during the day and wants to hold Colin and play with him when he gets home from work, but Colin feels held down or something. When Colin first sees him, he will immediately laugh and put his arms out for him, but then once his dad gets him, he wiggles and whines. I don't know whats up with it...

chases mom - Thursday, 19 Nov
oh and Chase is good about playing by himself in his room so thats how i keep the house kind of clean. but i try to do bathrooms and chemical cleaning when he is napping.

chases mom - Thursday, 19 Nov
Chase has been sleeping 7-7 for a long time now in his own bed. he also takes 2 naps a day for about an hour a piece. but for some reason he does not like to sleep at his baby sitters. he has also gotten to where he wants me or my sister or my dad and thats it. When dh picks him up he cries. DH went to get him out of bed when he woke this morning and he creid until he handed Chase to me then he immediately stopped. dh keeps saying my own son hates me. but Chase used to not want me and wanted DH all the time so the tables have turned.

momentfrozenintime - Thursday, 19 Nov
snuggle - Are you sure all the noise would wake him up? It's good to run a lot of noise while they sleep so they are used to it and don't wake up (although that time may have passed haha). You should try if you haven't yet and see if it actually does wake him up. You may be surprised!

momentfrozenintime - Thursday, 19 Nov
I can't believe how much some of your LO's sleep! Geez! I am still going to brag because Colin has slept the past FOUR nights in a row without waking up in the middle of the night crying!! He sleeps about 8-7 or 730 (lately he is sleeping until 745 or 8! In his own crib!). He is so much happier when he sleeps in his own crib all night for so long! He wakes up earlier if he is sleeping with us.

Parkersmommy1 - Thursday, 19 Nov
The earlier bedtime worked to get Parker to sleep in later. He was going to bed at 8, waking at 5, 530 at the latest. Now, he goes to bed at 7, sometimes

Parkersmommy1 - Thursday, 19 Nov
The earlier bedtime worked to get Parker to sleep in later. He was going to bed at 8, waking at 5, 530 at the latest. Now, he goes to bed at 7, sometimes 630, and wakes up at 6-630. He sometimes still wakes in the night, usually at 5, but i just tell him its still night night and he goes back to sleep no problem. During the week he has one nap a day, from 10 up until one, at the sitters. On the weekends when he's home with us, I think he gets too excited about seeing us, and will only nap for an hour at a time, but then he will take 2 naps.

rosye13 - Thursday, 19 Nov
snugglebug - I don't get anything done anymore. Our house is a mess. I think one day we will just decide to move because it's too much to clean up :P But seriously, it's been awful lately. Gracie is going through an attachment thing with me lately where she wants me to be holding her from the time I walk in the door until bedtime and if I don't she'll scream. And since I work all day, I don't really blame her. She needs her Mommy sometimes. Anyway, so between her and trying to breastfeed Gabi, and work . . . thank God my husband is great with housework!

Snugglebug - Thursday, 19 Nov
I try not to use harsh chemicals. I use vinegar to clean a lot of things, but there are some things that require something stronger, ya know? I think I'm just stressing too much. I just found out we have company coming this weekend, as well as having a dinner scheduled with a couple from church, AND I have the Thanksgiving dinner (Sunday) that I have to cook and bake for ahead of time. And dh has volunteered to go help paint a lady's house, again, WHILE our company is here. It's my brother and nephew (and their girlfriends) that are coming to visit. I really don't want to leave them just sitting here while we have all these other things to do. :( I really don't know how I'm going to keep up with it all. I've got enough to do with cooking/baking for the dinner, much less trying to cook for four more people and entertain them WHILE I'm trying to do all that. GAH! Calgon, TAKE ME AWAY! I'm so excited to see them, but what a bad weekend to choose to visit. :(

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