Your baby, 17 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

Toddlers at this age are learning about expressions and feelings. More than likely, you have seen your toddler happy, sad, mad, frustrated and everything in between. Children will learn about their feelings best if you put a name with the feeling. If you notice that your child is sad, tell him that you are sorry he is feeling sad. Your child will soon learn that feelings have names and you understand how he is feeling. Help your child deal with and accept his feelings. If he is frustrated, help him. He will learn that you care about his feelings and that it is okay to show how he feels.

Children at this age are very curious about the world they live in. Keep your child's environment safe and help her to learn what is appropriate and what is not. Most seventeen month old toddlers love to put things in their mouths. This can be very dangerous and you must teach your child that is is not safe.

Children at this age can become spoiled. Parents can spoil their children if they do not set and enforce limits and rules. When limits are set and enforced, children learn that there are rules to follow and generally will succeed at following them. Your job as a parent is to set realistic expectations that can be enforced.

Your child likes to drag things around and can climb stairs at this point. She still has long babbling conversations with herself. Your child will understand more of what you say than she can actually say. If you ask her to do a simple task, she probably will. Continue to encourage her vocabulary by using clear descriptive words and reading to her.

Toddlers need discipline. Catch your child being good and praise him. Instead of telling your child what he shouldn't be doing, tell him what he should do. Often times, spanking teaches children that hitting is okay and a way to solve problems. Do not threaten your child with empty threats or promises. Do what you say or your child will learn that he does not have to listen.

Developmental Milestones - 17 Months Old

Physical

• Can walk upstairs if one hand is held
• Runs, but bumps into things
• Likes to drag items around
• Enjoys dancing

Intellectual

• Understands more than he can say
• Imitates sounds and actions
• Will do what you tell her to do
• Has babbling conversations

Emotional

• Self-centered
• Greedy and selfish
• Stubborn
• Bossy
• Likes to hug and kiss

Age Appropriate Toys

• Nesting toys
• Stacking toys
• Shape sorters
• Art and crafts
• Push toys
• Ride on toys
• Balls
• Books
• Musical instruments
• Dolls
• Cars and trucks
• Bean bag toss game

Comments:

Comments 51-75 of about 8293 for month 17
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scarlet begonia - Friday, 22 Jul
luv - I am not on that site, but I would recommend reading 'The Hunger Games'. It's one of my favorites. I have a lot of favorites, but that one I recently read. :)

scarlet begonia - Friday, 22 Jul
lill - I haven't seen the doll, but really, that is an AWESOME idea. We have dolls that poop, pee, sit on potties and there are even toys for little girls (although I suppose boys can use them too) like vacuums, kitchens and brooms. So it's ok to teach a girl where her place is in the world, but not ok to teach her how to properly and healthily nurish her baby? I know I'm going into extremes here, but really, that is what these messages are sending. Aly loves to pretend clean when she see's me doing it and I think it's cute, but I'm not so keen on the idea of buying her brooms, vacuums and kitchens just because she's a girl. I know that's sort of a different topic but I think the 2 overlap. It's a very ironic society we live in and I'm not always in agreement with the status quo social faux pa's.

***Warning Disclaimer*** Not trying to offend anyone, but *most* of the people I talk to about nursing who find it disgusting, don't usually come to that conclusion through logical thinking. It's usually 'just how they feel'. Which doesn't make sense to me. When you put it down on paper, it makes all the sense in the world to support breastfeeding and when people get turned off by it, it seems to only be because of their own hang ups. BUT... it's hard to get them to see things that way. And of course, they're not using logic but their emotions to figure out where they stand on the subject. It's a real shame. I don't quite understand it, but then again, I have a very logical way of thinking and sometimes it can get me into trouble! hah!

Now, I want to see this doll! :)

Luv2Bamama - Friday, 22 Jul
On a lighter note; are any of you on GoodReads.com? I'm looking for more people to 'friend' so I can get more book ideas for reading material!

Luv2Bamama - Friday, 22 Jul
Lil-I don’t get the outrage over the doll either. Apparently this is a popular toy in Spain. Why not? Hey, if we could get our kids more educated on the subject form an early age, maybe in the future people won’t be so close-minded on the issue.

lillhill79 - Friday, 22 Jul
Ok, I have a question. Yesterday on the local news there was a story about how outraged parents are about a new doll that is out on the market. Basically if the little girl wears this apron type thing, when the baby doll is faced inwards towards the little girl it will make a sucking noise like it's nursing. According to the news (not a small town, I live in Kansas City) 82% of parents find this toy 'disgusting' Really? I nursed both of my girls for a year and when I was BFing Cortlyn, my older DD would pull her shirt up and pretend to nurse her baby as well. I personally didn't see anything wrong with that. So my question to you is, if they make baby dolls that drink from a bottle and poop, why is a nursing baby disgusting? Sorry if anyone finds this offensive (not my intent at all) I just wonder if it's me or if I'm missing something.

lillhill79 - Friday, 22 Jul
Luv - I think the only way to find peace in a situation like that is to think of it like this...if a parent is willing to take the life of his child, then it says a lot about what kind of parent he was before doing this horrible crime. His wife and children may have suffered for years at his hand, so we can only hope now that they are at peace and have escaped the torture they were forced to live every day here on earth.

scarlet begonia - Thursday, 21 Jul
Luv - I know exactly how you feel. I feeo so bad for all the little children out there with terrible parents. I feel so lucky to have Aly, but she's also very lucky to have us as parents (same for your LO too). I just cannot begin to imagine Aly have diff. parents who treated her terribly. It breaks my heart to think about it. Stories like those are hard to hear about AND hard to understand. No matter what this guy has coming to him it won't be enough!

Luv2Bamama - Thursday, 21 Jul
Becoming a mother has made me much more sensitive to news stories, and much less tolerant of people who don’t view parenthood as the wonderful gift it really is. I try to stay away from all news stories about crimes against children (Casey Anthony anyone??), but not this week. In our small little town, walking distance from my house, a father stabbed his wife and four young children (ages 7 to 2) before setting the house on fire with all of them inside. He is the only survivor. I can’t seem to wrap my head around this kind of crime, and to know I’ve walked past this neighborhood countless times on my way to the library, it just hit too close. I keep trying not to think about it, but I’m so overwhelmed by the unfairness of this crime! I’m horrified, saddened and so angry! I keep praying that the Lord will give me peace, but I’m having a hard time with this one. Sorry to bring you down, but as many of you mentioned, sometimes we need a place to vent. I’ve just been snuggling extra with my little one lately, thanking God for letting me raise her.

beebee16 - Wednesday, 20 Jul
Scarlet - Aly sounds like such a clever little girl. Caitlin often stands at the door & when asked why shes there she always replies 'car'. When I ask why she wants to go in the car she says 'ball pool'. We always take her to the nearest indoor play centre in the car.

beebee16 - Wednesday, 20 Jul
Well we have improvement with Caitlin's sleeping, she still goes to bed between 6.30 & 7pm straight after having a bath. And the last three mornings I have had what I consider to be a lie in, 6.45 Tuesday 6.15 Wednesday & 6.30 today. Getting her out of the early rising habit was hard work, but looks like it has done the trick. Being tough with her was so hard but needed to be done, if she does wake earlier she'll sit and play quietly with the toys in her room. She's also started to have a 1 1/2-2 hour nap after lunch which is great because I can do the same so am not completely exhausted anymore!!

scarlet begonia - Wednesday, 20 Jul
I asked Aly this evening if she wanted to go to the lake this weekend and she said 'water?' HAH! Such a smartie pants. :)

scarlet begonia - Wednesday, 20 Jul
Interesting thing happened last night. My hubby works late most nights. Every other wed (in this case it was tues) his company has 'team night'. Since he is in a leadership type role, he's required to be there. But it's not until after work, even though they cut out early just for these events. Anywhooo... every once in a while I'll meet him there to get a little extra time together. Well he works about 45 min away from home and the drive there is down a very steep hill which is dangerous at night and usually really windy. Not the safest trip. So, I decided I would meet him there last night. I put Aly down at her usual 8pm and started getting ready to leave by 8:30. A few minutes after I left her room she started crying. Which isn't like her. I gave her a few minutes until I started hearing 'owie'. So I went in. She pointed to her head and said owie when I asked her what was hurting but nothing was there. I know she's teething so I thought maybe that was it. I gave her half a dose of tylenol and rocked her for a few minutes and she was fine. I put her back down and left and again, within a few minutes it was back to crying. Only this time she kept calling me, but I've never heard her this desperate before. I caved in and went to her and she stopped crying as soon as she saw me and fell asleep while I rocked her. After about 10 min. I put her down and it happened again!! Calling me over and over and over again then finally went to sleep. This was so not like her and even my mom commented on how she sounded. Within a few minutes she was passed out. I checked on her and all was fine, but geez. I'm not usually very supersticous but I took this as a sign and stayed home last night. I was sure Aly was fine and would sleep through the night, but something kept waking her up to call for me so desperately. W.E.I.R.D.!!! Or maybe it's all in my head! lol

scarlet begonia - Wednesday, 20 Jul
Luv2B - I totally get being strict about food to an extent. There are certain foods that are completely off limits for Aly right now. Other things, I personally just feel that the more I prohibit them, the more attractive they may become at some point for her. I'm not sure if my way is the 'right' way, but it's right for us. I have a lot of respect for what you do and high praise for keeping it at it. I know it's not easy!!

Karen - I delete many posts (before posting them) for that same reason! hah. Sometimes, just typing it out is theraputic without having to have it all out there. :)

Jenn - I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time with Evan. No fun! :( I think it's just his age. I also think that most (if not all) kids that have good parents and a solid family foundation do not grow up to be little terrors. BUT... you've raised this concern a few times now and I think maybe it's time to discuss it with his pedi? That's what I would do. Aly doesn't get too bad (yet?). A stern 'no' and sometimes taking some of her toys away usually does the trick with her. Not to say she won't misbehave again, but I think consistency is the key. Another thing to consider is what is he getting away with in day care? Maybe that's where the inconsistency is? Just a thought. I hope you find some peace of mind soon! *hugs*

gretch - Aly does the slapping thing too. Not to the extent that Rory does, but she plays rough for attention. Ignoring it works well with Aly. If I am holding her while she does it. I just put her down and pay no attention to her. When she starts whinning and crying I give her a few moments and finally give her attention again but I tell her what she did was wrong, is a no-no, etc. Eventually after several times of doing that I just warn her that I will put her down and not play with her anymore if she keeps it up and she stops right away. She seems to understand reprocussions very well if I tell her what will happen. As for jammies, Aly wears PJ shirts/tanks and PJ shorts/pants. Depending on the temp. Onsies make it difficult for a quick trip to the potty if she asks to be taken to it. So do the footsie jammies. In her crib she has a reg. sized temp. pillow, a stuffed woody pillow, buzz pillow, a few small stuffed animals and sometimes she'll grab her lady bug star light from her bookcase and take it into her crib. It's battery operated so no cords are near her, and of course, her quilt. She cannot sleep without any of these items.

lillhill79 - Wednesday, 20 Jul
Karen that's too funny. Consider yourself lucky that the diaper was still on, could have been a totally different experience this morning :0

lillhill79 - Tuesday, 19 Jul
Karen - personally I'd wait till he can climb in and out by himself, but that's just me. Especially since he's not trying to climb out of his crib yet. I may totally regret this decision but hopefully if I do, everyone else can benefit :)

lillhill79 - Tuesday, 19 Jul
Karen - we're moving forward with the toddler bed for a couple of reasons. First Cort loves to climb into her sister's bed in the evening for book time, so that makes me think she's ready in that aspect. And I guess more importantly because of my job, in my head it's better to transition them younger than older. Don't get me wrong, once she figures out she can not only crawl in, but also out, we're probably going to have a few rough nights. But I'm fully prepared to be mean mommy for a while and make her work it out herself in her bedroom. I know this sounds mean, but with older DD, she'd get out of bed and cry and cry at the closed door, and some nights she even slept on the floor, but within about a week she figured it out and has loved her bed ever since (older DD was even younger than Cort is now) I personally feel that if they get used to having the freedom now, while it may be hard, it's one of those less dramatic younger than older situations. Does that make sense? Plus I want this transition done and old news before starting the next phase - potty training in the next 3-4 months or so.

lillhill79 - Tuesday, 19 Jul
gretch - Cort sleeps in either a onsie or feety jammies, depending on the temp. Right now it's so dang hot it's just a onsie. She's had a pillow since about 10 months (full sized pillow) and she also has her blankie and her stuffed elephant and a sippy of water only. This weekend we're transitioning her crib to a day bed. Wish us luck.

gretch - Tuesday, 19 Jul
Also, other Mom's, what do you put your kids to sleep in clothing wise? What is in your childs bed? What's the deal on pillows? Rory sleeps in PJ's with feet. I put a couple of blankets on him (generally fall off him during sleep), no pillow and he is in his crib on the lowest setting. He sleeps like champ unless teething or his loses his pacifier. The pacifier battle will be the next one but I am not ready.

gretch - Tuesday, 19 Jul
Rory is in a major slapping stage. He gets mad or frustrated and slaps. He does it to provoke interaction. I have noticed if I grab his hands ans say no slapping firmly and sternly --it has no effect what so ever other than start a run around the house where he hits and bangs things while looking at me or my husband as if to say 'Game on'. So now I do two things - either get up, turn my back and ignore him after the slap (he cries) or view the slap as a very unspohisticated effort to play and just play with him. I am at a loss. Rory would not understand a time out. It would be a chase game and the little boy would like to chase and be chased all day. That and wrestle. This is a very challenging stage for me. I also stopped play 'High Five' with him since that is slapping....ug.

jenn-in-socal - Monday, 18 Jul
I'm so sorry, I don't have time to read and catch up.. I promise I will, but I need help! Evan is so hard to discipline! He's not a bad baby.. but when he does throw a fit, or do something naughty after being told no, he thinks his time-out corner is a big joke. He smiles the whole time and it doesn't phase him a bit! Not only that, but sometimes when he's playing and not in trouble at all, he'll just yell 'time out!' and skip over to the corner and giggle as he puts HIMSELF in time-out. Since day one, I've been terrified of raising a little terror who has no fear.. I was so worried he'd be one of those kids who just won't listen... is it just the age? I don't want to lose control so early.. he needs to at least be 15 before that happens, lol! ;) Any suggestions.. ?

beebee16 - Saturday, 16 Jul
I think I may have had 5 lay ins on a weekend since caitlin was born, my oh is always 'I was JUST gonna get up with her'. Yeah right!! Sometimes it's easier for me to just do it anyway because I can cope with just 5 hours sleep a night where as oh has to have at least 8 otherwise he is so cranky. And getting up is easier than dealing with his crankiness!!

beebee16 - Saturday, 16 Jul
I've come to the conclusion that Caitlin's early rising IS just down to habit. She woke at 5.10 this morning, after putting her back in her bed about 5 times this morning with the very minimal conversation (it's not time to get up yet babe) she settled down and played until 6.38. So I managed to get my head down a bit longer. Here's hoping a few more mornings of this and the habit will be broken, and she will either sleep longer or learn to play in her room until I say it's time to get up.

lillhill79 - Thursday, 14 Jul
Yeah Caitlin. 5:45 is much more reasonable - hope it continues!

beebee16 - Thursday, 14 Jul
So I was all prepared to deal with Caitlin at 3 or 4 o'clock this morning.......and didn't hear a peep out of her til 5.45, much more reasonable!! Thanks Caitlin, do it again tomorrow please!! X

beebee16 - Wednesday, 13 Jul
Still no change with Caitlin's early morning waking :0(. She woke at 4.15 today, she screams like mad but as soon as I go in to her she stops & starts chatting to me. So I'm beginning to think it's more a mix of attention & habit (which my boyfriend pointed out was MY fault for letting her get like it!!) than nightmares or night terrors. I put her to bed a little bit later tonight (7.15) after half an hours quiet time. I am going to get myself to bed in a minute (it's 8pm) so I can prepare for an early morning of repeatedly putting Caitlin back into bed until she realises it's not time to get up. It's gonna be a hard few days, wish me luck!! Xx

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