Canada's Largest & Oldest Cord Blood Bank
Your every move is being closely watched, because toddlers learn from watching and imitating.
Milestones This Month
Most toddlers can
- Bend over and pick up objects
- Stand alone for a short time
- Use two works skillfully
Half of the toddlers can
- Drink from a cup
- Play “peekaboo”
- Enjoy looking at his/her reflection
A few toddlers can
- Roll a ball
- Combine words and gesture to communicate
- Try to lift heavy objects
Toddler Development at 13 Months
Most toddlers can pull up to a standing position and stand for a few minutes at 13 months. If your toddler is not walking yet, beware, he or she is just on the cusp of acquiring this skill. Soon you will have a whirlwind that explores every inch of your house or apartment.
Your toddler likely has mastered a couple of new words other than “mama” and “dada” now. He or she is also getting good at communicating – gesturing and grunting to indicate to you his or her needs and wants. Most 13-month-olds are also trying to make sense of cause and effect. For instance, he or she will try a sequence of events, like throwing his or her cup on the ground for you to pick up, over and over to see the results.
With your toddler’s pincer grip improving, so is he or her ability to pick up very small items. From now on, you will need to be extra cautious about small items on the ground like buttons, small toy parts or pills. Your toddler is always closer to the ground than you and his or her keen eyes will pick up small objects.
First Dentist Visit
It is important to introduce good oral hygiene to your child. Your toddler likely has a few baby teeth at this point, so try to schedule his or her first dentist appointment in the coming weeks. This is a chance for you to get some pointers on how to brush baby teeth well, to minimize cavities and to make sure there is a sufficient amount of fluoride in your toddler’s toothpaste.
The dentist will check your toddler’s teeth at this visit. However, the main goal of this first appointment is to get your little one used to the dentist’s office. He or she will get to sit in the hygienist’s chair, look at the cleaning tools and get a feel for the dental office. Some brave toddlers may allow the hygienist to use the cleaning brush.
Toddler Tip
Buy your toddler a good pair of shoes. Now that your toddler is walking or almost walking, why not encourage him or her with a new pair of shoes?
Supporting Your Toddler
Feeding
Toddlers should be getting approximately 1000 calories per day. However, it is going to be impossible to keep track of the calories your toddler consumes. Instead, try to incorporate all major food groups into your toddler’s meals and snacks (3 meals and 2-3 snacks at this stage). Some toddlers can be picky with textures and tastes, so your best bet is to try out a variety of different foods.
Cow milk can now be incorporated into your toddlers’ diet. Start with whole, full-fat milk, which is best for your child. Limit the intake to no more than 24 ounces of cow milk per day. If you are still breastfeeding, it is not absolutely necessary to introduce cow milk at this stage. Some moms choose to wean their toddlers following the first birthday others continue to breastfeed well into toddlerhood. Choose what is right for you and your toddler.
Sleep
Big developmental milestones are often associated with sleep regressions in children. Practicing newfound skills like walking or talking may keep your toddler active at night. Sticking to a calming bedtime routine and staying consistent is key to getting your toddler back into his or her routine.
At this stage, your toddler should be getting 11 to 14 hours of sleep. Approximately 11 of it should be at night with 1 to 2 daytime naps to make up the rest. Most toddlers will transition to a single daytime nap by 18 months.
