12-month-old baby: Feeding, sleeping and milestones by month

Congratulations! You’ve made it to your baby’s first year! Take a moment to admire all that they have accomplished in the past year and learn about all that they will accomplish in the future. This article will guide you through the new milestones your 12-month-old baby will reach and give you information on how his feeding and sleeping habits may change, his average weight, activities you can do together and many other.

Over the past few months, your baby has become very emotional and this month will be no different. They will continue to expand their mobility and increase their independence. Some new developmental milestones to track your 12-month reach include:¹

• Playing games, such as peek-a-boo and patty cake, with caregivers
• Understanding the word “no” and hesitating when told “no”
• Continuing to call, with certain solid words such as “mummy”, “daddy” or “daddy” (for bottle)
• Pulling up to stand
• Walking holding the furniture (aka cruising)
• Placing the toys in and pulling them out of the containers
• You are looking for games that you have hidden
• They are fed finger foods
• Drinking from a cup without a lid (with some help)

Now that your baby is 12 months old, he can switch from breast milk or formula to whole cow’s milk. If they are taking breast milk, you can continue as long as the supply lasts and your baby continues to want breast milk. They can also start the transition from a bottle to a glass. To make the transition smoother, offer cow’s milk, breast milk or water in a cup during meals instead of a bottle, and slowly reduce the number of bottles offered. Often the last bottles down are the ones before bed/bedtime.²

To ensure your baby is getting enough solid foods, limit cow’s milk intake to 16-24 ounces per day.² Some other foods to avoid include sugary or diet drinks, foods high in sodium, and unpasteurized dairy or juices. Also, avoid hot dogs, raw hard vegetables, hard cheeses, popcorn, nuts and grapes, as these are a choking hazard.² If you plan to give your baby juice, limit it to 4 ounces per day and make sure it’s 100% fruit juice.¹

Juice is not necessary for children. think of it more as a treat! The reason for limiting juice is because sugar is not usually necessary for their bodies and can be harmful to their teeth and oral health.¹¹ However, if your child is sick and has trouble feeling well enough to eat/drink, juices or other liquids containing sugar (such as an oral rehydration solution or ORS) it is advisable to keep them hydrated and keep their sugars normal .¹²

It can be daunting to think of meals for your 12-month-old, so here’s a sample menu to help give you some ideas for his feeding schedule:³

• ½ cup of iron-fortified baby cereal
• ½ cup whole milk, breast milk or water
• ½ banana or 2-3 pieces of fruit cut into small pieces

• ½ cup whole milk, breast milk or water
• 1 slice of bread with cream cheese or peanut butter
• ½ cup yogurt

• ½ cup cooked green vegetables
• ½ cup whole milk, breast milk or water
• 2-3 ounces of protein such as chicken, turkey or eggs

• 1-2 ounces of cheese
• 2-3 pieces of fruit
• ½ cup whole milk, breast milk or water

• 2-3 ounces of protein such as chicken, turkey, beef, beans, or eggs
• ½ cup cooked yellow or orange vegetable
• ½ cup of grains or starches such as rice, pasta or potatoes
• ½ cup whole milk, breast milk or water

Also, at this age, many babies still have a cup of whole milk or breast milk before bed.

Your 12 month sleep schedule will be pretty similar to previous months. They will need 11-14 hours of sleep per day, which includes one to two daytime naps.⁴ Some 12 month old babies will move to one nap a day and some will stay with two naps a day. it depends on your baby!⁵

You might have thought that sleep regression would be a thing of the past at this age, but unfortunately, some 12-month-olds will experience another bout of sleep regression. Sleep regression occurs when your baby has a change in their sleeping habits. They may experience increased bouts of fussiness at night or have difficulty falling asleep. Some of the more common causes of sleep apnea include:⁶

Fortunately, sleep regression doesn’t last forever. Sleep regression cycles usually last one to four weeks. Some ways to help your 12-month-old overcome his sleep regression include the following:⁶

• Know their sleep cues and tuck them into bed at the first sign of tiredness.
• Have a consistent bedtime and bedtime routine.
• Maintain a consistent daytime and sleep routine.
• Give them extra attention during the day and at bedtime to help with any separation anxiety.
• It’s okay to allow them to fuss for a few minutes in the middle of the night before you calm them down if that’s right for your family.
• Some parents will limit cuddling, rocking and night feeding, as these activities can encourage frequent waking in your 12-month-old baby.

In the last few months, you and your baby are on a predictable schedule that will remain relatively unchanged. The only significant change may come if your baby switches to one nap a day instead of two. If your baby has moved into a daytime nap, aim for a nap around 1pm or after lunch.⁵ Use a shortened version of the bedtime routine to help your little one prepare for their nap.⁵ Because of the shift to one nap a day, some 12-month-old babies will have longer wake windows than others.

At this age, it is still appropriate for your baby to go to bed between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Start your bedtime routine in plenty of time to ensure your little one is ready for sleep at their bedtime.⁵

This month, your baby will have their 12-month well-child check-up. It will include a brief physical examination, checking their weight and administering vaccinations. On average, a 12-month-old baby should have doubled their birth weight and grown about 10 inches.⁷ Your doctor will help you understand if your baby is growing properly and give you advice if he is behind in his development.

At this visit, your baby will also receive his scheduled 12-month vaccinations. These vaccines include:⁸

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis A
• Chickenpox, also known as the chickenpox vaccine
• Annual flu shot (if needed)

Although your baby will have a scheduled well-child checkup at 12 months, his doctor may need to see him if he develops any of the following symptoms:⁹

• Decreased appetite for more than a few days
• Increased sleepiness, difficulty waking up, or crying more than usual
• A temperature greater than 105 F or lasting more than three days
• Diarrhea lasting more than a week or vomiting lasting more than a day
• Signs of dehydration such as decreased tears, dry/chapped lips and decreased amount of wet nappies
• Constipation
• Difficulty breathing, cold symptoms lasting 10 days or more, or cough lasting more than two weeks
• Unexplained rash or rash with fever

Your baby becomes even more expressive and interactive as they reach their first birthday and their engagement is so much fun! Some easy activities to do with 12-month-olds include:¹

• Reading them books, especially the ones with flaps
• Tell them what actions you are taking
• Singing them
• Respond to all their chatter, even if you don’t know what they’re saying
• Stacking blocks with them, building the tallest tower and watching them knock it down
• Encourage their love of music by giving them drums, cymbals or other noisy

Ensuring that your home is a safe environment for your baby is vital. As they become more mobile, they will start getting into things they shouldn’t. Follow these safety tips to protect baby from harm:¹⁰

• Keep all household cleaners and medications out of reach (call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 if accidental ingestion occurs).
• Place or remove any furniture with sharp corners.
• Place gates on all stairs.
• Keep your water heater at a temperature no higher than 120 F to avoid accidental burns.
• Remove all water from the tub after use and never leave your little one unattended in the tub.
• If guns are in the home, make sure they are secured in a gun safe and unloaded at all times.
• Use a rear-facing car seat that is properly secured in the back seat.

It may seem like the first year of your baby’s life flew by, but it was also filled with huge amounts of growth for both you and your baby! Each new stage of their development is incredible to watch, and many more delightful stages are yet to come.