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

Now that your baby is 13 months old, he is entering a new stage of life: the toddler stage. Throughout toddlerhood, your 13-month-old will continue to reach new milestones, have an ever-changing appetite, and have longer windows of wakefulness. They will amaze you with all their new skills, so buckle up and get ready for a thrill ride! Let’s dive into your 13-month-old baby’s sleep and feeding schedule, activities you can do together, and more.

At 13 months old, your baby is now in the toddler stage, which brings new milestones. Their curiosity will take off and they will become more social, wanting to interact with those around them — but mostly with people they already know, because stranger danger can also be at a higher level!¹² Some new milestones expected now or in the coming months include:¹

• Alone without support
• Taking a few steps without help
• To carry small objects in their hands
• Pushing or pulling objects such as boxes
• Throwing toys from a container
• Showing something to tell you they want it
• Turning the pages of a book while reading
• Holding a spoon during meals but struggling to put the spoon in their mouth
• Stacking two or more objects on top of each other
• Recognizing themselves in the mirror and shaking themselves
• Imitation of others
• Following one-step instructions such as “Put this ball in the bin”

As your baby grows and develops, his appetite will also change. In terms of his feeding schedule, your 13-month-old baby will eat three meals a day and have two to three snacks.¹¹ Their meals will match the rest of the family’s mealtimes.

Now is a great time to transition your baby to cow’s milk. They should have about 16 ounces of whole cow’s milk daily. If they can’t have dairy, soy milk is an acceptable alternative. Avoid other plant-based milks, such as oat or rice milk, as they lack the protein, vitamins and calcium your baby needs. If they continue to drink breast milk, you can add cow’s milk as well or wait until they are done with breast milk.³

You can also start your baby’s transition by drinking from a cup instead of a bottle. The goal is to drink from an open cup by age 2. To help with the transition, serve your baby whole milk, breast milk or water in a cup during meals and snacks. Once they are comfortable using a cup at mealtimes, offer them at nap time and finally at bedtime.⁴

It can be difficult to know how much food your 13-month-old baby needs during the day. It is important to remember that their appetite will vary from day to day, so just because they ate a certain amount today does not mean they will eat the same amount tomorrow. The overall goal should be to have a variety of foods each week. But here are some helpful serving guidelines to follow:²

• 6 servings of grains per day (1 serving is equal to ½ slice of bread, ¼ cup of cereal, 1-2 crackers, or ¼ cup of pasta)
• 2-3 servings of vegetables per day (1 serving equals 1 tablespoon of cooked vegetables)
• 2-3 servings of fruit per day (1 serving equals ¼ cup of fruit)
• 2-3 servings of dairy per day (1 serving equals ½ cup milk, ½ ounce cheese, or ½ cup yogurt)
• 2 servings of protein per day (1 serving equals 1 ounce of cooked meat, 2 tablespoons of ground beef, ½ egg, or 1 tablespoon of soft peanut butter)
• 16 ounces whole milk, soy milk, or breast milk
• Up to 8 ounces of water

Keeping a consistent sleep schedule will give your 13-month-old baby the right amount of sleep for his age and help with periods of sleep regression. At this age, your baby needs 11-14 hours of sleep every day, including an afternoon nap of two to three hours. Some babies will continue to take a morning and afternoon nap. It’s important to follow your baby’s cues for when to take his morning nap. It is still appropriate for your 13 month old to go to bed around 7:30pm.⁵

While sleep regression may not be expected at this age, your 13-month-old can experience another period of sleep regression. Sleep regression occurs when your baby has trouble both falling and staying asleep. It can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common reasons for sleep regression include teething, illness, a change in their schedule, or a major life change such as moving to a new home. Fortunately, sleep regression usually only lasts two to four weeks.⁶

Sleep regression is difficult for the whole family, but there are ways you can help your little one overcome it. These include the following:⁶

• Don’t let them sleep in your bed, which can prolong the sleep regression period.
• Maintain a consistent bedtime and sleep routine.
• Don’t give them screen time before bed.
• Incorporate relaxing activities into their bedtime routine, such as bath time, reading or gentle lullabies.
• Put them to bed when they are sleepy but not yet asleep. This will help them learn to fall asleep on their own.
• If they wake up in the night, let them fuss for a few minutes before you go in to comfort them. This will help them learn to self-soothe.
• Try to soothe them while they are still in their crib, rather than picking them up when they cry.
• Give them a comfort item, such as a blanket or stuffed animal.

Consistency is key in your baby’s daily routine. Aim for consistent wake times, meal times and bedtimes. If your baby has transitioned to only needing one nap a day, aim for that nap to start around 1pm. This nap will last about two to three hours. Also, aim for a 7:30pm bedtime⁵ Having a schedule gives your baby structure and stability, helping their development.

At this age, there is no need for a scheduled well-being check, as long as your baby has attended their 12-month check-up and received their vaccinations.¹³ As your little one grows, he is exposed to many diseases. The most common childhood illnesses they will be exposed to include the common cold, ear infections, fevers and stomach flu. Many of these ailments can be treated at home, but there are a few things to remember:^7.14

• Do not give your baby any over-the-counter cold or cough medicine.
• You can treat a fever by alternating between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen. (Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package.)
• Use saline nasal drops to help with congestion.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends treating any ear infection in children under 2 years of age with antibiotics.

While your baby can recover from most illnesses on their own, if they experience any of these symptoms, you should contact their doctor:^8.15

• They have a fever for three or more days or it is higher than 105 F.
• They feel cold to the touch or feel warm to the touch with shivering.
• They are quiet or overly sleepy.
• They have rapid breathing or difficulty breathing.
• They have a barking cough or make harsh breathing sounds.
• They are difficult to wake up or seem confused after waking up.
• They have pale, gray or mottled skin.
• There is a change in their crying (such as crying more, not being able to be comforted, or not crying at all).

If you have other concerns about your 13-month-old’s health, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

The best way to help your 13-month-old baby reach milestones is to engage her in fun and developmentally appropriate activities. Here are some ideas to help you engage your little one:⁹

• Repeat the sounds your baby makes to him.
• Tell them the name of an object they see before giving it to them.
• Allow them to help with simple tasks like putting away toys at the end of the day.
• Sing songs and incorporate movements for your baby to copy.
• Dance with them.
• Read books together.
• Play hide and seek.
• Teach them desired behaviors, such as how to touch their pet gently.

With all the new growth and milestones your 13-month-old baby is going through, keeping him healthy is a top priority. Babies explore their world without a sense of danger. It’s up to you to ensure they stay safe while allowing them to explore their surroundings. Here are some tips to help keep your baby safe:¹⁰

• Keep all cords, breakables, medications, household cleaners, choking hazards, and hot or sharp objects out of reach.
• If your baby has possibly ingested a harmful substance, contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairs.
• Prevent choking by keeping all toilet lids closed and supervising your baby while in the bath or near water.
• If there are guns in the house, keep them unloaded and locked in a safe cabinet.
• Use a rear-facing car seat.
• Apply at least SPF 30 sunscreen before playing outside and reapply every two hours.
• Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby.

Watching your baby move through the toddler stage is rewarding and bittersweet as they leave childhood behind. By helping them reach new milestones, keeping them safe and engaging them in stimulating activities, you can help support your 13-month-old’s development. This coming year will be full of new achievements for your little one and the journey of discovery is just beginning.