Toddler

Your toddler at 1 to 2 years

Development, food, sleep, play and safety from 12 to 23 months, gathered from the month by month guide.

Checked against AAP, AASM, CDC and 5 more · How we source

Each line shows the month pages it comes from, and its source is listed at the end of the page. Every child develops at their own pace. For your child's own month, open it from the month by month list.

Development

Milestones most children reach by each age, from the CDC.

If your child is missing many milestones or you have concerns, talk to your doctor: acting early helps.

By 12 months

Cognitive (learning/thinking)

  • Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup.
  • Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket.

Language and Communication

  • Waves bye-bye.
  • Calls a parent mama or dada or another special name.
  • Understands no (pauses briefly or stops when you say it).

Movement and Physical

  • Pulls up to stand.
  • Walks, holding on to furniture.
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it.
  • Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food.

Social and Emotional

  • Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake.

By 15 months

Cognitive (learning/thinking)

  • Tries to use things the right way, like a phone, cup, or book.
  • Stacks at least two small objects, like blocks.

Language and Communication

  • Tries to say one or two words besides mama or dada, like ba for ball or da for dog.
  • Looks at a familiar object when you name it.
  • Follows directions given with both a gesture and words. For example, he gives you a toy when you hold out your hand and say, Give me the toy.
  • Points to ask for something or to get help.

Movement and Physical

  • Takes a few steps on his own.
  • Uses fingers to feed herself some food.

Social and Emotional

  • Copies other children while playing, like taking toys out of a container when another child does.
  • Shows you an object she likes.
  • Claps when excited.
  • Hugs stuffed doll or other toy.
  • Shows you affection (hugs, cuddles, or kisses you).

By 18 months

Cognitive (learning/thinking)

  • Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom.
  • Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car.

Language and Communication

  • Tries to say three or more words besides mama or dada.
  • Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, Give it to me.

Movement and Physical

  • Walks without holding on to anyone or anything.
  • Scribbles.
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes.
  • Feeds herself with her fingers.
  • Tries to use a spoon.
  • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help.

Social and Emotional

  • Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by.
  • Points to show you something interesting.
  • Puts hands out for you to wash them.
  • Looks at a few pages in a book with you.
  • Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot.

Feeding and nutrition

  • Avoid whole nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hard raw vegetables, chunks of meat/cheese (choking).Month 12Month 15Month 18
  • 12 to 24 months: Full family diet (appropriately textured). Cow's milk can become a drink after 12 months. Continue breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond. How often: 3 meals and 2 snacks.⁠Month 12Month 15Month 18
  • Transition to family meals fully.Month 12
  • Start moving from bottle to cup around now if your baby uses a bottle.Month 12
  • Breastfeeding can continue as long as desired.Month 12
  • Healthy snacks: fruit, cheese, roti.Month 12
Show 14 more
  • Introduce soft roti with dal and ghee.Month 13
  • Try khichdi or idli as everyday meals.Month 14
  • Encourage eating with the family at the table.Month 14
  • Self-feeding improving.Month 15
  • Milk 2 to 3 cups daily.⁠Month 15
  • Introduce soft dosa and paneer pieces.Month 16
  • Keep sugary snacks and drinks occasional.Month 17
  • Try soft fruit like banana, papaya, and mango.Month 17
  • Keep festival sweets occasional and in small portions.Month 17
  • Milk 2 cups daily max.⁠Month 18
  • Try regional breakfast items: poha, sheera, pongal.Month 19
  • Try seasonal fruits from the local market.Month 20
  • Try regional snacks: dhokla, sundal, soft murukku pieces.Month 22
  • Try soft idiyappam, appam, or paratha pieces.Month 23

Sleep

  • 1 to 2 years: Recommended sleep: 11 to 14 hours. Ranges are per 24 hours and, for children through preschool, include naps. Individual needs vary.⁠Month 12Month 15Month 18
  • 12 to 14 hours. 1 to 2 naps. Most babies sleep through the night.⁠Month 12
  • 11 to 14 hours total. 1 afternoon nap, morning nap usually dropped.⁠Month 13
  • 11 to 14 hours total. 1 nap, typically after lunch.⁠Month 14
  • 12 to 13 hours. 1 nap (afternoon). Consistent routine important.⁠Month 15
  • 11 to 14 hours total. 1 nap, usually 1.5 to 2.5 hours.⁠Month 16
Show 7 more
  • 11 to 14 hours total. 1 nap, bedtime routine still important.⁠Month 17
  • 12 to 13 hours. 1 nap. May resist naps: stay consistent.⁠Month 18
  • 11 to 14 hours total. 1 nap, some toddlers start resisting it.⁠Month 19
  • 11 to 13 hours total. 1 nap, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.⁠Month 20
  • 12 hours total. 1 afternoon nap.⁠Month 21
  • 11 to 13 hours total. 1 nap, consistent bedtime routine helps.⁠Month 22
  • 11 to 13 hours total. 1 nap, some days may skip it.⁠Month 23

Play and learning

  • 1 to 2 years: Shape sorters and simple puzzles, push/pull toys, crayons and big paper, pretend phone/kitchen.Month 12Month 15Month 18
  • Push toys for walking support.Month 12
  • Start playgroup/mommy groups.Month 12
  • Family gatherings are a good social outing.Month 13
  • Sing regional lullabies at naptime.Month 14
  • Grandparents can share favorite childhood songs.Month 14
Show 15 more
  • Temple/family gathering visits for socialization.Month 15
  • Indian board books and toys.Month 15
  • Start teaching colors with Indian references.Month 15
  • Visit a nearby park or garden for outdoor play.Month 16
  • Continue storytelling before bedtime.Month 16
  • Attend family functions with short outings.Month 17
  • Consider playschool/daycare.Month 18
  • Take part in local festival preparations.Month 19
  • Read picture books in the home language.Month 19
  • Involve toddler in simple kitchen tasks: stirring, mixing.Month 20
  • Visit grandparents or extended family often.Month 20
  • Indian festivals: involve child in celebrations.Month 21
  • Grandparent storytelling tradition.Month 21
  • Continue bilingual conversations at home.Month 22
  • Read festival-themed picture books.Month 23

Everyday care and routines

  • Keep loose change and small toys out of reach.Month 16
  • Start toilet training awareness (not pressure).Month 18
  • Keep a simple daily routine around meals and naps.Month 20

Safety

Safety at home for this age is a checklist you can tick off and print, from the AAP and CDC.

Month by month

Each month page has its milestones, food, sleep and play for that month.

Month 12Month 13Month 14Month 15Month 16Month 17Month 18Month 19Month 20Month 21Month 22Month 23

Tools and guides

Sources (22)
  1. 1. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (2022 revision), 12 monthsOpen source
  2. 2. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (2022 revision), 15 monthsOpen source
  3. 3. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (2022 revision), 18 monthsOpen source
  4. 4. MedlinePlus, Infant and Newborn Nutrition (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
  5. 5. WHO, fact sheet: Infant and young child feedingBack to text
  6. 6. ICMR, NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians (2024)Open source
  7. 7. AAP, HealthyChildren — From Bottle to Cup: Helping Your Child Make a Healthy TransitionOpen source
  8. 8. ICMR, National Institute of Nutrition — Infant FeedingOpen source
  9. 9. WHO, Infant and young child feeding (fact sheet)Open source
  10. 10. AAP, HealthyChildren — Feeding & Nutrition, toddler yearsOpen source
  11. 11. AAP, HealthyChildren — Weaning From the Bottle / toddler nutritionOpen source Back to text
  12. 12. NHS, Baby's first solid foodsOpen source
  13. 13. AASM, 2016 (Paruthi et al., J Clin Sleep Med) — endorsed by AAPBack to text
  14. 14. National Sleep Foundation, AASM pediatric sleep duration recommendationOpen source Back to text
  15. 15. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (developmental milestones, 2 months through 5 years)
  16. 16. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (1-year milestones, "What you can do")Open source
  17. 17. WHO, UNICEF/World Bank Group — Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development (2018)Open source
  18. 18. WHO, Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age (2019)Open source
  19. 19. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Young Children Learning Multiple Languages: Parent FAQsOpen source
  20. 20. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Choking PreventionOpen source
  21. 21. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Toilet TrainingOpen source
  22. 22. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?Open source