A baby’s first birthday is beautiful and memorable for all parents. By this time, your baby may be able to walk with your help, grab onto the couches (or take her first steps on her own), say a few words, and generally make progress in all areas. In this article, all stages of development, vaccinations and examinations of the baby are presented.
Things most 1-year-old babies do:
1- Social and emotional
- He feels embarrassed and sad when he sees a stranger
- When his parents leave him, he starts crying
- Interested in certain things or people
- Fear manifests itself in some situations
- To hear the story, he takes a book and puts it in your hand
- Makes sounds or reactions to get attention
- He extends his arms and legs to help get dressed
- Shows interest in simple games like playing ball and…
2- Language and communication
- Answers and understands simple requests
- He uses simple gestures like shaking his head to “mean no” or waving his hand to “say goodbye”.
- By changing the tone of his voice, he makes different sounds
- He says words like “mama” or “dada”.
- Tries to repeat the words you say
3- Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem solving)
- It explores objects in a variety of ways, such as by shaking, throwing, and knocking
- Find hidden objects easily
- When he hears the name of a picture or object (or a family member), he looks at it
- Imitates the movements of others
- He starts to use the tools properly. For example, he drinks water from a glass and combs his hair with a brush
- Knocks two things together
- He puts things in a bowl and then takes them out
- You may be able to stand unaided
- He points his finger at people or things
- Follows simple commands like “pick up the game”.
4- Physical movements and growth
- He can sit without anyone’s help
- He gets to his feet and starts walking with the help of furniture (or a wall).
- He may be able to take a few steps without the help of someone or something
- May be self-contained
Fortunately, your child will not need frequent check-ups in the second year. But the checks and care in place can give you confidence that all is well. In addition, these visits are a good opportunity to ask your child’s healthcare provider or doctor your questions.
In one-year baby care, the following must be done:
1- Physical examination
The doctor will again do a complete physical examination and possibly run a test to test the child’s blood lead and iron levels. These tests are done if they were not done in the previous care.
The doctor will also examine the child’s mouth to check his teeth. The number of teeth (usually between two and eight) as well as signs of decay are taken into account. He or she will likely give you advice about oral hygiene.
In addition, the following are also considered:
- The weight and height of the child are measured. After one year, the child’s growth rate gradually decreases.
- Ask your doctor any questions you may have about vitamins, nutritional supplements, and your child’s diet.
- Ask your doctor about any concerns about your child’s growth or weight.
- By one year, the baby will reach three times its birth weight. Your baby is growing slowly but surely in the second year.
- If your baby is very fat, it may be because he has taken in too much milk. Your health care provider will tell you if your child’s weight-height ratio is appropriate. She will also give advice on diet. Babies do not need a special diet, only healthy foods should be used to feed them.
- Ask your doctor about juice consumption. Sometimes children get used to drinking juice, which can lead to tooth decay and even obesity. It is better to use water to quench thirst.
Babies are different and reach developmental milestones at different times. It is best to ask the doctor about the child’s development.
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2- Milestones of growth
Many children begin to walk on all fours after one year, while others do it a few weeks earlier (before one year). Some of them express meaningful words while others use incomprehensible words.
The doctor tries to take into account some of these skills in the child:
- He pulls himself to stand
- Walking with the help of carrying furniture or even walking without support
- Express your desires using gestures (eg pointing, pointing, waving)
- Eat your hand or finger
- Respond to words like “no” or “bye” or recognize your name
- Saying a word or two or even a few meaningful words (although some babies don’t say a word until 14 months old)
- Try to imitate your words
- Play simple games with you
- Hit two objects together, put things into the container and take them out
Don’t forget that every child is unique and that there are a wide variety of different developmental situations. If you are concerned about your child’s milestones, be sure to visit your pediatrician.
3 – Vaccinations for 12 months baby
The one-year-old vaccine is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine by injection.
In general, the child should receive various vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following vaccinations for children:
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
- Hepa (hepatitis A)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Different doses of these vaccines may also be required (remember that your child needs the recommended doses for complete protection). Other required vaccinations are:
- HepB (hepatitis B)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- PCV (pneumococci to prevent pneumonia)
- IPV (children’s hemiplegia)
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Questions to ask your doctor
After one year of age, the child becomes more independent and does not need hugs as before. He can display painful (and possibly frustrating) behaviors such as suddenly refusing his favorite foods or refusing to wear shoes on a rainy day, or even biting or hitting someone!
What is the meaning of these behaviors and how do we deal with them? It is best to ask your doctor the following questions to get rid of your concerns:
- What is the reason for the child’s excessive dependence on his blanket, and is this worrisome?
- Can I put a pillow in my baby’s crib or bed?
- My baby still needs my milk to sleep even at night, is this normal?
- When should I start giving cow’s milk to my baby? What kind of milk should I use?
- When should I stop using the bottle?
- What is proper nutrition for a child? What are the best complementary foods that I can give him?
- When should the child’s first visit to the dentist be?
- He likes to play with my mobile phone. Does this cause him a problem?
The doctor is the best and most reliable person to answer your questions. It is better to refer to him to rule out any doubts or concerns.
Recognize signs of growth retardation
As children begin to grow and develop, there are a variety of milestones for them. Most children do not grow according to a certain pattern and their parameters usually differ from the normal range. As mentioned above, children are different and there is usually nothing to worry about.
But sometimes the retardation, slowdown in development, or sudden loss of skills is unusual and requires evaluation and possibly intervention. The sooner the initial intervention is carried out, the greater its impact on the future development and health of the child.
Experts believe that parents can play an important role in diagnosing developmental disorders and early diagnosis can lead to early intervention. This can make a huge difference in a child’s future.
For this reason, it is very important to recognize the signs of a growth retardation. Pay attention to the symptoms listed below (or the milestones listed above) and adapt them as your child grows. If you think your baby is farther away than expected, it’s best to see a doctor.
Also, make sure you know the signs of a developmental disorder and tell the doctor if your child is not doing (or seems to have stopped doing) these things by age 12 months:
- He responds to your words by making sounds
- He speaks incomprehensible words
- It recognizes people’s smiles and smiles at you or others
- He makes eye contact with you and keeps it up
- To fulfill needs, he uses gestures such as pointing, waving, etc
- When you call his name, he looks or reacts
- It appears when you refer to something
- Supports his weight on his legs or sits unassisted
After reviewing the above with the doctor, make the next appointment. The doctor will probably check the baby again at 15 months of age.
