19 month old behaviors

19-Month-Old Development Milestones: Toddler Month by Month

19-Month-Old

Wow, baby is officially more than a year and half old now, and we bet they’re keeping you on your toes! It seems you embark on a new adventure every day as your 19-month-old baby is likely running around, learning new words and maybe starting to throw a tantrum or two. What else is on the list of 19-month old milestones? Keep reading for more about developmental markers, sleep schedules, feeding routines and more.

In this article:
19-month-old development
19-month-old health
19-month-old food
19-month-old sleep
Activities for a 19-month-old
19-month-old baby checklist and tips

19-Month-Old Development

You're probably amazed at how fast your child is learning and mastering skills. And you're seeing their personality in all the new feats they're performing. Is your child daring or careful? It's getting more obvious as their personality shines through.

19-month-old weight and height

Average 19-month-old baby weight is 23.9 pounds for a girl and 24.6 pounds for a boy, according to the World Health Organization. How tall should a 19-month-old be? Average height is 32.2 inches for a girl and 32.8 inches for a boy.

19-month-old milestones

A lot of parents ask, “What should my 19-month-old be doing?” Here are some 19-month-old milestones they may have hit or are working on:

• Walking. Your toddler can probably run, climb and bend over to pick up a toy from a standing position.
• Speech. Your little chatterbox might be able to say 10 to 20 words. If they can't, it may not be cause for concern, but it's worth bringing up to the pediatrician. One common cause for a speech delay is trouble hearing.
• Teething. Watch out for teething discomfort, as the upper cuspids (canine teeth) and lower second molars tend to break through around this time.
• Potty Training. Keep talking up the potty and read a few board books (see our favorite ones here) about potty training to psych up your 19-month-old for this upcoming milestone.

19-month-old behavior

Your 19-month-old may be exhibiting some challenging and encouraging behaviors. Tap below for advice on dealing with:

• Tantrums. Feel like you're already in the terrible twos even though your child isn't 2 yet? Totally normal. Nineteen-month-olds are still learning to communicate and regulate their emotions. These skills will take some time to develop. Give your child TLC when they're upset, and try to help them get their point across when they're frustrated.
• Separation anxiety. At this age, your kid might become more aware of being away from you and may make a scene—especially if they're hungry, tired or sick. Though it's tempting to linger at daycare drop-off, it's best to make goodbyes quick and stick with a routine. Reassure your child you'll be back and be specific about when.
• Manners. If you lead by example, your child may pick up basic manners. This generally comes in the form of words like “peas,” “tankoo” and “scoosme.”
• Social skills. Sharing and playing cooperatively with others may still be a challenge, but you can help by praising positive behavior.

19-Month-Old Health

A trip to the pediatrician is common for a 19-month-old if you missed the 18-month visit. Here are some health questions parents have at this age:

• My 19-month-old has diarrhea. What should I do?
• What should I do about constipation in my 19-month-old?
• My 19-month-old has a fever. What should I do?
• My 19-month-old is coughing. What should I do?
• My 19-month-old baby is vomiting. What should I do?

19-Month-Old Food

Your 19-month-old is getting more independent with eating—and possibly with refusing food too.

How much should my 19-month-old eat and drink?

One- to-2-year-olds should be eating much like you do: three meals per day, plus two snacks.

About three 8-ounce cups of whole milk per day is recommended for a 19-month-old, if they don't get calcium from other foods. Aim for about 700 mg of calcium total per day.

If you're weaning a 19-month-old from breastfeeding, remember to go slow. Drop one daily nursing session for at least three to seven days before dropping the next. If you go too fast, you could risk plugged milk ducts and infection. Plus, it's a transition that could have an emotional impact on your child, so they may need a little extra comfort while weaning.

What to feed my 19-month-old

Continue to offer your child a variety of foods at each meal and during snack time. Most toddlers should eat about ¾ to 1 cup of fruits and veggies, ¼ cup grains and three tablespoons of protein per day.

Looking for some tasty and nutritious meal inspiration? Check out these food ideas for a 19-month-old:

19-month-old feeding schedule

Image: Smart Up Visuals

19-month-old won’t eat

Toddlerhood is known for picky eating, so try not to worry too much if your child has been turning down nutritious foods and eating what seems like half a bite for dinner. They're not growing as quickly as they did in their first year, and let's face it, saying “no” to eating is part of exercising their newfound independence. The best you can do is to keep offering nutritious food options, choosing and preparing food together and modeling healthy eating behaviors for your child. Pressuring them to eat their broccoli simply won't work.

19-Month-Old Sleep

A sleep routine is key for a 19-month-old. Getting plenty of sleep is important to your child's development and mood. Having a set routine will help your child learn how to wind down at bedtime and, hopefully, prevent bedtime battles.

How much sleep does a 19-month-old need?

Most 19-month-olds need around 11 to 12 hours of nighttime sleep, plus a nap of about 1.5 to 3 hours, for a total of 13 to 14 hours of sleep per day. Every kid is different, but your child's schedule may look something like this:

Image: Smart Up Visuals

19-month-old not sleeping at night

There are two common sleep troubles parents can have with 19-month-olds: One is that they don't seem to want to go to bed at bedtime. This is because everything you’re doing seems much more fun than sleeping. But your tot does need to snooze (and you need the quiet time too), so make sure to stick to the same calming bedtime routine—and start it at the same time each night.

The other common predicament is that they're waking up during the night, either calling for you or coming into your bedroom. To prevent this, it's important your child learns to fall asleep on their own, without special soothers or a parent to cuddle with. That way, when they wake in the middle of the night, they'll know how to put themself back to sleep without needing your help.

To help teach this skill, try to cut down on trips to your child's room and/or don't let your child come into your bed in the middle of the night. (If they do, bring them back to their own bed immediately.) All these strategies can establish nighttime rules and promote a good night’s sleep for a toddler (and for you too).

Night terrors in 19-month-olds

A 19-month-old waking up screaming at night might be having a night terror. A night terror is defined as a crying or screaming episode where the child never really wakes and so is unresponsive. Don't try to wake your child during a night terror, just do your best to calm them back to sleep. And be sure their sleeping space is safe to avoid injury if they flail or walk around. The good news is these seemingly wild sleep disruptions are only upsetting for you. Kids don't even remember them! And they usually grow out of having them by age 9. There's no known cause of night terrors, but stress, changes in routine and overtiredness can contribute to them. So try to stick to a calming bedtime routine, and put your child to bed early enough so they can get a full night's rest.

Activities for a 19-Month-Old

As your child learns and develops new skills, incorporate them into the playtime you have together. Looking for things to do with a 19-month-old? Some fun activities, games and toys for a 19-month-old include:

• Playing soccer. Your tot is developing their kicking skills.
• Going to the park. They'll love practicing climbing skills on young child-friendly equipment.
• Caring for a baby doll. 19-month-olds start to imitate actions they see their parents do, like holding and feeding a baby.
• Playing with puppets. The imaginative play is a learning experience for your child.
• Drawing or scribbling. Give your 19-month old baby some crayons or markers and let them begin making their own masterpieces.
• Reading. It’s extremely important to continue reading to baby. By now, they’ll likely have some favorite stories and will follow along with you.

Should a 19-month old watch TV? At this age, it might be tempting to start letting your little one get screen time—because they want to do exactly what they see their parents doing. Just because you can choose between Mickey, Paw Patrol and 10,000 other toddler shows doesn’t mean you should let your child tune in 24/7.

In fact—brace yourself—doctors say children 18 to 24 months should get less than an hour of screen time a day. That hour should ideally be on an education-based program, and you should talk about it with your child. The reason is development: It’s too easy for a toddler to zone out in the presence of TV instead of being stimulated by new experiences, and at this age, it's difficult for them to understand what's happening on the screen and how that relates to the real world.

19-Month-Old Baby Checklist and Tips

• Take your toddler to their 19-month check-up.
• Encourage your child to undress themself. This is a good skill to develop at this age, and you'll see the benefits once you have one less task you need to help with.
• Bring your own books and playthings to the doctor's office or restaurant to keep your child occupied while you wait. These places often have crayons or toys, but you'll want to have as much backup as possible. Remember, you’ll want to avoid getting into the habit of placing your 19-month old baby in front of a screen during these situations.
• Air travel? Assess your kid before accepting the offer to board early. Some toddlers do need the extra time to get settled, but others do better with as little time as possible in a confined plane.
• Don't give a toddler who's already emotional a long lecture about what they've done wrong—their brains can’t process a lesson when they’re in tantrum mode. Tell them the rules, let the outburst subside and then move on to what's next.
• Are you bilingual? Now is a great time to begin introducing your language to baby. Use both languages around them and they’ll soon begin making the connections.
• Is your tot exhibiting aggressive behavior like hitting or biting? Don’t stress too much—this is normal for toddlers at this stage as they navigate ways to process and express strong emotions. Look into ways to address and discourage your child from using aggression.
• If you have a picky eater on your hands, don’t fret. It’s not unusual for 19-month-olds to stick to what they like. Continue to provide nutritious foods, offering some “safe” foods you know your child loves as well as new foods that’ll expand their palates.

It’s beyond exciting to watch your child meet their 19-month-old milestones. In the coming months, you can likely look forward to your tot stringing words together to form basic sentences and naming familiar people and objects. But remember, every child progresses at their own speed. If you’re ever concerned about your toddler’s development, don’t hesitate to speak with your pediatrician.

Medical content was reviewed by Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas.

20-Month-Old Development Milestones: Toddler Month by Month

20-Month-Old

With age comes more opinions. You’ll likely notice your 20-month-old baby insists on doing things their own way, which can be both exciting and challenging at times. As your tot continues to grow and develop, you’ll want to keep an eye on certain 20-month-old milestones to ensure they’re staying on track. To help you know what to expect at this age, we’ve provided a handy 20-month-old baby guide with all the info you need, from sleep schedules to checklists.

In this article:
20-month-old development
20-month-old health
20-month-old food
20-month-old sleep
Activities for a 20-month-old
20-month-old baby checklist and tips

20-Month-Old Development

Twenty-month-olds tend to have two sides to their personalities: the fun-loving, energetic side and the side that's a bit of a challenge. Your little rebel may be resisting feeding, changing, getting in the car seat, washing hands…and just about anything else you want them to do.

Toddlers this age like to feel like they’re in control, so offer lots of opportunities for your kiddo to “help” or make their own choices. Let your child feed themselves, for example (even if it’s messy), and if they say they're done after two bites, so be it. And give your kid a chance to feel as if they're making their own decisions. For example, you might ask, “Do you want to bring your teddy or your truck for the trip?” as you get ready for a car ride, instead of simply, “It’s time to get into your car seat.”

20-month-old weight and height

A 20-month-old’s weight is, on average, 24.4 pounds for a girl and 25 pounds for a boy, according to the World Health Organization. Wondering how tall your 20-month-old should be? Average height is 32.6 inches for a girl and 33.1 inches for a boy.

20-month-old milestones

What should your 20-month-old be doing? Here are some 20-month-old milestones your child may have hit or may be working on:

• Walking. Some 20-month-olds can stand on one foot while holding on to the wall or a chair. Your toddler is probably working on learning to walk up steps; next will come walking down them. At this point, make sure to use gates at the top and bottom of stairs to protect your little climber. To prevent children from falling out of windows, keep furniture away from windows and make sure windows have guards.
• Speech. Your child may be saying between 25 and 50 words, and will soon start asking "What?" and "What's that?" to just about everything. They’ll also use two-word combinations and reply to requests with “no.”
• Teething. 20 months is about the time a child's lower second molars pop through, so don't be surprised if there are a few nights with disrupted sleep.
• Potty training. A few 20-month-olds show signs of potty training readiness. Now might be a good time to buy a training potty seat and/or start reading potty training books together, if you haven't already. But beware of putting pressure on your kid to potty train too soon. Most kids aren't really ready to start until about 27 to 32 months.

20-month-old behavior

Your now almost-2-year-old is ever-changing, but here’s advice on how to deal with some potentially challenging behaviors:

• Tantrums. Even though your kid's language is developing by leaps and bounds, they still can't communicate everything they want to say, and that can lead to some meltdowns.
• Separation anxiety. At this age, your kid might become more aware of being away from you and may make a scene—especially if they're hungry, tired or sick. Though it's tempting to linger at daycare drop-off, it's best to make goodbyes quick and to stick with a routine. Reassure your child you'll be back and be specific about when.
• Pushing, hitting or biting. Chalk it up to experimentation, but 20-month-olds tend to have their moments of behaving badly. Avoid overreacting or using physical punishment—"biting" your kid to show them how much it hurts doesn't stop them from doing it. Stay calm and keep telling your child that hurting others is never okay.

20-Month-Old Health

Twenty-month-olds seem to have mild illness after mild illness. Some common health questions parents have at this age include:

• My 20-month-old has diarrhea. What should I do?
• What should I do about constipation in my 20-month-old?
• My 20-month-old has a temperature that's high. What should I do if a fever develops?

20-Month-Old Food

Feel like a short-order cook? It’s okay to let your toddler know “this is what’s for dinner” and not offer other options. They won’t starve by refusing a meal now and then.

How much should my 20-month-old eat and drink?

One- to 2-year-olds should be eating much like you do: Three meals per day, plus two snacks. Give them a variety of foods in all food groups—vegetables, fruits, grains, protein and dairy—daily.

What to feed my 20-month-old

Toddlers tend to get too little calcium, iron and fiber. In addition to dairy products, your child can get calcium from foods such as green leafy veggies, broccoli and tofu. Tofu can provide iron too, as can fortified cereal, dried peaches and lean ground beef. For fiber, you may offer pinto or refried beans, prunes, bananas and whole wheat pasta.

For meal inspiration, check out these food ideas for a 20-month-old:

20-month-old feeding schedule

Image: Smart Up Visuals

20-month-old won’t eat

Now that your child's growth is slowing down and they're getting more independent, you might find them refusing to eat more often than they used to. You can't and really shouldn't force your child to eat—but you should keep offering a variety of healthy foods and as many unprocessed foods as possible. Here's more great advice on how to deal with picky eating. If your child won't eat anything at all, it could be a sign of illness, and you should call the pediatrician immediately.

20-Month-Old Sleep

Most parents transition toddlers from crib to bed between the ages of 1.5 and 3 years old. Not quite there yet? First, lower the crib mattress as far as it will go and see if that will keep them secure. Ready to take the plunge? Let your tot help you put their big-kid bed together—it'll help them feel more ownership.

How much sleep does a 20-month-old need?

Most 20-month-olds need around 11 to 12 hours of nighttime sleep, plus a nap of about 1.5 to 3 hours, for a total of about 13 to 14 hours of sleep per day.

20-month-old sleep schedule

Every kid is different, but your child's schedule may look something like this:

Image: Smart Up Visuals

20-month-old sleep regression

Regression can happen when a formerly good sleeper suddenly begins waking more, throwing you for a loop. A bout of teething or illness could be the cause, or maybe a trip or holiday where their sleep routine changed. To get back to the usual snoozing routine, it's important to know the root of the problem, so you can find the right solution to help your child get through it. Stick with the usual bedtime routine and set limits that will help your child get back on track.

20-month-old won’t sleep

Some nights, it seems like bedtime takes way too much convincing. But the truth is, kids need rest and they will eventually sleep. We promise! Wind things down before bedtime—turn off the TV, music and devices at least an hour before bedtime; give your tot a soothing bath and read calming stories. And keep the routine consistent: one book, two kisses, one refill of water, then lights out, for example. Don't let your kid stall or delay.

20-month-old nightmares

When your toddler wakes in the middle of the night, it can be tough to tell whether it's because of a nightmare or another sleep disturbance. But time could clue you in: Doctors say dreams and nightmares tend to happen in the second half of the night.

If you suspect your 20-month-old has had a nightmare, comfort them and soothe them back to sleep, reassuring your child that you'll be close and everything is okay. During the day, be careful they're not exposed to any stories or shows that could scare them and cause future nightmares.

20-month-old waking up too early

We've been there: You know your child needs more morning Zzz's but they get up with the sun. Make sure their room is dark and quiet in the mornings. We highly recommend blackout shades or curtains for their windows.

Activities for a 20-Month-Old

A 20-month-old shows independence through simple chores and activities they see their parents or older siblings do. They love songs and learning through playtime. Looking for things to do with a 20-month-old? Some fun activities, games and toys for a 20-month-old include:

• Drawing with crayons. Together you can work on practicing drawing a straight line.
• Head, shoulders, knees and toes! Your 20-month-old may be able to name up to six body parts.
• Playing with blocks. Your child is still working on stacking skills and may be able to stack up to six of them.
• Doing chores together. Let your 20-month-old set the spoons on the table, wipe up spills and sweep the floor with a mini-broom. At this age, work feels like play.
• Reading together. Never underestimate the power of reading. Read with your 20-month-old baby every day and encourage them to choose their favorite stories and follow along.
• Using your imagination. Find ways to get your toddler to engage in pretend play. Dress up in costumes, build forts and turn cardboard boxes into spaceships, and let fun, imaginary narratives unfold.

20-Month-Old Baby Checklist and Tips

• It's never too early to practice good hygiene. Teach your child to wash and dry their hands and get into the habit of doing it together.
• Dentists recommend a 20-month-old uses a small dab of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth. Practice brushing your teeth together—after a while, you just may notice your kiddo wanting to brush their own teeth. It’s okay to let them experiment, but be sure to do a second round of brushing to ensure you get all their teeth truly clean.
• Your toddler’s lower molars should start growing in around this age, so keep remedies at the ready to ease any discomfort.
• A 20-month-old is often ready to tackle stairs. Section off stairs in your home with safety gates to prevent any accidents until your tot masters this new skill.
• If you’re still giving your 20-month-old baby a cup of milk before bed, it’s time to start weaning them off of it. It is okay to stop it altogether—only offering it with dinner or after their last meal of the evening.
• Shampooing can be annoying to toddlers, but the good news is that you don't have to do it every day. Depending on the child's hair and skin type, washing hair once a week is probably just fine.
• As tempting as it is to allow your child to watch TV, continue to limit screen time as much as possible. Some studies suggest introducing screens too early can have negative effects on children’s short-term memory and attention spans. It can also potentially delay their language development and disturb their sleep.

Time seems to be flying by as your 20-month-old baby learns something new every day and continues to grow and develop. While you’re tracking your child’s progress toward their 20-month-old milestones, keep in mind that every little one develops at their own pace. However, if you’re ever concerned about your toddler not learning certain skill sets, contact your pediatrician.

Medical content was reviewed by Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas.

21 months: curiosity and independence - Child development

Every day the child learns to cope with new difficulties. How to climb stairs? How not to fall off the couch? Many parents dream of taming this unbridled energy.

New discoveries

Your child is not yet two years old, but he has already developed many skills. He walks confidently (sometimes on the playground you can't keep up with him). He can take his toys out of the box and put them back. He finds that he no longer has to crawl up the steps because he is now able to reach the railing and walk up and down with it. He becomes a real climbing master: using a stool, he gets to almost all the forbidden items that you hide from him. nine0003

At the end of the day, you're down, but your child is still full of energy. Sometimes you wish he had a switch.

The fact that the child is constantly in motion, not only strengthens his muscles. Walking, running and climbing on different surfaces help the baby develop orientation in space. In addition, the child is aware of the consequences of his actions, because in the process he has to solve various problems. For example, he understands how many toys can be put in a box so that it is not too heavy to carry, or what happens if the box is dropped. nine0003

Development of drawing skills

At the above age, the child continues to improve fine motor skills. He can build a tower of six bricks and likes to draw with crayons and felt-tip pens on paper or wallpaper. You should not expect from a child that he will draw objects in detail. At this age, the process of drawing is more about drawing lines than trying to depict a real object.

At the age of two, the baby begins to add curves and angles to the lines. These changes mean that the child is trying to draw a real object, although it is still difficult for adults to understand what it is. From the drawings of a three-year-old child, one can recognize simple objects (a person, a tree, a house, etc.). You should understand that the development of drawing skills is an important stage in the development of a child. Just enjoy it. nine0003

Aggressive behavior

The child experiences a lot of joy because he is interested in everything he sees around - from a cardboard box to going to the supermarket. But sometimes the child behaves aggressively. For example, he may hit you when you want to pick him up, or push his brother for no apparent reason.

Welcome to the child's world - a place where he can be restless, rude, and sometimes cruel.

Between the ages of 19 and 21 months, children may bite, scratch or exhibit other aggressive behavior. This is not because they become violent, but because they experiment with new behaviors. The child wonders what will happen if he pulls your hair or hits you. He is still too young to remember the consequences of such behavior for a long time - his behavior can be repeated after a while, even if you react negatively to such behavior. nine0003

Terrible two years of age

Experts say that the so-called "terrible two years" actually starts at 18-19 months, when the child begins to fight and bite. Since young children have a selfish view of the world, they can understand their own pain, but not the pain of another person.

In addition to all the problems of the age of two, the child shows a strong will, but does not understand much. The child strives for independence, but he does not understand why he cannot play with fire, pull the dog's tail or taste his mother's lipstick. He gets angry when you stop him from doing what he has planned. nine0003

At the same time, the child feels a strong attachment to his parents. Children are sometimes frightened by their own antics and the reactions of their parents. This contradiction between the desire for independence and dependence on parents leads to strong mood swings. Psychologists say that this is why this age is similar to adolescence.

Aggressive behavior of the child decreases by the age of three, when he learns to better express his feelings.

At the same time, the child greatly expands the repertoire of his skills - physical, emotional, language, etc. It's amazing how quickly kids this age learn new things. No adult can develop new skills at the same rate. nine0003

Choices in food

Most often, contradictions between two-year-old children and parents arise due to

diet. Parents often complain that they cannot force their child to eat. Even if the child used to eat vegetables and fruits with pleasure, at the age of 19 months he can start eating only pasta.

It is also true that at this age children prefer what they are already familiar with. Therefore, it may take you a long time to persuade your child to try a new dish. In addition to the fact that children tend to automatically reject everything new, their taste is much more sensitive than that of adults. nine0003

You should learn to trust your child to ask for food when he is hungry. Do not force your child to eat. Sometimes a child likes to argue with his parents more than to try this or that dish.

Development in play activities

Between 19 and 21 months, children cannot name the colors or shapes of objects, but in most cases they say what the difference is between them. Psychologists say that at this age, children are very fond of sorting games. If you watch a child play alone, you can see how he sorts the blocks by color or separates toys into dolls and soft toys. Young children are interested in identifying differences between objects. Their hands are dexterous enough to pick up items from a common pile and stack them. nine0003

Playing activities contribute to the fact that the child develops even more fine motor skills. When a child assembles a pyramid, he tries to arrange the rings in size, from largest to smallest, and not in random order, as before.

The skill of sorting forms the basis of more complex problem solving skills, since abstract thinking is largely related to the ability to compare and classify objects. So the child begins to better understand the world around him.

Interesting facts about child development

Basic skills that a child has between 19 and 21 months of age.

19 months. Imitates animal sounds, draws with pencils and felt-tip pens, sees himself as the center of the world.

20 months. The child's mood often changes, he knows the names of familiar objects and the names of familiar people, forms short sentences of two or more words.

21 months. Sorts and classifies objects according to common characteristics, plays role-playing games with others, can walk backwards and climb stairs. nine0003

"Terrible two-year-olds": how to overcome an important age crisis?

Here it is, such an important children's crisis: terrible behavior, tantrums. Parents are confused - what if this is now forever? Psychologist Anna Skavitina tells how to behave and how to help a child go through this stage of development.

Anna Skavitina, psychologist, analyst, member of the IAAP (International Association of Analytical Psychology), supervisor of the ROAP and the Jung Institute (Zurich), expert of the Psychology journal

Why is he acting like this?

Both parents and psychologists often talk about "terrible two-year-olds" - during this period, the child suddenly becomes completely unbearable, and almost every mother will tell you what the horror is. And psychologists will answer that this is a normal phase of development experienced by young children. Yes, it is often accompanied by tantrums, defiant behavior and constant disappointments in the structure of this world. And it is not at all necessary that all this begins to happen right on the day of birth, when the child turns 2 years old. nine0003

Behavioral difficulties can begin between 18 and 36 months of age, and despite the well-established label of “terrible twos”, this can all escalate into what is called the “third year crisis”. That is, having started behaving like this at the age of one and a half, children can, without jumping out, continue tantrums and terrible behavior until the age of three, and after three, if their parents are not lucky. But still, after 3-3.5 years, tantrums occur less frequently.

myself!

Early childhood is a stage that lasts from 1 to 3 years. nine0006 intensive intellectual and physical growth of the baby is now taking place. Your child begins: