Parents mark their children’s transition with both exaltation and dread. It is a joy to know that the little scrap you produced is thriving and literally on his or her way to outgrowing you and towering above you. Developmental stages are thrilling, of course: smiling; being weaned, and enjoying their first solid food; crawling; the milestone of walking; potty-training – such a relief when that is accomplished!

When is a Baby Considered a Toddler?

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Saying ’Bye to Babyhood

 
However, often less than an enthusiastic fanfare greets the transition from baby to toddler. Perhaps with justification, parents are wistful about the disappearance of the adorable and fragile baby as it morphs into a robust and boisterous changeling. There are some, however, who find the baby stage relatively boring, and welcome the thrills and spills of toddlerhood.

The official definition brackets children between twelve and thirty-six months as toddlers. Of course, your baby may not have found her feet yet at one year, which is, of course, no reason to consider her development hampered. She is a toddler because she is now so much more curious, adventurous and in some ways more demanding: toddlers get up to so many hazardous pursuits, and it is now that you need eyes in the back of your head! Toddling – that adorable tottering walk – is of course where the term ‘toddler’ derives its name. Bumps and scrapes are inevitable by-products of this phase.

Downsides

 
In all respects, your now much more rumbustious kid is that – a kid. No longer delightful-smelling, they now create more washing than before, require more grooming, and, as their parent, you are desperate to have them ‘toileted’ as soon as possible. The joy of changing diapers has evaporated.

When previously Baby could be safely plonked on to your bed to allow you to get dressed, now he has slithered off within a split second. The mobility that toddlerhood brings isn’t all bad, though. Yes, he is heavier, but not having to carry him around at all times gives your back a welcome break.

There is little chance of missing the signs that your baby is now well and truly a toddler. One of these is the inquisitiveness and energy with which they ‘get into everything.’ Drawers and doors suddenly are being opened with ease; most parents know to pre-empt these explorations by childproofing anything that moves. The installation of baby gates has to happen now, if not done already.

Upsides

 
Talking has blossomed, and now your job is to name every object that your child sees or hears. Soon, even when you are driving or walking alone, you find yourself stammering: dog, truck, train, digger, tractor, each time you pass one of these. You attract a few stares. Nothing can be rushed, because of your kid’s curiosity about objects and creatures tiny and large means that progress is painfully slow. The speech comes to different toddlers at different times in their development, and should not become a source of worry. Babblers, relatively silent children, and proper little talkers are all normal, and a baby’s first ‘proper word’ may come well after the twelve-month mark. If you do develop concerns about delayed speech development, raise these with your pediatrician. Almost certainly, your mind will be put to rest.

Messy Eating

 
One couple I knew spread newspaper everywhere in their dining room before feeding their toddler twins. It is 100% normal for the post-12-month-old to get more food on the floor and his face than in his mouth. Take your own precautions against the mess, in order not to let clearing up be the chief concern. In his high chair, your toddler can experiment to his heart’s content with the food that the rest of the family is eating. Be sure to avoid nuts, thought, until at least the age of twelve months. The same goes for egg whites and honey. Most importantly, be sure to cut food into small baby-bitesize pieces.

If you have reached this stage – mess and all – just be glad. Weaning babies on to solids does not go super-smoothly for everyone. Enjoy the fact that your young’un is trying out assorted foods and at least consuming a small percentage of it!

Sleep Deprivation

 
If you are only just on the brink of toddlerhood, prepare to lose a precious slice of ‘me’ time. Yes, folks, sad to say, the morning nap is doomed. Make the most of the last few, because around fifteen months; the snoozing will stop; some toddlers may take a little longer to drop the napping habit, in which case count yourself lucky.

Busy Digits

 
The toddler stage is more interesting in lots of ways than the twelve months or so preceding it. Those little fingers accomplish big strides, as they become capable of picking things up between forefinger and thumb. This is why tolerating a degree of mayhem at meal-times is so worthwhile. Your little lamb maneuvering morsels of food to his mouth in a precise and delicate manner ain’t going to happen.
So much is trial and error for the toddler; luckily, they enjoy repetition and will endlessly rehearse the same move. Enjoy his attempts and offer praise and encouragement. Play-time is a fascinating spectacle, as those clever hands demonstrate ever-increasing dexterity. This, along with the delight of hearing the names of toys being enunciated, guarantees parents a pay-off to offset the exhaustion and exasperation that caring for toddlers admittedly involves!

Will-Power and Self-Hood

 
Where previously, your baby was happy to play along with of your decisions about what was to happen next, suddenly she has begun resisting. Your word is no longer law. Expect ructions when you place her against her will in her buggy, car seat or – especially – playpen. Supermarket shopping begins to involve a battle of wills. Similarly, handing things back that you don’t want her to destroy (such as the TV remote), brings out her strong and forceful personality.

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Toddlerhood – love it or loathe it – will bring some of the swiftest and most dramatic changes in your child’s life. Do lots of talking, laughing and don’t reduce the cuddling, just because your kid is no longer a cooperative, sweet baby!

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