I’m a first-time mom to a fantastic 9.5-month-old (adjusted age 8.5 months). We’re going through a tough time with sleep and dealing with teething issues, including biting while breastfeeding. On a funny note, he started taking a few steps without help at 9 months and 2 days.
I’m just wondering what’s coming up when he turns 1 year old! Tell me about the good stuff, the not-so-good stuff, the unexpected, and the tricky parts, please! I want to be prepared for what’s ahead.
The biggest change for us once our baby turned 1 year old was needing to follow a more structured schedule focused on activities and outings. This was because our little one started staying awake for longer periods and got bored more easily (which affected both us and our child).
Before our baby turned 1, we mainly stayed at home. But now, it’s important for us to go out regularly before and after naptime. We might go to the library, the store, the park, or even just for a stroller ride to keep things interesting and engaging for both our child and us.
Parenting is a journey filled with surprises and challenges, and the transition from infancy to toddlerhood, marked by the first birthday, often brings new experiences and adjustments. Here are some elements of parenting that may catch you off guard or present challenges once your baby reaches their first birthday:
Increased Mobility: As babies start to crawl, cruise, and eventually walk, they become more mobile and curious about their surroundings. This newfound independence can lead to challenges in babyproofing the home and keeping up with their energy levels.
Communication Development: Around their first birthday, babies begin to babble, gesture, and eventually say their first words. While this is an exciting milestone, it can also be frustrating when communication isn’t clear or when babies become more vocal in expressing their wants and needs.
Sleep Regression: Some babies experience sleep regression around their first birthday, which can disrupt established sleep patterns and routines. This may be due to teething, developmental milestones, separation anxiety, or other factors, requiring parents to adjust their approach to sleep training.
Transition to Solid Foods: As babies transition from breast milk or formula to solid foods, parents may encounter challenges such as food allergies, picky eating, and mealtime battles. Introducing new textures and flavors can be messy and unpredictable, requiring patience and persistence.
Temperament and Personality: Babies begin to show more of their unique temperament and personality traits as they grow older. This may include tantrums, stubbornness, or other challenging behaviors that parents need to navigate with understanding and consistency.
Social Development: Toddlers become more aware of social interactions and may start to exhibit shyness, clinginess, or stranger anxiety. Helping them navigate social situations and develop social skills becomes important during this stage.
Boundaries and Discipline: As toddlers assert their independence, they may test boundaries and push limits. Setting consistent boundaries and using positive discipline techniques becomes essential in teaching them appropriate behavior.
Transition to One Nap: Around their first birthday, many babies transition from two naps to one nap a day. This shift in sleep patterns can impact daily routines and require adjustments to schedules and activities.
Emotional Development: Toddlers experience a wide range of emotions and may have difficulty regulating their feelings. Helping them understand and express their emotions in healthy ways can be challenging but important for their emotional development.
Time Management: Parenting a toddler requires a lot of time and energy, as they are constantly exploring, learning, and requiring supervision. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with other aspects of life, such as work, household tasks, and self-care, becomes a juggling act for many parents.
Overall, the transition from infancy to toddlerhood brings new joys, surprises, and challenges for parents to navigate. It’s important to approach this stage with patience, flexibility, and a sense of humor, knowing that each child and family will experience it in their own unique way.