Dr. Carole Keim MD congratulates all parents on making it through the first year. She reminds everyone how much babies have developed in that year and then goes through what to expect at 12 months and beyond. From development to parenting decisions to skin and teeth care, Dr. Keim covers what you need to know. 

Dr. Keim addresses how best to engage with your baby once they’re a year old. She details how they’ve developed and exactly how much they can understand and accomplish. She talks about nutrition and all the things your baby should be eating at this age. Teeth brushing should be a regular part of the bedtime routine and Dr. Keim explains what your baby’s sleeping arrangement should look like. She covers safety and childproofing your home, skincare, and what exactly to expect from their 12 month checkup.

In this episode….

• Parents
• Development
• Sleep
• Nutrition
• Teeth
• Elimination
• Skin care
• Safety
• 12mo checkup

Parents: 00:23

• Engage with child often by speaking with them, tell them the names of objects
• Baby should be able to separate or move away from parent for moments, but will check back to look at them
• Have a “yes” space
• Have regular date nights with a babysitter watching baby
• Make time for yourself
• Hang out with friends 
• Use consistent positive discipline (notice/comment on good behavior, avoid using the word “no” and instead tell them what they CAN do, use distraction, be a role model) 
• Give your child regular down time during the day 
• Look for parent-toddler play groups 
• Congratulate yourself on making it through the first year!  Think of how much you have grown and changed, and your baby too!
• Birthday party planning: it’s mostly for the parents.  Kids can have cake for the first time.  Expect your baby to be done after an hour or two, and allow downtime afterwards.
• This is the time that parenting expectations start to come to the surface.  Talk them over with your partner.  Consider taking a Love and Logic class or other parenting class together.  

Development: 09:21

• Stranger anxiety / apprehension goes away
• Might have a preferred parent
• Starting to talk - says mama, dada, and one other word (typically hi), imitates sounds, jabbers with inflection 
• Points out objects and brings objects to show parents 
• Plays interactive games (responds to peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake)
• Hands parents a book or toy 
• Follows simple directions (put this away / hand me a toy)
• Waves bye
• Starting to walk/cruise along furniture, stand alone for a few seconds 
• Identified people upon request
• Wean pacifier and bottle - switch to a cup for drinks 

Sleep: 14:28

• 10-12h at night, 1 nap per day.  Sometimes takes a few weeks to transition from 2 naps to 1 nap.
• Bedtime routine established: brush teeth together, quiet time, reading, singing
• In crib in own room; consider moving to toddler bed when it’s ok for them to get out of bed (walking independently, able to safely get to your room and wake you up)
• Blankets ok; no pillows til age 2
• No bottles in bed; if you  need to wean bedtime bottle, can start progressively watering it down until it’s only water

Nutrition: 16:29

• 3 meals and 2-3 snacks per day at the same time as the family
• Offer a variety of foods and textures 
• Encourage self feeding
• Can stop breastmilk or formula (use up what you have); ok to breastfeed as long as you want
• Use a cup for water; offer water with all meals and snacks
• Cow’s milk and honey are ok now 
• Should be eating greens daily; ok to have meat; supplement with iron if not eating greens daily or red meat 3x per week
• You determine when child eats and what is offered, but allow child to decide how much to eat (many toddlers graze)

Teeth: 20:03

• Brush teeth BID with fluoride-free toothpaste; if there is no fluoride in water source can use a grain-of-rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste 
• If no teeth yet, brush gums BID with plain water and toothbrush
• Schedule first dentist checkup now or when first tooth is in

Elimination: 20:53

• Can start potty training by putting baby on potty after eating and upon waking
• Typically voiding at least 6x per day, stooling 1-2x per day
• If baby is constipated: first increase water intake, increase fiber (fruit and veggies), then consider prune juice or pear juice 2oz 1-2x per day.  If not enough, talk to your doctor about miralax.

Skin care: 22:56

• Bathe as often as they get dirty (2-3x per week)
• Can use lotion 
• Use sunblock if spending more than 30 mins outside 
• Insect repellant for babies (citronella based is best)

Safety: 23:43

• Childproof the house - outlet covers, stairway gates, barriers around space heaters, cleaning products locked away, electrical cords out of reach, gates around pools 
• Don’t take medicines in front of children - they will learn that you’re supposed to open those bottles and put things in your mouth out of them
• Keep baby in arms or a high chair or playpen in the kitchen and bathroom; never allow baby to be alone in those rooms
• Set water temp to 120’F 
• Avoid secondhand smoke
• Rear facing car seat until age 2
• Don’t leave heavy objects or hot liquids on tablecloths or coffee table 
• Save poison control number in your phone 
• Remove guns from the home or keep them locked and unloaded in a safe

12mo Checkup: 27:54

• Typically able to sit alone on the table; stay within arms reach so they don’t fall off
• Full head-to-toe exam
• Routine vaccines at this visit and the next two: a total of 5-7, plus flu/covid 
• Next checkup at 15 mos 
• Reminder that after 1 year of age should have their first dentist visit and eye exam at ophthalmologist

All of the information in this episode is also in The Baby Manual book, which is available for purchase. Remember it is always okay to call your doctor or emergency services if you have concerns about your baby’s health.  

Resources discussed in this episode:

• The Baby Manual - Available on Amazon

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Dr. Carole Keim MD: linktree | tiktok | instagram

 

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