Your baby is now a full-blown toddler, and it is easily evident by the mess he has created all over the house. At this age, you will find that your child easily gets smitten by something, and just as quickly disregards it for something new- short attention spans seem to be the defining feature at this age, in terms of how your child behaves.
This is also the time when your baby starts to develop a humour sense, which means that he is sure to understand the funny side when you sing a silly song or make a funny face. His giggles will seem out of this world, although they can just as quickly start crying for the smallest things.
Let us take a general look at how a 19-month-old baby should be treated, and how far he is supposed to have progressed in terms of growth.
For 19-month-old babies, milestones are more like general guidelines rather than rules which define how much the child has grown. Your child will be able to do a number of activities and understand much more about the world around him. He should be able to understand many more words than he can say, and should also be able to use a spoon and a fork to feed himself without making too much of a mess.
In many cases, the child will also be able to notice when something is wrong in his surroundings- say if his doll has lost an eye or an ear, he is bound to notice it soon. Many of his decisions will be made by himself, and in terms of movement, he will be able to run unaided by supports.
Depending upon the speed of growth of your child, he might be able to do much more. He may be able to wash and dry his hands, and also let you know when he wants to pee. Using the words he knows, he may also be able to point out the items he sees in books.
Let us take a detailed look at how far your child may have progressed in various aspects of his growth.
The major development in this month is in terms of his running ability.
Considering this situation, it is important to ensure that your child has a safe space for him to try his running skills out. You have to pad the edges of the coffee tables and low furniture so that he does not collide harmfully anywhere. Fireplaces and other edges should also be covered well. Gates near stairs can also ensure that your baby does not fall down the stairs due to over-enthusiasm.
In terms of emotional growth, your baby will have grown by leaps and bounds in the leading months. The most important thing to notice about his behaviour is his desire to help you.
Try to get him involved in chores, as you might as well indulge him when he is willing to help you- else, the result might be your 19 month old not talking to you. You can make him do simple, harmless activities, like putting him in charge of cleaning the tires or even holding the hose while washing the car.
At this age, it is hard to gauge how far your baby is supposed to have developed.
At this age, your child will be trying to be more independent and self-sufficient. Therefore, he will not respond well to any commands that you make- instead, you can try to compromise for a more amicable response. Explain to him what you want, and make him understand that discipline is the limits of acceptable behaviour.
Do not get exasperated or harsh at your kid, and understand that he is still developing. Ensure that you do not come across as angry to your child, even when you are trying to discipline him- instead, make him feel loved and accepted no matter what.
In this age, your child is suspicious of anything that he comes across- so if you want him to try new food items, make sure that he sees it for a few times before he is made to eat it. Since they have a short attention span, they will be sure to lose interest in eating within half an hour. Therefore, limit meal times to 20 minutes and time to consume light snacks to around ten minutes.
If your baby is still breastfeeding extensively, he might not have much appetite at meal times and may not even be getting adequate amounts of minerals like iron. So consult with the doctor regarding your 19-month-old baby’s food, so that he grows up healthily.
Ensure that your child gets around 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day, combined- most of the growth occurs when he is sleeping. His sleep schedule should not be erratic and should be consistent for best results. Ensure that he has a safe sleeping space, and consult with the doctor if there are any persistent disruptions in his sleep schedule.
You will notice that your child has started gesturing to you about soiled diapers, at this age. This means that he is growing uncomfortable with the whole diaper arrangement, so you can start potty training him at this age. Remember to handle this process with care and encouragement, though.
There are a few 19-month-old baby activities which can be carried out in order to develop his skills further. Some of these are given below.
Your baby is sure to be extremely active in this stage, so accidents are plausible- if you come across anything larger than a small cut or a bruise, or see your baby crying for long periods for no perceivable reason, give the doctor a visit. Remember to trust your motherly instincts over logic- it is always better to be safe than sorry, so give the doctor a visit just to be sure even if you have the slightest doubt.
This age is characterised by the extremes, as your child will try to be more independent even though he requires a lot of your attention. Always keep an eye on him, as you cannot be sure of what he is up to. The first memories of a child could be formed at this age- so make sure to indulge in a lot of humour and click a lot of pictures of your baby!