MONTH 16 - MONTH 18
Please
keep in mind that all babies are unique. Whether your
baby reaches milestones early or late, he has her
own developmental path to follow. The dividing lines
between these months are very fuzzy. If you have any
concerns or questions about your baby’s development,
please check with her health care provider.
Brushing teeth
At
your child's health care appointment around fifteen
months, his provider may have mentioned the importance
of establishing good oral hygiene. The Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry suggests, however, that dental
visits begin as early as six months. Talk to your
child's health care provider about your child's teeth
and whether a visit to the dentist is warranted at
this time.
If
you decide to wait on that momentous first visit to
the dentist, it is especially important to make good
oral hygiene at home as part of your child's daily
routine. Choose a toothbrush specifically made for
little mouths. If your child refuses the toothbrush,
try at least to wipe the gums with a soft gauze pad
or washcloth. Just use warm water at this time; wait
on using toothpaste until your child can coordinate
rinsing and spitting.
It
is not uncommon for toddlers to refuse brushing teeth.
There are some strategies you can try to achieve tooth
brushing success. Remember that many issues right
now are focused on control. When at the store, let
him pick out his own toothbrush (or maybe two) made
for children. Also, let him hold it and examine it.
He wants to know more - and rightly so - about this
object being stuck in his mouth. Each morning and
evening (and lunch time if you are really ambitious),
encourage tooth brushing as part of the routine. Let
him put the brush under the faucet and then brush
his own teeth. It may take some time, but eventually
he'll get the hang of it. If he won't hold the brush,
another tactic is for you to brush his teeth but have
him give you a signal (a wave or squeal) when it is
time to stop. This way, he will still feel that he
is in control of the tooth brushing process. Lastly,
make sure he sees you and other family members brush
their own teeth. He may want to imitate your actions
while you are modeling good oral hygiene practices.
Boogie Baby
During
these three months, your child is well into toddler
hood - asserting his independence, expressing his
likes/dislikes and moving himself all over the home.
One way to channel this boundless energy is to turn
up the volume on your stereo and ask your toddler
for a dance. It is also a great way for you to energize
yourself, especially during those long, late afternoons
when you really could use a nap.
Check
with your local library or mother's groups about neighborhood
music classes. At any age children are interested
in music, but toddlers are especially interested in
combining music and movement. Look for classes facilitated
by music teachers who understand the need for toddlers
to get up and boogie. Whether you want to pick up
your child and swirl him around or grab his hands
and do the twist, your toddler will love to share
music and dancing with his favorite person, you!
We
have musical instruments in our Amazing Toy Store
that will spark baby's interest in combining music
and movement, such as The Charlie Horse Music Pizza
10 Piece Rhythm Set or the Four Piece Mini Orchestra
. With these toys, he can practice using his hands
to manipulate the instrument and shake, rattle and
roll to the beat of the music. So you may need some
earplugs after awhile -- but your toddler will be
happily entertained and learning more about what he
can do.
Momma! Momma!
Typically
(but by no means always) mommy is the primary caregiver
or 'Number 1' in the eyes of a toddler. Some toddlers'
affection for mommy to do everything can intensify
around these months. Most mothers waffle between loving
the fact that she is unconditionally adored by her
child and having feelings of resentment that she is
seen as the only one wanted to ... bathe the child,
read a book, put the child down for nap, prepare his
meals, etc. No one will ever argue that primary care
giving is not hard, physical work.
It
is not easy on dad either. Again, typically, he is
away from home and looks forward to spending time
in the evening with his family. He may feel frustrated
from the toddler's constant preference for mommy.
Fortunately, with most kids, dad efforts are recognized
in child development and he is awarded with another
normal phase later in the preschool years where he
is singled out as the adored adult in the child's
eye.
In
the meantime, mom and dad can work together on helping
the child accept both parents as caregivers. Part
of the reason the child prefers mommy is because she
is usually the one throughout the bulk of the day
who provides important primary care giving - changing
the diaper, helping the child go to sleep, holding
the child if he has an ouchie, preparing meals and
snacks, etc.
At
nighttime, it is important for dad to step into this
role too. For situations where the child will not
accept the dad at all, perhaps mommy needs to step
out for a nighttime walk or dinner with some friends
to help dad and toddler establish their own nighttime
routine. Also, mom needs to resist the temptation
to micromanage dad's care giving skills. Let him development
his own style of care giving. Maybe he'll make some
mistakes - but the toddler will surely let him know
the preferred way. Finally, invest in some books about
daddies. Mom can read these books during the day and
talk about daddy coming home in the evening to spend
time with the toddler.
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