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By 14 months old, your toddler’s personality may shine through more noticeably. You might notice they grasp more of your words and show determination to continue favoured activities, even at bedtime.
Supporting your toddler’s joyful and healthy growth involves creating a safe environment where they can confidently explore their newfound independence.
With each day your child walks, their confidence grows. They can start and stop walking more smoothly and lift themselves gracefully into a standing position. Toddlers have a great fondness for manipulating objects. You may find them moving things around a lot, tirelessly transferring whatever they can from one place to another.
Your toddler is developing a lot at this age. They are undergoing a lot of physical growth and developing their motor skills, prompting them to keep trying to do new things. Much social, emotional, mental, and communicative development also take place at this age in toddlerhood.
According to the World Health Organisation, the typical weight for 14-month-old girls is around 20.7 pounds, while boys typically weigh about 22.3 pounds. Regarding height, girls normally measure around 30.1 inches, while boys measure around 30.7 inches on average.
Remember that these figures are averages, and individual growth patterns may differ. As long as your child is meeting developmental milestones, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining overall good health, their specific weight and height are less important than their overall well-being.Â
If you have concerns about your child’s growth or development, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your paediatrician for personalised guidance and reassurance.
When your toddler starts walking, they might seem a bit unsteady, wobbly, and shaky. This is completely normal as they’re still learning how to balance and coordinate their movements.Â
At 14 months old, if your child is taking their first steps, it might not resemble the smooth, confident stride of older children or adults. Instead, their walking style might involve a wide stance, with their toes pointing outward.Â
Their steps may appear shaky and seem to lurch forward from one foot to the other, using their arms at shoulder height for balance. It’s a tentative and slow process, especially when they lose balance and fall, but it’s all part of the learning curve.Â
If your child hasn’t started walking yet, there’s no need to worry. Every child develops at their own pace, and taking those first steps is a milestone that’s likely just around the corner in the coming months.
At this stage, toddlers are gradually transitioning to a diet that resembles that of adults. It’s important to continue introducing a variety of flavours and textures to expand their palate and promote healthy eating habits from an early age.
Since toddlers have small stomachs, focus on serving nutrient-rich foods that support their growth and development. Avoid offering foods high in sugar and empty calories, as they provide little nutritional value.Â
Steer clear of sugar-sweetened drinks like soda, juice drinks, sports drinks, and flavoured milk, as these can contribute to unhealthy weight gain and dental issues.Â
Limit 100% fruit juice intake to no more than 4 ounces per day, and encourage serving juice in a cup rather than a bottle to promote healthy drinking habits. By prioritising nutritious options and setting a positive example, you can help your child develop a preference for healthy foods that will benefit them in the long run.
At 14 months, your little one should have three meals and two snacks daily. As a general guideline, aim for around 40 calories per inch of your toddler’s height to ensure they’re getting adequate nutrition.
To support their growth and development, provide calories from nutrient-rich sources like fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein.Â
Milk, rich in calcium, is particularly important for your child’s diet at this stage, helping to meet their nutritional needs for healthy bone development and overall well-being.
Choose whole milk for your child, and if you are wondering how much whole milk should be given in a day, do not feed more than 16 to 24 ounces to avoid any kind of iron deficiency.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it’s recommended to aim for approximately 13.25 hours of sleep at this age. This falls within the range of 11 to 14 hours of total sleep within a 24-hour period, including at least 11 hours of nighttime sleep and 2 to 3 hours dedicated to 1 or 2 naps during the day.
However, it’s important to recognise that sleep patterns can vary greatly among babies and toddlers, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
Instead of focusing on achieving a specific number of hours, paying attention to your child’s cues, such as mood and energy levels is crucial. This allows you to gauge whether your child is getting sufficient rest to support their overall well-being and development.
At 14 months old, your little one might experience nighttime waking for various reasons, including vivid dreams, teething discomfort, and separation anxiety, even if they were previously good sleepers.Â
If you’re eager to return to your usual sleep routine, it’s crucial to understand the underlying cause of the disturbance to provide appropriate support. Stick to your typical bedtime routine and establish clear boundaries to help your child navigate this phase and return to restful nights.
As your toddler grows, their vision becomes sharper, allowing them to notice intricate details and perceive depth by 14 months. You can support their visual development by exposing them to colourful picture books, engaging toys, and social interactions with children their age.Â
Taking them on outings to places like the park, grocery store, or a friend’s house provides new and stimulating sights to explore.
Toddlers can express their food preferences and dislikes with growing language skills. It’s common for them to reject new foods initially, but repeated exposure can help them accept a wider variety of flavours. Encourage descriptive language during meals to help your child identify tastes and smells, fostering their sensory awareness.
As your toddler grows, their vision becomes sharper, allowing them to notice intricate details and perceive depth by 14 months. You can support their visual development by exposing them to colourful picture books, engaging toys, and social interactions with children their age.Â
Taking them on outings to places like the park, grocery store, or a friend’s house provides new and stimulating sights to explore.
Even before speaking, toddlers understand much of what is said and can follow simple commands by around 14 months. They also begin to recognize and name familiar objects and family members. While language skills continue to develop, toddlers enjoy listening to music, laughing with friends, and engaging in nonverbal communication to express their wants and ideas.
Toddlers can express their food preferences and dislikes with growing language skills. It’s common for them to reject new foods initially, but repeated exposure can help them accept a wider variety of flavours. Encourage descriptive language during meals to help your child identify tastes and smells, fostering their sensory awareness.
Despite their busy exploration, toddlers still crave affection and reassurance from their caregivers. Show your love through cuddles and kisses, reinforcing their sense of security. Keep hazardous items out of reach and create a safe environment for hands-on learning experiences. Address hitting behaviour with gentle redirection and consistent discipline strategies like time-outs.
Recognizing these cues allows you to respond promptly to your child’s needs, ensuring their comfort and overall well-being. If you have concerns, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is advisable.
With your guidance, your child may be learning to climb stairs, practising coordination and balance under your supervision. This is an important skill they will continue refining as they grow more independent.
Your little one is becoming more independent at meal times, using their thumbs and forefingers to pick up small objects and feed themselves finger foods. This development of fine motor skills is an important step towards self-feeding.
You may introduce your child to drinking from a cup, helping them transition from bottles to cups and encouraging independence in their daily routines.
Your child may be interested in using utensils like spoons or toddler forks to feed themselves. This is a milestone in their self-feeding journey as they develop more refined motor skills.
You might notice your child exploring their creativity by making marks on paper with crayons. This early form of writing helps them develop fine motor skills and express themselves creatively.
As your child grows, they may start testing their boundaries and asserting their independence. This might include refusing to cooperate, throwing tantrums, or challenging your authority. While it can be frustrating sometimes, it’s important to remember that testing limits is a normal part of their development as they learn about boundaries and consequences.
Your child is beginning to understand and respond to their name, showing responsiveness to verbal cues and strengthening your bond. It’s heartwarming when they turn their attention to you upon hearing their name, signalling their growing awareness of the world around them.
Your child is starting to comprehend and respond to simple commands or instructions, such as stopping an action when told “no.” This shows their growing understanding of boundaries and rules, even though they may still test them occasionally.
Your child is exploring cause-and-effect relationships by experimenting with different ways to interact with objects. Whether they’re shaking, banging, dropping, or throwing objects, they’re learning how their actions can impact the world around them.
With your guidance, your child may be learning to climb stairs, practising coordination and balance under your supervision. This is an important skill they will continue refining as they grow more independent.
Your little one is becoming more independent at meal times, using their thumbs and forefingers to pick up small objects and feed themselves finger foods. This development of fine motor skills is an important step towards self-feeding.
You may introduce your child to drinking from a cup, helping them transition from bottles to cups and encouraging independence in their daily routines.
Your child may be interested in using utensils like spoons or toddler forks to feed themselves. This is a milestone in their self-feeding journey as they develop more refined motor skills.
You might notice your child exploring their creativity by making marks on paper with crayons. This early form of writing helps them develop fine motor skills and express themselves creatively.
As your child grows, they may start testing their boundaries and asserting their independence. This might include refusing to cooperate, throwing tantrums, or challenging your authority. While it can be frustrating sometimes, it’s important to remember that testing limits is a normal part of their development as they learn about boundaries and consequences.
Your child is beginning to understand and respond to their name, showing responsiveness to verbal cues and strengthening your bond. It’s heartwarming when they turn their attention to you upon hearing their name, signalling their growing awareness of the world around them.
Your child is starting to comprehend and respond to simple commands or instructions, such as stopping an action when told “no.” This shows their growing understanding of boundaries and rules, even though they may still test them occasionally.
Your child is exploring cause-and-effect relationships by experimenting with different ways to interact with objects. Whether they’re shaking, banging, dropping, or throwing objects, they’re learning how their actions can impact the world around them.
If you notice that your toddler is experiencing a regression in skills they previously mastered, such as language development, motor skills, or social interactions, it’s essential to seek assistance from a child healthcare professional. Regression can be a sign of various underlying issues, including developmental delays, medical conditions, or emotional concerns.
Patty-cake: Sit facing your child and gently clap your hands together while singing the “Patty-cake” rhyme. Encourage your child to imitate your clapping movements and join in the fun. As they become more coordinated, you can introduce variations of the game, such as clapping their own hands together or clapping their hands with yours.
Push toy: Place a push toy, such as a mini lawnmower or shopping cart, in front of your toddler and encourage them to grasp the handle. Guide them as they push the toy forward, taking small steps to practise their walking skills.Â
Stacking blocks: Sit with your child and demonstrate how to stack blocks by placing one block on top of another. Encourage your child to imitate your actions and stack their own blocks. Start with larger, easier-to-grasp blocks, and gradually introduce smaller or more challenging shapes as they develop their skills.Â
Shape sorting: Encourage your child to pick up each shape and try fitting it into the correct hole. Praise and encourage them as they succeed, and provide gentle guidance if they struggle. This hands-on exploration will enhance your child’s problem-solving abilities and hand-eye coordination while teaching them about basic shapes.Â
Pretend-play toys: Set up a play kitchen or dollhouse and encourage your child to act out different scenarios, such as cooking a meal or caring for dolls. Join in the play to enhance interaction and storytelling, fostering your child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development through creative role-play experiences.
Engaging in these activities and providing age-appropriate toys not only entertains your 14-month-old but also supports their overall development, from fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to cognitive abilities and imaginative play. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to bond and have fun together!
As toddlers learn to walk, they should go barefoot or wear soft-soled shoes whenever possible. This allows them to feel the ground beneath their feet and develop muscle strength. They can transition to firmer-soled shoes once they’ve gained confidence in walking independently. Ensure your child’s shoes are professionally fitted, with measurements taken for each foot’s length and width.
At 14 months old, it’s a great time to introduce your toddler to drinking from a cup. Start by offering small amounts of liquid in an open cup, encouraging them to practice this important skill. Early exposure to cup drinking helps them develop independence and strengthens their motor skills.
While some 14-month-olds may already be talking, it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. There’s no need to worry if your child isn’t talking yet—they will learn in their own time. Keep communicating with them using simple sentences, speaking clearly without baby talk. This will aid in their language comprehension and fluency development.
If your toddler consumes approximately 16 ounces of milk daily, there’s typically no cause for concern. However, if their milk intake exceeds this amount, ensure they consume iron-rich foods. It’s advisable to discuss the possibility of adding an iron supplement with your toddler’s healthcare provider.
You may have noticed that forcing kids to sleep is quite a challenge. If your 14-month-old is resistant to bedtime, the best approach is to provide them with the tools they need to relax and fall asleep and then let them decide. This involves offering opportunities for active play during the day, establishing a consistent and soothing bedtime routine, and turning off screens at least an hour before bedtime.
As toddlers learn to walk, they should go barefoot or wear soft-soled shoes whenever possible. This allows them to feel the ground beneath their feet and develop muscle strength. They can transition to firmer-soled shoes once they’ve gained confidence in walking independently. Ensure your child’s shoes are professionally fitted, with measurements taken for each foot’s length and width.
At 14 months old, it’s a great time to introduce your toddler to drinking from a cup. Start by offering small amounts of liquid in an open cup, encouraging them to practice this important skill. Early exposure to cup drinking helps them develop independence and strengthens their motor skills.
While some 14-month-olds may already be talking, it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. There’s no need to worry if your child isn’t talking yet—they will learn in their own time. Keep communicating with them using simple sentences, speaking clearly without baby talk. This will aid in their language comprehension and fluency development.
If your toddler consumes approximately 16 ounces of milk daily, there’s typically no cause for concern. However, if their milk intake exceeds this amount, ensure they consume iron-rich foods. It’s advisable to discuss the possibility of adding an iron supplement with your toddler’s healthcare provider.
You may have noticed that forcing kids to sleep is quite a challenge. If your 14-month-old is resistant to bedtime, the best approach is to provide them with the tools they need to relax and fall asleep and then let them decide. This involves offering opportunities for active play during the day, establishing a consistent and soothing bedtime routine, and turning off screens at least an hour before bedtime.
1. American Academy of Sleep Medicine: Recommended Amount of Sleep Pediatric
2. Better Health: Children’s Feet and Shoes
3. Caring for Kids Canada Pediatrics Society: Your Child’s Development: What to expect
4. Children’s Minnesota: The Senses and Your 1-to-2-years
5. Healthy Children: Serving Sizes for Toddlers
6. Healthy Children: Cow’s Milk Alternatives: Parent FAQs
7. KidsHealth: Feeding Your 1-to-2-year-old
8. Mayo Clinic: Infant and Toddler Health
9. Raising Children: 12-15 months: Toddler Development
10. World Health Organization: Weight-for-age BOYS: 6 months to 2 years
11. World Health Organization: Weight-for-age GIRLS: 6 months to 2 years
12. World Health Organization: Length-for-age BOYS: 6 months to 2 years
13. World Health Organization: Length-for-age GIRLS: 6 months to 2 years
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