Developmental milestones for your baby - 26 months

Two-year-olds develop at different rates, so as long as your baby is displaying an upward swing in the growth chart, and is learning new skills, she is on the right path.

Here’s what to expect at age 26 months:

• Your child now has at least 50 words in her vocabulary and can string together a sentence or two. She may even be able to identify a friend by name. She can combine two words into a simple sentence, like “Mommy eat” or “More banana.” She can follow simple instructions and copy actions and words. Keep on chatting and your kid will keep learning. If she isn’t saying anything yet or if strangers can’t understand anything she says, it’s a good idea to check in with his pediatrician just to make sure everything’s okay. A hearing problem may cause speech delay, or she may need speech therapy.

• Toddlers will get into habits you may not necessarily like. Nose picking, gross but normal, maybe one of them.  They may also display an aversion to new foods.  

• Whining is normal and can be triggered by hunger, boredom, over-stimulation, illness, or lack of attention. And while there’s no sure cure, there are ways of reducing the frequency, intensity, and duration. Be patient with them and this too shall pass.

• Growth is modest and consistent during the third year, with females weighing between 23 and 33 pounds and standing 32 to 364 inches tall. Boys weigh between 24 and 34 pounds and stand between 32and 37 inches tall. It is typical for both breastfed and bottle-fed neonates to lose weight during the first few days of life. A bottle-fed baby can lose up to 5% of his body weight, while a breastfed baby can lose up to 10%.However, most infants regain all of their lost weight and return to their birth weight within two weeks.

• Even if you’ve managed to potty train your kid, expect setbacks and accidents to happen. Keep appreciating their efforts.

• A newborn grows roughly one inch every month during the first six months.1 Between six months and a year, growth slows to around a half inch every month.A baby boy's average length at six months is around 26 1/2 inches (67.6 cm), while a baby girl's average length is approximately 25 3/4 inches. (65.7 cm). Boys average 29 3/4 inches (75.7 cm) and girls average 29 inches at one year. (74 cm).

• Your child may be cutting her second molars. It can be a painful process so be patient with their tantrums. It will subside once the teething phase is over.

• With increasing curiosity, the constant ‘Why’ will also increase. They will have a question for almost everything. You may feel exhausted having to deal with it. It’s okay to feel so. 

• With increasing concentration, your baby is too busy focussing on the play to want to take a break for other things. Keep up with her eating and sleeping routine by giving adequate warnings beforehand, so that she is able to mentally prepare her mind to take a break. 

• Kids this age may end up biting or hitting others. Be firm in letting her know that this is not acceptable. 

• Your child may want to stick to 3 or 4 of her favorite foods. Continue to offer her a variety of healthy options and let her make her choice. Offer three meals plus two snacks with healthy options daily.  Eat meals with your child and let your child decide how much he wants to eat. Force-feeding will only develop an aversion to food. Serve them small portions and don’t insist on cleaning the plate. Also, expect appetite to be different each day as they are growing. Don’t insist on 1 roti today as they ate 1 yesterday.

Kids this age will enjoy playing hide and seek. Also, involve them in easy to do art and craft activities, read out books to them to help increase their vocabulary. 

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!