Developmental milestones for your baby - 27 months

Your angel's face is 27 months old! You probably wonder why she behaves differently when at home and outside. She is probably the most well-behaved in her playgroup but quite the brat at home. Don’t worry, your baby is learning to adapt herself according to her environment, depending on how much they can trust the person around. Trusting you, the parent the most could mean pushing your buttons to the maximum limit possible! 

Here is what to expect at this age: 

• Speech: They are developing their ability to make letter sounds, but may still not be easily understood. Mixing up the order of the words in a sentence is also quite common. Their vocabulary, however, is increasing day by day. Keep talking to them, using new words as much as possible. They are grasping it at a fast pace. A 27-month-old who is not talking at all is a cause for concern. Do discuss speech concerns with a speech therapist. 

• Repeated activity: Tired of reading the same book for the 10th time in a row? Read it again! Because your little chick is learning something new with every repeated action. Also, the little scientist in her wants to see if the same action always yields the same result.   

• Play: Your child is beginning to enjoy playing side by side with other kids, doing the same activity or sharing a few toys. A precursor to playing with them as they get older. 

• Stranger anxiety: Your little one may be afraid of the visit to the doctor or hairdresser. Try not to change your doctor or barber often. Having to visit the same people regularly will help your baby gain familiarity with them.

• Potty Training: This is the time frame most babies become mature enough to understand potty training, still not old enough the resist it. So if you are planning on potty training, this might be the right window. 

• Teething: Your bundle of joy is probably cutting his second molars. And it can be quite painful. So be patient with those tantrums mummy. This too shall pass. 

• Sleep: Most 2-year-olds need around 13 to 14 hours of sleep every day. Every child is different though and your baby may need more or less also. Have a consistent bedtime routine to help develop healthy sleep habits. Put her to bed before she is overworked and tired, which can lead to tantrums and delay sleep even more.  

• Food: Continue to offer a variety of healthy options to your toddler 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. Children at this age prefer finger foods to full-course meals, so offer them plenty of finger foods that are easy to pick and eat. Also, expect appetite to be different each day as they are growing. Don’t insist on 1 roti today as they ate 1 yesterday. If your baby drinks milk, switch to low-fat milk instead of full fat. 

• Manners: Your babe is watching and learning from you all the time. So use the opportunity to teach your toddler manners by being a good role model. Use the magic words – please, thank you and sorry wherever needed. Be kind and consistent. Your baby will soon follow suit. 

• Tantrums: Exhausted with your baby demanding unreasonable things all the time? Understandable! But think of it this way. Your little button is learning that he can have control over certain things. Plus he is teething which can be painful. Plus his immunity is only growing so there are days he has an upset tummy or a running nose. All of this together gets him to make the most unreasonable demands. Give in when the demands are harmless. Stand firm and patient where safety is concerned. 

Talk, talk and talk more to your little doll. While working around the house, keep her beside you and describe what you’re doing. Ask her questions to encourage two-way communication. It will help immensely in increasing her vocabulary and a much better alternative to passive one-way communication during screen time. Activities like lacing and beading are good to keep them busy while working on their motor skills. So are puzzles and push and pull toys.

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!