Developmental milestones for your baby - 28 months

Your buttercup is 28 months old! He is all over the place now, running, climbing, moving at a pace you find hard to keep up with! To ensure you have baby-proofed the house as you might be surprised at the places he can reach out to, the second you’re not looking. While he is adorable in so many ways, he is also testing you in a hundred different ways. Here’s what to expect to keep you better prepared: 

• Speech: While your cherub is picking up new words on a daily basis, her grammar may not be perfect. Don’t stress over her mistakes. Keep talking to her using the correct language and she will grasp it all. If your little one is still not talking, or if you feel he needs help with speech, consult a speech therapist to be sure. 

• Potty Training: This is the time frame when most babies become mature enough to understand potty training but still not old enough to resist it. So if you are planning on potty training, this might be the right window. Teach your girl to wipe carefully from front to back. Teach your boy to pee sitting down, since good aim may take some more time to develop. 

• 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: Encourage self-feeding as your little dumpling should be able to self feed fairly well now. Continue to offer 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. 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, give low-fat milk instead of full-fat milk. 

• Divergent behavior: Kids this age may display divergent behaviors. For example, some 28-month-olds will be afraid of trying out new things while others will be very adventurous. 

• The trouble with Transitions: It might be tough for your kid to stop playing and get dressed, or to quit splashing in that puddle and walk the rest of the way to school. Lots of patience and verbal warnings can help you get her moving along.

• Separation anxiety: Your child may experience separation anxiety when separated from his parent. If you’re planning to put him in a playgroup, keep goodbyes short and sweet, and reassure him you'll be back. 

• Resists affection: Some toddlers this age may start resisting your smooches and kisses. That’s their way of letting the world know they are independent. Don’t worry this phase will soon pass. 

Your bundle of joy can be quite eager to help so engage him in all sorts of chores. Be it cooking, putting clothes to wash, drying up dishes, folding clothes...let them exercise their motor skills and enjoy the help while it lasts! 

Engage your child in as many creative things as possible. Arts, crafts, music....be appreciative of their efforts and turn a blind eye to the mess!

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!