Developmental milestones for your baby - 30 months

Your tyke has turned 2 ½ years old! Time has flown by and he is no longer the tiny nursling he was till a year back. In fact, he is all over the place now, and on most days you are having a tough time keeping up with him. Here is what to expect at 30 months. 

• Speech: Your little moppet probably has a vocabulary of about 150 to 250 words and adding to it at a fast pace. He is speaking 2 to 3-word sentences. A child not talking at this age is a cause for concern and needs evaluation for hearing impairments or needs speech therapy. 

• Tantrums: Tantrums may be still common with some toddlers. However, with increasing communication abilities, you will see them coming down by this age. 

• Independence:  Your tot is capable of undressing himself by now, perhaps even able to pull up her pants and socks. 

• Extreme behaviour:  Your munchkin may display extreme behaviour. He is probably feeling torn between wanting to be a baby again and wanting to be an independent big kid. So he may want to cuddle with you on some days, while on others he may resist doing so. 

• Stranger anxiety: Even if your cub is happy all day at playschool and loves being there in general, she may still show clinginess when you drop her off in the mornings. 

• Motor skills: Thirty-month-olds can usually walk up and downstairs, kick and throw a ball, jump and build towers of blocks.

• Potty Training: At 30 months, many kids are fully potty trained, while others may not have started yet. If you feel your child isn’t ready yet, put it on the back burner and start again a little later. Don’t let accidents frustrate you and provide lots of encouragement. 

• 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. Some may give up on their nap around this time. Try putting them to bed earlier as sleep is extremely important for growth and development. 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. 

Mid-year is when paediatricians schedule a check-up to ensure the child is growing as expected. This is because 2 to 3 years is an age for immense growth. The doctor will question you on motor skills, check your baby’s walking and jumping skills. 

To keep the growing brain engaged, give opportunities to solve puzzles, encourage creative open-ended play with crayons, clay and building blocks. Ensure enough outdoor time by taking your tot to the nearby park daily. When they offer to help with chores, don’t let them down even if they end up doing an imperfect job. It’s doing good for developing their independence. 

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!