18-Month-Old Child

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under the age of 18 months steer clear of screens — phones, tablets, TVs — altogether (an exception is video chatting with a loved one). 

But even after your child turns 1½, you should still keep your toddler’s screen time to short, supervised doses. Even educational shows or apps can’t give toddlers much of a brain boost — for that, they need to interact with the world around them, including the people in it. 

To kick off a healthy relationship with the TV (and the tablet, and the phone), be selective about what you show your toddler and when you show it to her. Choose short, gentle shows, watch them with your child whenever possible, keep the screens out of the bedroom and turn off the TV when no one is watching it.

Up until now, you’ve probably been hesitant to give your toddler a pencil or pen. And for good reason: They’ll be all over the wall (or in her mouth) within minutes. 

At this age, many toddlers want to try a wobbly hand at scribbling. Give her some non-toxic, chunky crayons to hold and a large sheet of newsprint to draw on. You’ll have to point out that she has to draw on the paper — not on the books, walls or floor — but eventually, your little artist will get the hang of it.

In the past, 5 o’clock may have been “happy hour.” Now, it’s more like the witching hour, as your toddler is more high-strung from her busy day than in the mood to relax.

If you work from home, try to unwind before you pick your toddler up from day care or walk through the front door. Listen to some music in the car or visualize some waves lapping on the beach. 

If you’ve been at home with your toddler all day, unwind together by cuddling up with some nursery rhymes or listening to music. If your little one is hungry, feed her a healthy “appetizer” to tide her over until dinnertime.

Not all toddlers who wander are lost, but they are at risk for an injury if they stray too far from you. If your tot’s idea of fun is playing catch-me-if-you-can on a crowded sidewalk or busy store, she may have to take a seat — in her stroller.

In less crowded areas, like the park, you can always let your toddler lead the way, and even stay a few paces behind. Just make sure she’s close by and within eyesight. All it takes is one second for her to dash off.

Cleaning a few baby teeth was no big deal. But now that your little one is sporting an almost-full set of toddler teeth, your brushing routine is more important than ever.

Start by brushing your tot’s teeth at least twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a rice grain, ideally for two minutes at a time, after breakfast and in the evening after her evening snack. You can help pass the time by singing a song as you brush, like “Happy Birthday” or the “ABC Song.”

Although you’ll have to be the one wielding the toothbrush at this age — children lack the fine motor skills to go it alone until they’re between the ages of 5 and 8 — you can still teach your toddler the proper technique by having her face a mirror and brushing her teeth with your hand over hers.

You have hand-stitched quilts and truck-themed blankets just waiting to be put to use. But does that mean you should put them in your toddler’s crib just yet? Not necessarily.

According to the AAP, there’s no official age at which it’s 100 percent safe to give a toddler a blanket, quilt or comforter. (Babies ages 12 months and under definitely shouldn’t sleep with anything in their crib, since it can pose a SIDS risk.)

That said, most medical professionals say that after the age of 18  months, the risk of soft bedding poses little danger to a child, so it’s likely okay to introduce a thin blanket or a special stuffed animal to her bedtime routine.

A glass of fruit juice may sound wholesome and nutritious, but all too often, these drinks are loaded with sugar, upping your tot’s risk of tooth decay. 

While there’s nothing wrong with an occasional splash of the stuff, experts recommend that toddlers are limited to no more than 4 ounces of juice a day — about half the size of a standard juice box. Stick to 100 percent fruit juice and dilute it with water to lower the amount of sugar your child takes in.