24-Month-Previous Child: Feeding, Sleep, and Milestones by Month

As your little one reaches their second birthday, you’ll possible discover important modifications of their bodily skills, language expertise, and social interactions. Reaching 2-year-old milestones represents an thrilling time for you and your toddler as they method 24 months with newfound independence and confidence. This text will discover key facets of your 24-month-old’s progress, together with feeding, sleep, and developmental milestones.

At 24 months, your toddler is advancing in a number of areas of improvement. Right here’s what most 2-year-olds can do within the following areas:²

Your 24-month-old’s motion is changing into extra refined, and they can:^1,2,3

• Stroll with confidence and steadiness
• Run with out falling continuously and are available to a cease from operating
• Kick and throw a ball with higher coordination
• Start to steadiness on one foot or leap with each toes off the bottom
• Stroll (not climb) up or down just a few stairs with assist from holding a hand or railing

At this stage, their wonderful motor expertise are bettering quickly, permitting your 24-month-old to:^1,2,3,4

• Draw primary shapes like circles and contours, displaying management over their hand actions
• Flip the pages of a guide independently
• Stack eight blocks and begin constructing easy buildings
• Full puzzles with just a few items
• Use utensils with extra accuracy and precision, often maintaining them right-side-up and feeding themselves with a fork or spoon with much less mess
• Flip knobs, flip switches, push buttons, and open containers on their very own
• Present curiosity in dressing and undressing themselves, reminiscent of eradicating their pants or placing on their footwear
• Presumably begin to present indicators of hand dominance with whichever hand they use to throw, eat, or unscrew a lid

Language and Communication

Your toddler’s vocabulary is increasing considerably at 24 months! Questioning what number of phrases a 2-year-old ought to know? They can converse 50-100 phrases or extra at this age, together with easy phrases or sentences reminiscent of “Need cookie!” or “Massive truck.” Folks they’re near ought to perceive their speech more often than not, and even unfamiliar adults ought to be capable of perceive them 50% or extra of the time.⁵

Many 24-month-olds will even be capable of:^1,2,3,4,6

• Observe easy two-step directions, like “Decide up your toy and put it within the field”
• Ask “What’s this?” after they’re inquisitive about new objects
• Start to make use of pronouns like “me,” “you,” “my,” and “mine”
• Perceive and use some prepositions like “on” or “underneath”
• Ask some primary questions like “The place’s mommy?” or “Why?”
• Use extra advanced gestures in addition to waving or pointing, reminiscent of signal language, shaking their head no, or blowing kisses
• Perceive and use verbs or motion phrases
• Take pleasure in listening to books

Social and Emotional Growth

Social interactions change into extra advanced as your toddler grows. They are going to:^1,2,3,7

• Start to point out indicators of empathy, reminiscent of providing consolation to others or attempting to assist when somebody is upset
• Gauge tips on how to react in a state of affairs by taking a look at your face for a response
• Take part in parallel play alongside (although not essentially with) different kids
• Presumably begin to interact in easy cooperative play with different kids (however parallel play predominates at age 2)
• Show extra defiance or independence, expressing their needs or frustrations by way of tantrums
• Start to acknowledge and label feelings like completely happy, unhappy, or offended
• Present an attachment to their favourite toys or consolation gadgets (like a blanket or stuffed animal) and doubtlessly hunt down safety objects

Your 24-month-old is changing into extra conscious of the world round them, demonstrating cognitive progress as they:^1,2,3

• Start to grasp ideas like “massive” vs. “small” or “in” vs. “out” and sequence and timing phrases like “earlier than” or “after” and taking turns
• Take pleasure in actions that contain problem-solving, reminiscent of form sorters, cup stacking, or easy puzzles
• Imitate grownup duties, reminiscent of pretending to prepare dinner or clear or “taking care” of dolls and stuffed animals
• Perceive tips on how to use sure instruments or writing devices, even if you happen to should show first
• Perceive that they will use every hand for various duties, like holding a jar in a single hand and unscrewing the lid with the opposite
• Start to conceptualize sure properties and concepts, like shade and form

Witnessing your little one grasp their 2-year-old milestones is thrilling and should fill you with delight! Supporting them with correct diet, sleep, and actions also can assist them meet these targets.

At 24 months, your toddler needs to be consuming three meals a day plus one to 2 snacks. Their common day by day energy needs to be someplace between 1,000 and 1,400, although this will differ enormously by the day and week, relying on their exercise degree and progress.⁸

Talking of progress, anyplace from 22 to 34 kilos on common is usually a regular weight for a 2-year-old, relying on the kid’s intercourse and top. In the meantime, the typical 2-year-old top ranges from 31.5 to 37 inches, relying on the intercourse. If you happen to’re involved about your little one’s measurement, their pediatrician ought to be capable of reassure you or present strategies on their progress and diet.⁹

Whereas it may be straightforward to get labored up over your toddler’s weight and weight-reduction plan, attempt to give attention to their weekly diet as an alternative of their diet in every meal or day. Supply the identical number of meals you feed the remainder of the household, together with balanced meals that assist progress and improvement.⁸ Listed below are some basic pointers for what kind of meals to feed a 24-month-old:⁴

• Protein: Meat, poultry, seafood, nuts (chopped), nut butters, eggs, beans, and tofu
• Fruit and veggies: Recent, cooked, frozen, or canned fruits and veggies in water or 100% fruit juice
• Grains: Complete-grain bread, pasta, rice, oats, and cereals
• Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and many others.

A typical feeding schedule for a 24-month-old may appear to be:

7:30 a.m.
Breakfast: Oatmeal with peanut butter and berries
10:00 a.m.
Snack: Complete-grain crackers with cheese
12:00 p.m.
Lunch: Laborious-boiled egg, thin-sliced apples, and yogurt
3:00 p.m.
Snack: Cucumber sticks and hummus
5:30 p.m.
Dinner: Baked hen, roasted cubed candy potatoes, and steamed broccoli

It’s essential to proceed providing quite a lot of meals, as choosy consuming can change into extra widespread at this age. Be affected person, and keep away from making mealtime worrying by consuming meals collectively as a household and providing new meals alongside acquainted favorites.⁸

Sleep stays a important facet of your toddler’s well-being at 24 months. However precisely how a lot sleep does a 2-year-old want? Many kids this age ought to have 11-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour interval, together with one nap throughout the afternoon. Up to now six months, your little one possible dropped from two naps down to 1, however they need to dangle onto this one nap till a minimum of age 3, if attainable.¹⁰

Naps are important to a 24-month-old’s day by day routine; they assist with reminiscence, studying, language, and even motor expertise.¹⁰ Subsequently, sufficient daytime and nighttime sleep aids them in reaching these 2-year-old milestones! Your little one’s nap could final between one and three hours — simply make certain it ends a minimum of three to 4 and a half hours earlier than their nightly bedtime to guard in a single day sleep.

A 2-year-old’s bedtime can differ relying on their nap wake time and your loved ones’s schedule. Sticking to a routine is extra essential than the precise hour or minute, however right here’s a pattern 2-year-old sleep schedule:¹⁰

7:00 a.m.
Day by day get up
1:00 p.m.
Naptime
3:00 p.m.
Nap get up
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime

It’s essential to maintain a constant day by day schedule and bedtime routine to assist your toddler anticipate sleep and settle in for the evening. A quiet, calming routine that features actions like taking a shower, studying a guide, and dimming the lights can sign to your little one that it’s time for sleep.^10,20

Toddlers love routine, so making a predictable schedule is useful to your 24-month-old. It could possibly assist them really feel safe and perceive what to anticipate all through the day.¹⁰ Right here’s an instance of a typical day by day schedule for a 24-month-old:

7:00 a.m.
Get up, diaper change, dress
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast and clear up
8:30 a.m.
Free play
9:00 a.m.
Morning stroll or outside play
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack
10:30 a.m.
Inventive play, reminiscent of artwork or make-believe
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Nap
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack
3:30 p.m.
Music and dancing
4:30 p.m.
Youngster helps with dinner prep or has free play
5:30 p.m.
Dinner and clear up
6:30 p.m.
Bathtub time
7:00 p.m.
Bedtime routine
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime

You’ll be able to modify this schedule based mostly in your toddler’s and household’s distinctive wants, however setting a day by day rhythm helps with transitions and emotional stability.

At 24 months, widespread diseases are frequent. It could possibly really feel like your little one is all the time growing a brand new sickness (and infrequently bringing it dwelling to you!), however with time and publicity, their immune system will proceed to mature.¹⁵ Wash palms continuously and give attention to correct hydration and diet, and your family needs to be restored to well being earlier than you realize it. Moreover, it’s essential to proceed immunization schedules to guard in opposition to severe diseases. So, make sure that to remain on high of vaccinations as suggested by your pediatrician.¹⁶

Listed below are some widespread diseases to pay attention to and monitor your 24-month-old for:

Contact your pediatrician in case your little one has a excessive or persistent fever (over 100.4 levels Fahrenheit for 3 or extra days). You also needs to contact them in case your little one has different regarding signs alongside the fever, reminiscent of lethargy, excessive fussiness, or showing very sick.¹¹

Sadly, toddlers can have six to eight (or extra) colds per 12 months, particularly in the event that they’re in daycare. The widespread chilly could cause a sore throat, congestion or a runny nostril, an earache, inexperienced mucus, and a cough. These signs can final practically two weeks, but when they persist or worsen, contact your little one’s pediatrician.¹²

The widespread chilly, congestion, allergic reactions, swimmer’s ear, dental ache, and ear infections can all trigger ear ache. Your little one could also be unable to articulate that they’re experiencing ear ache, so look ahead to indicators like pulling on the ears, fussiness, or bother sleeping. True ear infections could be attributable to both viruses or micro organism, and solely bacterial infections will enhance with antibiotics. In case your little one is experiencing persistent ear ache, take them to the pediatrician, who will look at your little one to find out if they might profit from antibiotics.¹²

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, ache, or fever might sign a abdomen virus or gastroenteritis. Guarantee your little one stays hydrated with an oral rehydration answer, and you should definitely have everybody wash their palms recurrently and sanitize high-touch surfaces and restrooms throughout an an infection. Don’t share meals or drinks together with your little one to mitigate the unfold of the virus.¹³

Rashes could be attributable to a virus, a contact response, allergic reactions, warmth, drugs, and extra. If a rash accompanies issue respiratory or swallowing, name 911 or go to the closest emergency room. If different rashes don’t go away, are widespread over the physique, or transfer to delicate areas just like the face, palms, or groin, you need to contact a health care provider.¹⁴

At 24 months, your toddler is keen to discover and develop new expertise. Listed below are some enjoyable actions that promote progress:

• Development video games: Assist your little one create towers and buildings utilizing blocks, magnetic tiles, or constructing bricks like Legos. This exercise helps them pursue objectives, study gravity (as their towers fall over), and strengthen their hand-eye coordination and wonderful motor expertise.^17,22
• Imaginative play: Encourage your toddler to interact in faux play with dolls, animals, or kitchen toys to foster their creativity and social improvement. Take part of their imaginary world to bond with them as properly. You should utilize faux props and make the storyline easy to maintain your little one engaged.¹⁸
• Easy puzzles: Two- to four-piece puzzles are good to your 24-month-old and may help with their problem-solving and wonderful motor expertise. Doing puzzle play at age 2 may even assist foster spatial consciousness afterward when your toddler reaches age 4 or 5.¹⁹
• Out of doors actions: Using a tricycle, climbing on a jungle health club, or occurring a nature stroll all assist develop gross motor expertise. These actions also can expose your little one to daylight throughout the day, which can promote sound sleep.¹⁰

It may be overwhelming to really feel like you need to entertain your 24-month-old all day. However when doubtful, comply with their lead! They’ll information you towards their pursuits, and you might take pleasure in doing an exercise they love. If you happen to’re operating out of concepts, contain them in no matter you’re doing! My nearly 2-year-old likes to “assist” load the laundry into the washer, mop the flooring, or combine up dinner on her helper stool.

Security is the highest precedence for fogeys of explorative toddlers. As they change into extra cell and curious, they might get into dangerous conditions if not carefully supervised. Maintain these security suggestions in thoughts:

It’s best to solely permit consuming when your infant is seated upright. All the time reduce meals into small, manageable items, and keep away from meals like complete grapes or exhausting sweet. Additionally, pay attention to nonfood choking hazards, reminiscent of marbles, cube, small recreation items, and button batteries.⁴

To keep away from falls, educate your little one to not climb on excessive furnishings and counter tops. Maintain sharp furnishings corners padded, and set up security gates on stairs or maintain stairway doorways locked. Additionally, maintain your furnishings away from any window openings and balconies, which your little one might climb over and fall off of. As well as, be sure that home windows can’t be opened greater than 4 inches.^4,21

By no means depart your toddler unattended close to water, whether or not they’re in a pool, bathtub, and even close to a bucket of water. Shut the lavatory door and bathroom lid. Empty any buckets and swimming pools as quickly as you’re accomplished utilizing them. Train your little one to keep away from water, and take into account having them take swimming classes, however don’t belief that your little one will be capable of swim sufficiently in a drowning state of affairs.⁴

Guarantee your toddler is securely strapped in an applicable automobile seat based mostly on their measurement and weight. Maintain them in a automobile seat (which needs to be correctly put in) so long as their measurement will permit, and maintain them within the again seat till a minimum of age 12. Additionally, by no means depart your little one unattended in a automobile.⁴

To keep away from burns, by no means depart sizzling liquids or handles close to the sting of a floor the place they are often spilled. Maintain kids away from sizzling home equipment like burners, sizzling plates, ovens, irons, and hair styling instruments. You’ll be able to stop scalding by setting your water heater to no larger than 120 F. You also needs to examine your smoke detectors recurrently, create a fireplace escape plan, and never permit smoking in your house.⁴

Moreover, it’s essential to guard your infant’s pores and skin from the solar. To forestall your little one from getting sunburned, apply mineral sunscreen half-hour earlier than any solar publicity and ensure to reapply each couple of hours.⁴

Retailer poisonous chemical substances like cleansing provides, drugs, and different hazardous gadgets out of attain or in locked cupboards. It’s finest to retailer all chemical substances of their authentic containers and supervise your little one at others’ houses so that they don’t by accident come into contact with any harmful chemical substances. If any unintentional ingestions do happen, contact poison management straight away.⁴

Your new 2-year-old will proceed to develop, develop, and be taught by the day! Witnessing their progress and aiding them could be each difficult and rewarding. By maintaining a constant routine, specializing in wholesome consuming, and offering alternatives for exploration, you possibly can assist their studying and guarantee they attain their 2-year-old milestones with confidence. Don’t neglect to cherish these moments as your toddler’s persona and skills proceed to blossom!