MONTH 16 - MONTH 18
 Please
keep in mind that all babies are unique. Whether your baby
reaches milestones early or late, he has her own developmental
path to follow. The dividing lines between these months are
very fuzzy. If you have any concerns or questions about your
baby’s development, please check with her health care provider.
Brushing teeth
At your child's health care appointment
around fifteen months, his provider may have mentioned the
importance of establishing good oral hygiene. The Academy
of Pediatric Dentistry suggests, however, that dental visits
begin as early as six months. Talk to your child's health
care provider about your child's teeth and whether a visit
to the dentist is warranted at this time.
If you decide to wait on that momentous
first visit to the dentist, it is especially important to
make good oral hygiene at home as part of your child's daily
routine. Choose a toothbrush specifically made for little
mouths. If your child refuses the toothbrush, try at least
to wipe the gums with a soft gauze pad or washcloth. Just
use warm water at this time; wait on using toothpaste until
your child can coordinate rinsing and spitting.
It is not uncommon for toddlers
to refuse brushing teeth. There are some strategies you can
try to achieve tooth brushing success. Remember that many
issues right now are focused on control. When at the store,
let him pick out his own toothbrush (or maybe two) made for
children. Also, let him hold it and examine it. He wants to
know more - and rightly so - about this object being stuck
in his mouth. Each morning and evening (and lunch time if
you are really ambitious), encourage tooth brushing as part
of the routine. Let him put the brush under the faucet and
then brush his own teeth. It may take some time, but eventually
he'll get the hang of it. If he won't hold the brush, another
tactic is for you to brush his teeth but have him give you
a signal (a wave or squeal) when it is time to stop. This
way, he will still feel that he is in control of the tooth
brushing process. Lastly, make sure he sees you and other
family members brush their own teeth. He may want to imitate
your actions while you are modeling good oral hygiene practices.
Boogie Baby
During these three months, your
child is well into toddler hood - asserting his independence,
expressing his likes/dislikes and moving himself all over
the home. One way to channel this boundless energy is to turn
up the volume on your stereo and ask your toddler for a dance.
It is also a great way for you to energize yourself, especially
during those long, late afternoons when you really could use
a nap.
Check with your local library or
mother's groups about neighborhood music classes. At any age
children are interested in music, but toddlers are especially
interested in combining music and movement. Look for classes
facilitated by music teachers who understand the need for
toddlers to get up and boogie. Whether you want to pick up
your child and swirl him around or grab his hands and do the
twist, your toddler will love to share music and dancing with
his favorite person, you!
We have musical instruments in
our Amazing Toy Store that will spark baby's interest in combining
music and movement, such as The Charlie Horse Music Pizza
10 Piece Rhythm Set or the Four Piece Mini Orchestra . With
these toys, he can practice using his hands to manipulate
the instrument and shake, rattle and roll to the beat of the
music. So you may need some earplugs after awhile -- but your
toddler will be happily entertained and learning more about
what he can do.
Momma! Momma!
Typically (but by no means always)
mommy is the primary caregiver or 'Number 1' in the eyes of
a toddler. Some toddlers' affection for mommy to do everything
can intensify around these months. Most mothers waffle between
loving the fact that she is unconditionally adored by her
child and having feelings of resentment that she is seen as
the only one wanted to ... bathe the child, read a book, put
the child down for nap, prepare his meals, etc. No one will
ever argue that primary care giving is not hard, physical
work.
It is not easy on dad either. Again,
typically, he is away from home and looks forward to spending
time in the evening with his family. He may feel frustrated
from the toddler's constant preference for mommy. Fortunately,
with most kids, dad efforts are recognized in child development
and he is awarded with another normal phase later in the preschool
years where he is singled out as the adored adult in the child's
eye.
In the meantime, mom and dad can
work together on helping the child accept both parents as
caregivers. Part of the reason the child prefers mommy is
because she is usually the one throughout the bulk of the
day who provides important primary care giving - changing
the diaper, helping the child go to sleep, holding the child
if he has an ouchie, preparing meals and snacks, etc.
At nighttime, it is important for
dad to step into this role too. For situations where the child
will not accept the dad at all, perhaps mommy needs to step
out for a nighttime walk or dinner with some friends to help
dad and toddler establish their own nighttime routine. Also,
mom needs to resist the temptation to micromanage dad's care
giving skills. Let him development his own style of care giving.
Maybe he'll make some mistakes - but the toddler will surely
let him know the preferred way. Finally, invest in some books
about daddies. Mom can read these books during the day and
talk about daddy coming home in the evening to spend time
with the toddler.
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