Say “hello” to your two-year-old toddler (plus one month!). What a long way your little one has come in such a short time. Just two years ago, he was a helpless newborn. And now, he’s running, jumping, skipping and maybe even talking! What should you expect in terms of 2 year and 1 month old toddler development milestones*?
Let’s find out.
When to Talk to Your Doctor:
- If your child’s voice sounds unusual (raspy or nasal).
- By this age, your child should be saying words and phrases by himself, not just imitating you. If he still seems to be limited to imitation, ask your paediatrician about it.
- Though your child’s speech might be hard to understand now, you should be able to understand half of his speech at this age. Consult your doctor if he doesn’t use language to communicate more than his immediate needs.
- If your child can’t follow simple directions.
- If your child doesn’t listen to stories with pictures.
Health and Nutrition
Where has all that baby fat gone? Gone are his chubby arms and legs. Suddenly your little tot is lengthening and starting to look more like a preschooler (with preschooler sass to boot).
When it comes to food, don’t be too worried if on some days he devours everything, and on other days, he pushes his meal away. His caloric needs are lower now, so do not stress. He will be just fine if you continue to offer him nutritious meals and snacks.
A 2 year and 1 month old toddler should be getting around 1,000-1,400 calories a day from grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat & beans.
Grains
Ideally, your child should be getting 3 ounces of grains a day; one ounce equals one slice of bread, one cup of ready-to-eat cereal, or half a cup of cooked rice, pasta, or cereal.
Fruits and Vegetables
Your toddler should have a cup of vegetables and a cup of fruits a day. Cut fruits and veggies into small pieces to prevent choking.
Milk
As for milk, your child should have 2 cups a day, though you can substitute this with other dairy products like yoghurt and cheese.
Protein
Your child should be getting protein from meat and beans to help him grow — 2 ounces a day is ideal.
In a nutshell, here’s what your child needs every day (refer above for what the amounts look like):
- Fruits: 3 cups for boys and girls
- Vegetables: 1.5 cups for boys and girls
- Grains: up to 3 ounces for boys and girls
- Proteins: 24g for boys and girls
- Milk: 16 to 20 ounces of whole milk for boys and girls (your child does not require formula milk anymore)
- Water: 1200 ml for boys and girls
If you are worried about health issues later in life, you might want to consider switching your tot to low-fat options. But do not go overboard with restrictions because they still need healthy fat to grow. Your growing toddler will benefit from a boost in fibre-rich whole grains, legumes, fruits, and veggies, along with lean sources of protein such as poultry and fish.
Parents with picky eaters can try cutting food into fun shapes or adding food that has natural vibrant colours (e.g. beetroot, carrots, dragon fruit) to make meals more appealing.
Vaccination
Apart from your child’s annual flu vaccinations, there aren’t any immunisations that your child must get if his shots are up to date. But to be sure, consult your doctor.
Because your child’s immune system is still getting used to the great big world, he/she will probably contract the common cold several times in a year. Treat this with fluids and rest, and consult your paediatrician if you want to administer medicine. Your child should recover after five to seven days.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
- If your child’s temperature goes above 40ºC (104ºF), you should immediately call your doctor. This is super important, especially when your child has other symptoms (vomiting, rash, etc.)
- In case of persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, you should consult your doctor to prevent dehydration.
- If your child has trouble breathing.
- If your child loses skills she once had.
Source: Toddler Development and Milestones: Your 2 Year and 1 Month Old
Reference: WebMD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
READ: STUDY: Kahit toddler pa lang, alam na ang tama sa mali
