Parents spend much of babyhood wondering if their child is on schedule. They wonder when they will sleep through the night, roll over, crawl, and walk. Once these milestones have been met then parents start wondering when their toddler will begin talking. Many babies actually begin saying their first words before their first birthday.

The range of what is normal for when your toddler should begin talking is quite wide and there really is no reason to worry until your little one is closer to three years old. In the meantime, parents should simply reinforce vocabulary, read to their kids, and be patient.

Most babies say their first words between 13 and 18 months of age, although there are plenty of 12 month olds that can call their parents and say a few other words.

Concerned parents will be relieved to know that almost three fourths of children can say anywhere from 50 to 250 words by the time they turn two years old. Generally, these words are adjectives, nouns, or verbs. They may be stated simply or strung together to get a point across. Some toddlers at this age may even be able to hold a conversation, but most say simple words or phrases.

Some parents wonder how they will know the exact number of words their child says and if they are a slow talker. A good way to keep up with your child’s vocabulary is to write their words down and count them. Also, if your toddler is not saying more than 50 words by their second birthday you may want to talk to the pediatrician about it. Additionally, if your little one is not saying two word phrases you will want to talk to the doctor. Generally, kids catch up all on their own by the time they are five and there are no negative side effects. However, if your child is not progressing at the speed you think she should it always makes sense to talk to the doctor.

What parents should really be on the lookout for is if their toddler understands them. Kids understand before they can speak. So, if you tell your toddler to throw something in the trash and he does it, you should be proud and thankful that he understands. If your child is older than one and does not seem to understand you then you will want to talk with your doctor.

Teaching your toddler excellent oral hygiene at an early age includes regular visits to the dentist. It is important to visit the dentist twice per year for checkups and cleanings. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toddlers as young as 12 months visit the dentist. This is more to determine that all is well with your child’s dental development and to address any potential problems. Regular cleanings should begin at two years of age.

When your toddler first visits the dentist it is normal for him to be apprehensive. Instead of talking about how the dentist could hurt them or how your child might not like it, focus on the positive. Talk about how the dentist will help your toddler keep their teeth strong and healthy. Also, tell your toddler he is really a big boy if he is old enough to visit the dentist! Most dentists give kids toothbrushes, stickers, and other prizes. Tell your toddler how cool the dentist is and that he gives the good little boys and girls special prizes. This will motivate your child to behave and let the dentist check his mouth.

You should take your baby to the dentist as well if your child has no teeth by age 16 months. Alternatively, if you notice decay or signs that your child’s teeth are not as healthy as they should be then you will want to schedule an appointment with a dentist. In most cases, a pediatric dentist is the best option because they are trained in cleaning little one’s mouths and generally really like kids. Your child will pick up on this and really have fun at the dentist.

Remember, good oral hygiene isn’t just about visiting the dentist twice a year. You will also need to brush your toddler’s teeth twice per day and make sure that the teeth are clean. It’s okay to allow your toddler to brush on his own, but you will need to brush to make sure the teeth are clean, too. When your child is between the ages of 5 and 7 they are better prepared to brush their teeth on their own. Don’t let your child go without brushing their teeth just because they don’t appear to like it or they fight you. It is important to brush their teeth to prevent decay and you will need to make them do it.

Teaching your toddler to brush her teeth is actually pretty easy, especially if you begin early in her life. Toddlers should take good care of their teeth so they don’t have dental problems and so that they develop good dental habits over time. The best way to get started is to let your toddler watch you every day as you brush your teeth and give her a toothbrush with toddler toothpaste. As you are brushing your teeth show your toddler how it’s done. Don’t worry that they aren’t doing it 100% or that their teeth are not getting as good a brushing as yours. What is important is that your toddler is learning how to brush her teeth all on her own and that she is copying you. Toddlers love to be like their parents and to copy them. So, they should go along with brushing their teeth as you are brushing yours. You may find an electric toothbrush is especially helpful because your child’s hand movement won’t matter as much.

As you go about this routine keep in mind that you are showing your toddler that brushing her teeth is an important part of dental care and something you do every day when you wake up and before you go to bed. More than likely your toddler will become accustomed to teeth brushing and won’t mind letting you go over her teeth to “check” them after she is done. She wants you to be proud of her and if you have to check her teeth with her toothbrush to make sure she did a good job, then she will probably let you. Always praise her and tell her what a great job she is doing!

If this routine does not work with your toddler, then you will have to brush their teeth despite their protests. This is hard at first, because you will literally have to hold them down and make them open their mouth while you brush their teeth. Try to explain to them that if they would brush their teeth on their own that you wouldn’t have to do that. Also, tell them that if they open their mouth you will gently brush their teeth to make sure they stay healthy. Over a few days your toddler may resist, but in time they will open their mouths and let you brush their teeth for them.

Is your toddler sick? If so, then you are probably looking for anything possible to soothe and comfort him. No parent wants to see their little one sick and suffering and they are willing to do practically anything to help them feel better. The following suggestions will help you soothe your sick toddler and while you can’t make them better faster you can at least help them feel better in the meantime!

If your child has a fever, then you should give him a cool washcloth on his forehead. This will help him feel a little better and it will refresh him.

If your toddler is congested, then try using some Baby Vapor-rub. This will help relieve the congestion and allow him to breathe easier.

Toddlers who are sick probably don’t feel well enough to do much of anything other than lie around. Distract them from being sick by making a spot for them on your bed so they can watch TV and movies. Or, take a TV into their room. This will keep them occupied and they will enjoy the extra TV time. Read lots of books together, too, so your toddler isn’t just vegged out in front of TV all day.

One of the best ways you can help your toddler feel better is to snuggle with him. Just having you close will make him feel better and it will give you a break, too!

A hot toddy, made with lemon, honey, and apple juice, is great for little toddlers who have sore throats. They think they are getting something special, and they are, with the benefit of feeling much better afterwards!

Another way to help toddlers with sore throats is to give them popsicles. There are many popsicles made with fruit juice that will allow your little one to get some hydration while enjoying a special treat that isn’t full of refined sugar.

Toddlers may enjoy a warm bath when they don’t feel well. They might even be willing to play with some of their bath toys. You could use some of the many bubbles and bath additives that aid breathing.

Soup is always a wonder food when your toddler is sick because it goes down so easily. More than likely, your sick toddler won’t want to eat anything. However, you may be able to get some chicken noodle soup, egg drop soup, or plain broth in them. If so, this will help them feel better and keep them from dehydrating.

These are just a few things you can do to help soothe a sick toddler. Of course, all toddlers are individuals so you will want to do whatever it takes to make yours feel as good as possible. Give in to any reasonable request and offer them water, juice, or any liquid they will drink that does not have caffeine.

When it comes to toddlers and dogs there are several things to keep in mind. Not to mention, the actual dog will make a huge difference in how to handle dogs with toddlers. The following suggestions will help you determine the best way to handle your dog with your toddler.

Dog

The dog should be the first thing to evaluate. If the dog is generally easy going and mild mannered then you will find that these dogs typically tolerate toddlers very well. The dog’s breed will have a huge effect on how they act around toddlers. Labs are great dogs with toddlers as well as many other breeds. I general, you should evaluate the dog with the toddler and see how it goes. If the dog snaps, growls, barks, or attempts to bite the toddler then you should keep them separated at all times. If the dog appears to tolerate the toddler grabbing, pulling, jumping, and screaming then the dog will probably be okay with your toddler. If you are worried at all about your toddler and the dog then do not take a chance. Instead, keep them separated at all times. You don’t want to risk something happening to your little one because you took a chance.

Toddler

You can teach your toddler a great deal about life with a dog. You can teach them how to gently pet the dog and how to love him. You will teach him how to respect animals and how not to be afraid of them. As long as you have a dog that tolerates your toddler quite well then you will be able to teach your little one many lessons.

What to Do

If your dog is old and does not care for your toddler then it is important for your dog to have a place all his own. You want to gate off an area where your dog will feel comfortable and happy and where you won’t have to worry about keeping your dog from potentially harming your child.
When you are out on a walk keep your dog on a leash and your toddler away from him. This may be a challenge at first, especially if the dog has been in your family for a long time. However, when you add a child to the mix it is important to find a way to keep everyone feeling accepted and loved without sacrificing the safety of your child.

Toddlers whine in order to get your attention and get what they want. For some reason, it seems there is a whining gene all kids have that drives parents absolutely nuts. Kids learn early on that if they whine they usually get what they want. So, this perpetuates more whining, just what parents want to avoid. This means if you are a parent and you want to end whining for good, you must stand strong and ignore it in the short run so there will be no more whining in the long run. If you give into whining even once you are sure to hear it again soon!

Calmly Explain

The first thing you can do is calmly explain to your toddler that whining is not acceptable and will not get them what they are asking for. Tell them that if they have something they need to communicate to you then they need to tell you in a normal tone of voice without screaming or whining. Use a normal tone of voice and speak to them in the way you would like for them to speak to you. This is the best way to get them to see how they should be speaking, by example. Sure, it takes time and it is not easy. However, you must be the example for your child.

Ignore

Another option is to simply ignore the whining. When you completely ignore your child when they are whining they will quickly get the message that if they want a response for you they must speak to you as you request them to do. When they do not receive an answer for what they are requesting by whining they will quickly change their tune and behave properly.

Pay Attention

Many times toddlers begin whining for your attention because they aren’t getting enough of it. Because of this you should pay more attention to your little one and make sure they are getting the love and attention they deserve. It’s easy to focus on the housework and other things that must be done, rather than your toddler. Don’t let these special years pass you by because you were too focused on other things. Give your little one that attention and you will probably have less whining and more hugs.

These are just a few suggestions to help you get your toddler to behave as you want them to and stop the whining once and for all. If you are consistent and do not tolerate any whining then you are more likely to change your child and have little to no whining at all!

At some point in time your toddler will likely need eye drops. And, you will be the one responsible for administering them. Most toddlers will not willingly sit still and let you open up their eye to put eye drops in. By nature, toddlers are not still and they are scared of the drops in many cases. They can’t understand that the medicine will help them so they should open their eye. That means you must figure out a way to administer the eye drops successfully without too many tears. Fortunately, there is a surefire way to apply eye drops without any problems or battles!

Eyes Closed

You thought your toddler’s eyes needed to be open in order to successfully administer the eye drops, right? Actually, they don’t! This is the biggest problem because toddlers totally lose it when they see the eye dropper coming closer to their eye. Now, you can avoid the battles and make administering eye drops easy and scare free.

What you do is have your toddler lie back in your lap and close their eyes. Yes, close their eyes. Have them relax and tell them what you are doing. Next, apply two drops in the corner of their eye with their eye still closed. (It should be double the regular does for it to work properly, but ask the doctor to be sure). Now, have them open their eye. As soon as they open their eye the drops will rush in and it will have the same effect as if you had administered the drops with the eyes open. This method works wonders and your toddler will truly appreciate it!

Eyelids

Another option is to have your toddler sit down and let you pull their eyelid out and apply the medicine. This is not always well received either, but it might be a better option in older children. This method works as long as the little one is looking up so they don’t see the dropper and blink.
If you have a toddler or a child of any age that does not like having eye drops put in their eyes then give either of these methods a try. More than likely you will find that it works quite and your toddler allows you to administer the medicine without even a whimper. This is a relief to parents and toddlers and makes the whole process much easier and stress free!

Toddlers squirm a lot and getting them to sit still for anything is a miracle. So, when you need to give your toddler breathing treatments you are probably stressed out about how to get them to sit still so they can get the medicine they need to breathe easier. Believe me, it won’t be easy to get your toddler to sit for breathing treatments without consistency and a plan. However, if you come up with a plan and follow through you will find your toddler is better prepared to deal with his breathing treatments.

Advance Notice

Toddlers don’t like for you to just spring something on them. They like to anticipate things and know what is going to happen. So, always tell your toddler that in 30 minutes they will have a breathing treatment and you need them to get all of their wiggles out first. Ask them to run, jump, and play so that when their breathing treatment comes around they will be more willing to sit still. Of course, if your toddler has extreme breathing issues this may not be an option. However, always tell them that their breathing treatment is coming up and you want them to be extra still so they can get back to what they were doing.

Movie

Toddlers love TV and movies. It’s a good idea to limit TV time for toddlers so that when you do let them watch it they are totally enthralled. Consider letting your toddler watch a movie during their breathing treatment, or part of a movie, that is continued each day during their treatment. They will come to think of their breathing treatments as a special time because they get to watch TV! This will only work if you do not allow your toddler to watch TV at any other time. They need to associate their breathing treatment with being able to watch TV.

Naptime

When your toddler starts getting sleepy you may consider giving them their breathing treatment. Since they are already tired, they are more likely to sit in your lap and be still. Read a book or two to them during their treatment and snuggle with them. Let them turn the pages and talk about the pictures.

Treats

Another option some parents use is to give their toddlers treats after a successful breathing treatment. You could tell your little one that after their breathing treatment they will receive a cookie if they are good. Then only give them a cookie if they truly behave. They will soon see that by sitting still during the treatment that they will receive a treat!

Is your toddler hitting you or other children? As frustrating and embarrassing as this it you should relax because it is part of toddler development. Of course, it is part of toddler development you would like to avoid. Fortunately, you can show your child how to behave and react to situations without hitting. It will take time and effort, but if you are consistent and loving your child will get the message.

Anticipate

Anticipate when your child will hit and grab his hand before he makes contact. This will quickly get your child’s attention that he is doing something he shouldn’t be. Also, it will prevent him from smacking you or someone else. Most of the time toddlers hit because they are overtired or hungry. If you know this about your toddler then ensure he gets enough to eat and always gets to bed and naps on time. When you have a full toddler and a well rested toddler he is less likely to hit out of frustration or to communicate his needs.

Time Out

When your toddler hits because he is angry or at any other time you should give him a timeout immediately and every single time. Do not let him hit you once and give him a warning. Instead, immediately take him to time out and tell him he has one minute in timeout for hitting. Timeouts should be one minute per year. If your toddler won’t stay in time out then sit with him. Do not talk to him or allow him to watch TV or play with toys during timeout. It should be a time when he sits and thinks about what he has done. Or at least realizes he has been taken out of the action for hitting.

Lose Privilege

When toddlers hit they should lose a privilege. For example, if your toddler hits another child because he wants to play with the toy truck then you should take the toy truck away from him and not let him play with it. Let him know that when he disobeys he loses the privilege to play with the toy he wants. This will take a while to sink in, but eventually he will get it.

No parents wants a toddler that hits, however most toddlers go through a hitting stage when they know what they want yet don’t have the words to communicate what they want to you. If you are going through this with your toddler try to remain calm and don’t hit your toddler when they hit you. Go through the recommendations outlined here and in time your little one will be able to convey his needs to you verbally and the hitting days will be behind you!

Parents love it when their toddlers can finally talk because this means they know what they want. Many meltdowns occur because toddlers know what they want, but are unable to express it. Fortunately, parents are able to do many things to help build their toddler’s conversational skills to help them communicate sooner rather than later.

Books

Books are one of the best ways to get your toddler to learn new vocabulary words. You should begin reading to your little one when they are still a baby. Read as many different books as you can and expose your baby to as many words as possible. Doing this will help them learn new words faster, which means they will be able to tell you what they want sooner. It is important to always read books to your toddler because it helps them learn and gives them so much needed time with their mom or dad. Include books in your nighttime routine. Kids who read are smarter, so give your child the gift of books!

Talking

Talk to your toddler like they are an adult. Don’t use baby talk. Instead, talk to them as if they understand everything you are saying and they eventually will. Just take your time and use gestures to help your toddler understand. Always point out everything to your little one from flowers to trees and dogs to birds. You will be naming the objects around them and they will appreciate it. This will build their vocabulary much faster. Also, narrate everything you are doing. Tell your toddler how you are pouring their milk in their cup or mixing their food. Talk to them about putting on their clothes, brushing their hair and teeth, and going outside. When you name activities you are giving your toddler the words they need to express themselves. It will take time, but your toddler will talk!

Sign Language

Teach your toddler sign language and they will be able to communicate with you very early on. Also, toddlers that sign are generally able to verbally communicate their needs earlier than other children. There are books and videos that can help you with this.