Eighteen-Month Visit

This visit heralds the age of symbolic play. We recommend you engage your child in whatever area he chooses. Never underestimate the power of play. Through play, your child is learning social skills, language skills, and problem solving.

All babies develop at different rates.  Please do not be discouraged or worried, if your child has not achieved the following milestones by 18 months.

At this age, your child should:

  • Walk proficiently
  • Run awkwardly and fall a lot
  • Speak 7–20 words and want to name everything
  • Know parts of the face
  • Respond to simple requests “bring me that toy”
  • Like to show independence and respond with “no” frequently
  • Enjoy imitating parents and begin to eat with a fork

Once your child is about 3 feet tall or can climb out of the crib, it is time to introduce a toddler bed. Typically, this occurs around eighteen to twenty-four months.

Here are some helpful tips to make the transition a little easier:

  • Let them be involved in picking the new bed
  • Put the new bed in their room for a few weeks before the transition period
  • Start the bedtime routine in the toddler bed, and then, if they want, move them to the crib for sleep
  • Let them take day naps in the toddler bed
  • Transfer security objects from the crib to the bed
  • Put the new bed in the position that the crib used to occupy
  • Refrain from making the switch during a high-stress time

At this visit, your child will receive the Dtap and  Hib vaccines. You will also be asked to complete a MCHAT autisn screen questionnaire about your child’s development. If the season is appropriate, your child may also receive the Influenza vaccine.