To Start Solid Foods?
Generally, babies are ready to start on solid foods around four to six months in age. However, not all babies grow at the same rate and some are ready much earlier than others. Before you introduce your toddler to solid foods, he or she should meet the following criteria:
- Body and head control. Your infant needs to be able to sit upright, with his or her head in an upright position.
- Weight gain. Your child should have roughly doubled his or her birth weight by the time he or she starts solid food.
- No longer expelling food. Your infant needs to be able to keep food and liquids in his or her mouth without spitting them out or pushing them out with his or her tongue.
- Increased appetite. Generally, you should be able to tell that a liquid diet is no longer enough to satisfy the appetite of your little one by paying attention to his or her appetite. He or she will make it clear when it’s time for solid food (perhaps by eying your dinner).
To Start Potty Training?
There are differing opinions on the right time to begin potty training. Some experts say that it’s smart to start early and establish a solid routine, while others argue that it can be counterproductive to force the issue before your child is ready.
Most children become ready to start potty training between the ages of 12 months and 36 months. More important than age, though, are a few key factors. If your child meets the following criteria, he or she is likely ready to begin potty training:
- Understands what waste is and what a potty is. Until your child can grasp the concept of going to the bathroom in the potty, there’s no point beginning training. The cognitive aspect of potty training is crucial.
- Emotionally ready to move on from diapers. You child will need to feel that he or she is actively involved in the potty training; it can’t seem like something that mommy and daddy are forcing upon him or her. There comes a point when children are ready to let go of the security that diapers offer and embrace the independence that comes with using the potty.
- Physically capable of holding it in. Children generally learn to hold in their pee and poop before they learn to release it at will. They also need to learn how to recognize when they need to use the washroom and communicate that information with you.
To Move To a Toddler Bed?
Babies spend half of their lives sleeping, so they can become quite attached to their baby cribs. Some are ready to move to a toddler bed by about the age of 1 ½, while others remain in their crib until they are 3. Generally, it’s unwise to rush the transition. If your child meets the following criteria, it’s probably time to make the move:
- Climbing out of the crib. As toddlers grow, they learn that they can escape their cribs. This can be dangerous, as the fall to the floor can be quite far. To keep a big kid in a crib, try lowering the mattress (which makes the bars higher).
- Asking about a new bed. Introduce your toddler to the concept of a “big kid bed” and let it sink in. It can be scary to move out of the crib, but most kids eventually warm up to the idea.
[email_link]
[twitter name=”name”]
[retweet]
[facebook]