Well Baby Report -  1 Year Guide

What to expect at your ONE-year visit
Here are a few things your doctor might discuss with you at the one-year visit.

• Your toddler will probably begin walking soon. Make sure to take extra precautions to protect against falls and bumps.
• Safety is of increasing importance. Please review the safety guidelines below.
• Your 1-year-old is becoming more receptive to language. He or she will start to understand words and phrases that are familiar, such as mommy, daddy, ball, or cup.
• Toddlers might begin to invade older siblings space and possessions. Be supportive of your older children and allow them to have some of their "own" things.

• DTP series (#4) (12-18 months)
• Hib (#4)
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (#3) (6-18 months)
• Polio vaccine (#3)
• MMR (#1)
• Varicella Zoster (#1)
• Pneumococcal 7-Valent (#4)(optional)

Today's Report For Your 1-Year-Old

Child’s name  

Examined by Dr.  

Weight  

%

Length  

%

Head  

%

Hepatitis B (#3)

Hib (#4)

Polio vaccine (#3)

DTP series (#4)

Varicella Zoster

MMR (#1)

Feeding your toddler
Parents most common concern at this age is "Is my baby eating enough?" Most 1-year-olds are beginning to experiment with independence. They want to feed themselves. You are noticing more food falling on the floor or being played with than entering your toddler’s mouth. Relax. Most toddlers are getting enough to eat, and if they weren’t they would let you know.

What is most important now is setting up a routine. Make sure your child eats around the same time every day and that he or she is eating in the same place. For instance, offer your child food at lunchtime in the kitchen only in the highchair. If he or she is done, take him or her out of the highchair. The eating habits you implement now, will instill healthier eating habits later.

It is important to let your toddler feed himself or herself. Toddlers learn what they like by touching and mouthing it repeatedly. Offer him or her nutritious foods and let him or her decide how much to eat. Sometimes he or she might eat a lot, other days he or she might eat very little. Forcing a child to eat can create eating problems later on. You might also try repeating foods, although he or she might not like broccoli one day, he or she might the next day .If you are feeding your toddler portions of what the rest of the family is eating, make sure you are making his or hers rather bland. Your 1-year-old does not need a great deal of salt. Try to avoid salty, fatty snacks like potato chips. Instead, offer healthy snacks, such as peanut butter on a graham cracker, sliced fruit, and cream cheese on rice crackers.

Remember to avoid foods that could be choking hazards. These include hot dogs cut into round chunks, peanuts, apple chunks, celery sticks, and other hard fruits and vegetables.

Developmental milestones
Keep in mind that children develop at their own rates. These milestones are common to toddlers at this age, but it is completely normal for your child to reach some quickly and others at a slower rate. Milestones can include the following:

• Imitates adult actions
• Speaks and understand some words, enjoys stories
• Begins to take first steps
• Sits alone, but still prefers familiar surroundings
• Follows simple requests, such as "Give to mommy"
• Begins to feed himself or herself
• Drinks from a cup
• Looks for hidden or dropped object
• Waves "bye-bye"
• Stays awake for one hour or longer

How to ease terrible tempers
Temper tantrums tend to begin at around 12 months and taper off at 4 years. That is why it is important to learn NOW why they happen and how to prevent them. You need to keep in mind that tantrums do not occur because your toddler is "being bad." They are simply a way for him or her to express his or her feelings.

• They usually occur because your child is frustrated.
• He or she is unable to express his or her feelings. (He or she is too young to "say" what he or she needs.)
• He or she is not getting what he or she wants.
• He or she doesn’t understand what you are saying.

• Avoid frustrating situations (lots of people, strange situations).
• Do not have him or her do stressful things when he or she is tired (such as grocery shopping).
• Pick your "no’s." Constant correction will likely cause tantrums.
• Don’t make too many plans for your child. Make sure there is some "quiet time" during the day.

• As children begin to pull themselves up, they might pull down tablecloths on which heavy or hot objects have been placed.
• Increased mobility might lead to falls. Use gates at stairwells and install safety devices on windows and screens if necessary. Avoid gates with diamond-shaped slats, which provide footholds for climbing toddlers. Instead use gates with straight, vertical slats and swinging doors.
• Keep sharp objects (knives, scissors, tools, razor blades) and other hazardous items (coins, glass objects, beads, pins, medicines) in a secure place.
• Secure electrical extension cords to baseboards, and cover electrical outlets.
• Do not store toxic substances in empty soda bottles, glasses, or jars.
• All poisonous substances should be placed in a locked cabinet.
• In the event of an accidental poisoning, call the POISON CONTROL CENTER at 1-800-222-1222.
• Upgrade to a toddler car seat when your infant weighs 20 pounds.
• The hot water tap should be set at less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Most burns occur in the bathroom.
• Never leave your infant alone in the bath water; not even for a second.
• Store small appliances, such as hair dryers and radios, away from bathing areas.
• Do not drink hot liquids or smoke while holding your baby, especially now that your baby can reach out.

• Surprise or music boxes
• Puzzles, with two to five large pieces
• Books, song recordings, or sing-a-long videos
• Large, brightly colored blocks to stack
• Large cardboard boxes to crawl in
• Pots, pans, and spoons to bang
• Bathtub toys, plastic measuring cups, boats, and containers

Should I call the doctor?
Yes. If your baby:

• Becomes sluggish or inactive
• Will not eat (not from stubbornness)
• Develops an unusual rash (not prickly heat or diaper rash)
• Has a fever at any age
• Vomits repeatedly
• Has frequent loose, watery bowel movements
• Unusual coughing

Before you call your child's doctor or nurse, write down your child’s symptoms. Take his or her temperature. Have your pharmacy’s phone number on-hand to tell the doctor. Keep a notepad on hand to write down any instructions.