If your 23-month-old is having trouble adjusting to new situations, such as a new caregiver or even a new sippy cup, try to keep other aspects of their lives consistent and be understanding. You might be wondering when your 23-month-old will stop asking to hear the same songs over and over again. It’s frustrating, but remember that toddlers learn best through repetition, so try to enjoy this stage of development.
23-Month-Old Development
Your child is making physical and linguistic leaps and bounds, and you’re undoubtedly shocked by the growth they’ve made. Your sweetheart was a clingy infant on your hip a year ago. Your 23-month-old has been developing at a rapid pace, becoming more mobile and talkative, and likely leaning out more frequently (we miss those baby rolls!).
23-month-old weight and height
Average weight of a 23-month-old is 25.9 pounds for girls and 26.3 pounds for boys. At 23 months, the typical height for boys is 34.2 inches and for girls it’s 33.7 inches. Your 23-month-old is developing normally if they are in the correct proportions according to the growth chart that your pediatrician uses to monitor their progress.
23-month-old milestones
Your 23-month-old kid is working on a lot of growth and abilities, and you’ll start to notice some exciting milestones around this time. Some developmental milestones that your 23-month-old could have achieved or be working towards are:
- Motor skills: As early as 23 months, you may notice your baby kicking a ball, walking backwards, or even balancing on one foot while clinging to a solid object, such a chair or a wall. It is possible that they may soon be able to ride a tricycle.
- Speech: By the time a baby reaches 23 months of age, they may be able to utter 50 words or more, and they are likely beginning to form sentences with two or three words.
- Teething: Teething pains might be a sign that your toddler’s lower or upper second molars are coming in. You might not be looking forward to this 23-month milestone, and your little one might need more hugs than usual.
- Potty training: Signs of readiness for potty training can be observed in some 23-month-olds. You can begin if you think they’re ready. Although it may seem like a good idea now, it’s still too soon to force your child to toilet train.
What should a 23-month-old be doing?
At 23 months old, your baby is likely to be constantly learning and discovering new things. A sudden fascination in stair climbing, line drawings, and circular scribbles, as well as social play, may emerge. Additionally, you ought to comprehend almost half of your 23-month-old’s speech.
23-month-old behavior
You’ll start to notice changes in your 23-month-old baby’s behavior—some of these changes are thrilling, while others are a bit more problematic. As your child gets older, here’s some tips on how to deal with new behaviors:
- Tantrums: Keep your toddler well-rested and fed. When a tantrum starts, try to remain calm, help them identify their feelings, and use the art of redirection when you can. Get ready for the terrible twos. It’s normal for a 23-month-old to completely lose control of their emotions—especially when they’re tired or hungry.
- Autism: Your child’s physician will ask you a battery of questions on your child’s behavior during the next two-year visit in an effort to detect autism. If you see anything out of the ordinary, please mention it. (The formal screening is conducted at 18 months.)
- Separation anxiety: Your little one is likely beginning to understand that you may stay put if they tantrum. No matter how difficult it is, you must calmly demonstrate that their emotions will not alter the routine. Say farewell gently and quickly, and tell your child that you will return. Be careful to mention exactly when. To illustrate, “I will return after you have taken a nap.”
- Seeking approval: There will be early indicators that your kid is aware of your acceptance (or disapproval) of some actions, and this is a crucial step in helping them acquire appropriate ones.
Why is my 23-month-old so clingy?
During this time, many children experience separation anxiety. Things might feel both thrilling and terrifying to a 23-month-old baby because of his or her active imagination. Saying things like, “I’m going to go to the store, but I always come back!” will help you reassure your 23-month-old child whenever you leave them in someone else’s care. Tell your child, “See? I came back!” as soon as you get back to the house. If clinginess is really getting to you, try practicing this phrase whenever you go into a different room. Anxiety of being alone will go away when you reassure them.
23-Month-Old Health
Parents’ number one priority at any age is their child’s health. Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding a 23-month-old’s health are:
- We have a 23-month-old with diarrhea. What am I to do?
- There is constipation in my 23-month-old. What am I to do?
- My baby is 23 months old and has thrown up. What am I to do?
- A fever has developed in my 23-month-old child. What am I to do?
23-Month-Old Food
Reducing your expectations while feeding a 23-month-old is a good idea. Younger relatives tend to eat less than their more seasoned relatives, and what they appear to like one day could be completely foreign to them the next. Your 23-month-old infant may also exhibit intermittent dietary preferences. (Recall that we mentioned that children at this age enjoy repetition?) Even while this is relatively typical, it’s still beneficial to provide your toddler with a varied and balanced diet.
How much should my 23-month-old eat?
The recommended daily caloric intake for children aged one to two is the same as that of adults: three or four meals and two snacks. Provide a wide range of foods from the vegetable, fruit, grain, protein, and dairy categories every day.
Appropriate serving sizes for toddlers at this age include pasta the size of a Ping-Pong ball, protein the size of four or five marbles, and chopped vegetables or fruit approximately the size of four dominoes.
How much milk should a 23-month-old baby drink?
Stopping to drink a lot of milk is one of the major developmental stages at 23 months. A 23-month-old infant still needs milk for calcium and vitamin D, but consuming too much of it might prevent them from getting the nutrients they need from a balanced diet. Restrict milk consumption to no more than two or three cups (16 to 24 oz.) daily; the emphasis should be on nutritious meals rather than milk.
What to feed my 23-month-old
Make sure your youngster eats a wide range of foods at every meal and snack. The recommended daily allowance for most toddlers is 3/4 to 1 cup of fruits and vegetables, 1.5 cups of grains, and 4 tablespoons of protein.
Need some ideas for healthy and delicious meals? For a 23-month-old, consider these meal suggestions:
Your Guide to Healthy Food for Toddlers
15 Creative Meal Ideas for Toddlers
23-month-old won’t eat
Are you dealing with a finicky eater? Even while it may not always appear that way, most toddlers do get enough nourishment when their parents offer a variety of meals. However, toddlers often only eat when they’re actually hungry, in contrast to adults who frequently snack for reasons like boredom or habit. Keep in mind that your youngster will be terrified of new meals. Keep an open mind; kids may need to look at new meals many times before they’ll give them a taste. Keep trying, but don’t push them, so they may develop a taste for variety.
23-Month-Old Sleep
Regardless of how you feel about putting your child to bed, you may be curious in the typical sleep habits of a 23-month-old and how to handle disruptions to those habits.
How much sleep does a 23-month-old need?
At 23 months of age, the average baby needs 13–14 hours of sleep per day, split evenly between overnight sleep (11–12 hours) and nap time (1.5–3 hours).
23-month-old sleep regression
Having trouble sleeping with your 23-month-old? Teething, separation anxiety, or a shift in regular sleep schedule are all potential causes of sleep regression. In order to restore your child back to their regular sleeping schedule, you need to identify the cause of the problem and assist them through it. If your child is having trouble getting back on track, maintaining a regular nighttime routine and establishing restrictions (such not sleeping in your room) will assist.
Activities for a 23-Month-Old
With your little one’s newfound balance, there are countless opportunities to play and be active together. Want to know what to do with a baby that is 23 months old? For a 23-month-old, here are some enjoyable things to do:
- Walking games: When you’re out and about without the stroller, a game like “Let’s try not to step on the cracks” may keep your toddler engaged and on their own two feet.
- Pull toys: Now that your child’s gait has improved over the past several months, you might consider getting them a wagon or other wheeled toy with a handle.
- Tricycle or balance bike: To help your two-year-old learn to ride a bike or scoot, shop for a bike, tricycle, or scooter that is specifically designed for that age. No matter where you go, your 23-month-old must wear a helmet.
23-Month-Old Baby Checklist and Tips
- Arrange for a celebration and invite guests to your child’s second birthday.
- Since your youngster has become a competent climber and explorer, it is time to do a third (or perhaps a fourth) phase of childproofing.
- Note down quotations. Write down your child’s cleverest and funniest remarks now that they are expressing themselves in words; it will be a lovely keepsake from their toddler years.
- Your 23-month-old needs a lot of iron, so make sure they eat enough of iron-rich foods. Tofu, fowl, pork, fish, beans, and fortified cereals are all excellent options. Foods rich in iron and vitamin C, which improves iron absorption, can increase the nutritional benefit. Vitamin C is abundant in many fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries.
Before your child’s 24-month physician appointment, compile a note of any concerns you may have regarding the development of milestones, behavioral, and eating and sleeping patterns at the 23-month mark. During the visit, feel free to express any concerns you may have regarding potential developmental delays.