Your little one is a year old now, right? Time must have flown by so quickly! So today we'll talk about what to expect, what to discuss, and how to monitor your baby's progress during your 12-month visit. This is a very important checkup for both you and your baby, so it's good to be aware of this.
What happens at this doctor's appointment?
When you go to the doctor, these are the things that usually happen. There's nothing to worry about, everything is done for the good of you and the baby.
1. First take the baby's measurements:
Your doctor or the nurse at the clinic will measure your baby's weight, height, and head circumference accurately. They will record these measurements on a growth chart. This will help you see if your baby is growing at a pace that is appropriate for their age and has grown compared to previous months.
2. Asks you questions and discusses your problems:
Next, the doctor will ask you about your baby. If you have any questions or concerns about your baby, this is the best time to ask them. The doctor will give you advice and keep you informed. In particular, they may discuss the following:
About food and drink
By 12 months, babies are usually ready to switch from formula to cow's milk. If you are still breastfeeding, there is no problem in breastfeeding for as long as you want after a year, and that is very good . Your baby is now moving away from special baby foods and may be more interested in table foods.
The most important thing is to give your baby a variety of soft foods, but be very careful about things that could choke.
About pooping
When you start introducing new foods and cow's milk, your baby's poop may change in color, consistency, and frequency. This is normal. However, if your baby has diarrhea, becomes constipated after a few days, or has difficulty pooping , you should definitely tell your doctor .
About sleep
A one-year-old baby needs between 11 and 14 hours of sleep a day. This includes one or two naps during the day. Some babies are used to sleeping through the night, while others may still wake up once or twice a night. This also varies from baby to baby.
About Baby's Development (Developmental Milestones)
Your baby is probably doing a lot of things by now. The doctor will ask you about these developmental milestones. By 12 months, most babies will be doing the following:
- They call their mother and father "Mom" and "Dad" or by a special name they like.
- They understand when you say "no" (they pause for a moment or stop what they are doing when you say it).
- Wave your hand and say "bye".
- They like social games like pat-a-cake.
- You can put something in a container, just like you put a block in a cup.
- If someone hides something, they look for it.
- Grabbing something and using it to get up.
- Walking while holding onto furniture (like a chair or table) (this is called ``cruising'').
- Pick up small objects using the thumb and index finger (pincer grasp).
If your baby isn't showing one or more of these developmental milestones, or if you feel like he's losing some of his abilities, definitely talk to your doctor about it. Don't panic, but it's important to let your doctor know.
3. Complete Physical Exam:
Next, the doctor will undress your baby in front of you and examine him or her from head to toe. Many things are checked at this time, including skin problems, breathing patterns, and heart rate.
4. Update Vaccines:
There are vaccines that your baby needs to receive at this age. Vaccines are essential to protect your baby from serious diseases. Therefore, it is very important to give them on time. Vaccine schedules may vary slightly from one doctor to another. Therefore, talk to your doctor and find out clearly what vaccines are being given this time and what will be given next.
5. Conducting tests if necessary:
Sometimes, if the doctor feels it is necessary, he or she may order certain tests for the baby. For example, tests may be done to check the baby's lead levels, to check for anemia, or to check for conditions such as tuberculosis.
Keep these things in mind going forward (until the 15th month).
Okay, now that the doctor's checkup is over, there are a few things you need to be aware of until the next checkup (usually at 15 months).
Be careful about food and drink.
- Give your baby whole milk until he or she is two years old. Do not give low-fat or skim milk unless specifically directed by your doctor. Limit cow's milk to about 16-24 ounces (480-720 milliliters) per day.
- Stop bottle feeding as soon as possible and start feeding from a cup . If you are breastfeeding, you can even give expressed breast milk from a cup.
- If you are giving 100% fruit juice, give it in a cup. But don't give more than 4 ounces (120 milliliters) per day. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and soft drinks at all.
- Be sure to include iron-fortified cereals and iron-rich foods (e.g. meat, fish, tofu, sweet potatoes, spinach, beans) in your baby's diet.
- Encourage your baby to self-feed . Give them a spoon and a cup and let them get used to it. At first, they'll lick it all over and drop it on the floor, but that's how they learn.
- When eating or drinking, always have your baby sit facing the table, either in a high chair or a booster seat. It is dangerous for your baby to jump up and down to eat.
- Provide 3 main meals and 2-3 healthy snacks per day at the appropriate times.
- Important: Don't worry if your baby seems to be eating less than usual. During the second year, your baby's growth rate will be slightly slower than in the first year, so their appetite may decrease. Let your baby decide how much they want to eat. If you're really worried about this, talk to your doctor.
- Avoid giving foods that can choke (e.g. whole grapes, raisins, popcorn, pretzels, nuts like peanuts, sausages, hot dogs, large pieces of meat, hard cheese, raw vegetables like carrots, and hard fruits like apples). If you do give them, mash them well and soften them.
- Avoid giving junk food that is high in sugar, salt, oil, and low in nutritional value as much as possible.
Let's help you learn.
- Babies learn best when they work and play with others . So make sure to find time every day to talk to your baby, sing songs, read books (showing pictures), and play together.
- Medical experts say that it is not appropriate for babies under 1 1/2 years (18 months) to watch TV (or any other ``Screen Time'' such as computers, tablets, phones). However, there is nothing wrong with ``Video Chatting'' with grandparents who live far away.
- Create a safe place for your baby to play at home . Give him plenty of time to stretch out, crawl, touch and explore his surroundings.
Daily care and protection
- Brush your baby's teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) . Make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as the first tooth comes in, or by the time they are one year old. To help prevent tooth decay, your doctor or dentist can apply a protective coating called ``Fluoride Varnish'' to your baby's teeth 2-4 times a year.
- Never hit, spank, or scold your baby . If he does something wrong, say "No, son/daughter" and redirect his attention to something else. If necessary, you can also use a short ``Time-out'' (making him sit in one place) for a minute or two.
- When taking your baby in the car, keep them in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until they reach the maximum weight or height recommended by the car seat manufacturer. This is the safest way for them.
- Avoid exposing your baby to direct sunlight as much as possible. If you do go outside, wear clothing that covers the body, wear a hat, and stay in a shaded area. If you can't block direct sunlight with clothing and shade, you can use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Continue to be mindful of childproofing your home:
- Install safety gates to prevent children from accessing dangerous areas such as stairs and kitchens. Tie up curtains and blinds so that they cannot be reached by babies.
- Small toys that can choke, medicines, toxic substances such as cleaning fluids, hot objects (teacups, irons), sharp objects (scissors, knives), and fragile glassware should be locked up and kept in high places where babies cannot reach them or put them in their mouths.
- Keep emergency telephone numbers in a visible place. In particular, remember the number for the National Poisons Information Center in Sri Lanka, 1926 .
- To prevent drowning, keep bathroom doors closed at all times, and keep the toilet seat closed. Be careful if there is water in a sink or bucket. Always supervise your baby when he is in contact with water, such as when bathing him.
- Protect your baby from secondhand smoke . If someone in your home smokes, tell them not to do so around your baby. It greatly increases the baby's risk of developing heart disease and lung disease. The smoke from e-cigarettes is also harmful.
- Do not keep firearms in the home. If you absolutely must, keep them unloaded, locked up, and out of reach of children . Keep the ammunition locked up separately. Make sure the keys are out of reach of children. (This is not particularly relevant to Sri Lanka, but it is good to be aware.)
- If you have any concerns about your family's living conditions (e.g., lack of food, lack of a safe home, financial difficulties), don't be shy about talking to your doctor about them . Do you have any things you need to take good care of your baby? Your doctor can tell you about community resources that you can get help from, or refer you to a qualified social worker.
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, your one-year-old baby's 12-month checkup is a great opportunity to learn more about his or her growth, health, and safety, and to ask any questions you may have. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to share any questions or concerns you may have with your doctor. The doctor is there to help you.
Giving your baby the right vaccines on time, feeding him nutritious food, creating a safe environment at home for him to explore and learn, and caring for him with love and patience are the most important things you can do during this time. We are confident that you are doing all of these things as well as you can! Good luck to you!
` [Baby health, 12-month checkup, child development, baby nutrition, vaccinations, child safety, developmental milestones]
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