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YOUR 19 MONTH OLD BABY'S DEVELOPMENT

19 months old
Dr Simon Carvell
Written by
19th Dec 2023

Your once little baby is now over a year and a half old! This is an exciting time in their development, and you will notice many changes over the next month as they become increasingly toddler-like. 

Here’s what to expect now that your little one is 19 months old:

Baby’s Growth and Overall Health at 19 Months

One of the biggest developmental changes you may notice this month is your baby’s ability to move confidently. This newfound confidence may mean that they frequently try to run off when out and about. 

This can be really challenging to deal with, especially if your little one has the speed of Usain Bolt. To keep them out of danger, it is best to either hold hands or bring a buggy with you to pop them in to keep them safe when near hazards, such as busy roads.

Your baby may seem so big now that they have reached 19 months, but you may be wondering if they are an average size for their age. Well, at 19 months old, baby boys often measure between 76cm and 91cm in height and weigh between 8.2kg and 15kg. At 19 months, baby girls usually measure between 73cm and 83cm in height and weigh between 7.8kg and 14.8kg. 

It is important to note that every child is different, but if you are concerned about your child’s weight or height, it is best to discuss this with your health visitor or GP.

Baby’s Sleep at 19 Months

How is your little one sleeping at the moment? You may have now discovered a routine that works well for you, and now know what time your tot needs to sleep to prevent them becoming overtired and cranky. 

If you have noticed that your baby has a surge of energy in the evenings and seems to go crazy before bedtime, this can be a sign that they are overtired. This is because being tired can cause a sudden release of adrenaline resulting in them running around just at the time you want to get them settled for bed.

At 19 months, your toddler will need to sleep for around 13 ½ hours each day. This may be broken down into 11 ½ hours of sleep at night, and the rest made up of daytime naps. Aiming for a bedtime between 7pm and 8pm is usually a good idea at this age.

Baby’s Food and Feeding Schedule at 19 Months

Keeping your baby in a routine of eating three balanced meals each day, along with two healthy snacks, is essential. Don’t forget that they also need 400ml of full-fat milk each day. 

The World Health Organization recommends that babies are breastfed for at least two years, so if you are still on your breastfeeding journey, keep going for as long as you wish.

The NHS recommends that children are given vitamin A, C, and D supplement drops each day unless they are drinking 500ml or more of milk each day. Speak to your health visitor if you are unsure whether your little one needs supplements or you are unsure which ones to use.

Your tot should be drinking out of a cup confidently now. Drinking out of a bottle can lead to them developing tooth decay. It is advisable to also start booking your child in for dental checkups every six months.

Baby’s Personality at 19 Months

Your baby may now be quite chatty, and you may be able to recognise at least a few of the words that they say. At 19 months, children are often very determined and will start to assert themselves. 

This can mean that they show their dislike when you do things that they are not happy about. Washing their hair is an example of this. You may also notice that your tot starts to have the odd tantrum every so often at this stage.

Baby’s milestones at 19 months

  • Is able to point out body parts such as their head or their foot if you ask them to do so.
  • Can turn over the pages of a board book to look at the pictures.
  • Will look at you for your reaction when something happens, such as a loud bang. This is their way of seeing how you respond, and they will imitate this.

Games and Activities for Babies at 19 Months

Are you looking for extra ways to support your 19-month-old’s development? If so, these activities could help:

Keep Chatting

Continue to chat with your toddler as much as you can to help them develop their communication skills. You could try taking it in turns to talk into a toy telephone.

Introduce them to the idea of using the toilet

While potty training is still a little way off, you may want to start sowing the seeds now by familiarising your 19-month-old with the toilet. Letting them see you use the toilet and hearing the sound of the toilet flushing is a great way to make potty training a little less scary when it is time to get started.

How mum's feeling at 19 months postpartum

 

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Mum's View

"I'll be the first to admit, body positivity hasn't come easy to me. Learning to accept my post-partum body was hard but after while I learned to embrace my new ‘mum tum’ and I soon felt so much more at home in my own skin. I looked at my soft, squishy belly and instead of disappointment and shame, I felt proud and empowered!"

 

Mum of 2, Sally

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Mum's View

"Parenting is amazing but it's also relentless. The responsibilities, the constant demands, the endless to-do lists...

I used to feel so guilty when I felt like I needed some time apart from my babies (good old mum guilt!) But eventually I came to realise that it wasn't a bad thing."

 

Mum of twins, Hannah

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Mum's View

"I don’t think you can fully explain what being a parent is like. The sensory overload is extreme. So much noise, so much tiredness, so much love that you feel like you might burst. So! Much!

I dived straight in to the chaos and it was more than I could have dreamed it’d be. Sometimes I felt like I was drowning, other times I’d blissfully float on the surface.

It’s taken a while, but I’ve emerged between two worlds. A kind of hybrid between Motherhood and Myself."

 

Mum of 3, Rebecca

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Parents' tips this month!

 

baby wishlist
How I potty trained like a pro (or at least tried to!)

Mum, Gemma shares her potty training tips for a stress free experience...

 

What to expect from your child at month 20

 

 

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