Congrats on making it to the 1-year mark! You've built a strong foundation with your child. Now it's time to focus on quality time, transitions in feeding, sleep, and fostering development in meaningful ways.
Key Concepts: Attachment
- You made it! 1 year in the books. You’ve survived so much, built an important foundation, gotten to know each other, and gained confidence in your ability to parent. THIS is a celebration.
- Your relationship with your child is not connected to how much time you spend with them. We know from the research that QUALITY time matters more than QUANTITY. We’re already spending A LOT more time with our kids than parents did in previous generations. Working mothers spend as much time with their children as stay-at- home mothers did in the 1970s.
What to Try: Attachment
We know it’s hard and the guilt can be overwhelming, but give yourself permission to stay at work for 15 minutes longer, so you can be more present when you return. When you get home (or walk out of your home office), commit to being present for 20 minutes. Or, go to drinks with girlfriends, even if it involves missing bedtime. Aim to fit in your quality time at breakfast the next morning.
Key Concepts: Feeding
- Happy Birthday and now you can…drink milk?! At the 1 year mark, babies are encouraged to move from formula to cow’s milk, due to the important nutrients and vitamins it has.
- Up until 2 years of age, it is recommended that your child drink 16oz of milk in a day. Of course, this is way less than what they were getting in their bottles and this is because their solids should steadily increase to 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.
- Toddler formula or toddler “milk” is no longer recommended for babies over 1 years old. These formulas generally do not provide a nutritional advantage to your baby.
What to Try: Feeding
- Pick a bottle in your child’s day and begin to introduce cow milk. Don’t pick the morning or evening bottle, those will be the last ones to do. If you usually do an 8 oz formula bottle, split it up so half is formula and half is cow’s milk.
- It’s okay to keep the morning and evening feeds in a bottle for now, but any milk offered throughout the day should be in a sippy cup or straw cup.
Key Concepts: Sleep
- At the 1-year mark, babies are allowed to sleep with pillows, blankets, and soft toys. While this is OK to do, don’t feel like it’s something you HAVE to start. If your baby is content and cozy in their crib, you don’t need to introduce any of this right now.
- Not all babies form an attachment with a lovie or blanket - that is ok! Security blankets (or “transitional objects”) can be helpful soothing tools for when your little one is tired, upset, or missing you.
- Sleep will continue to be a huge part of development in the second year of life.
What to Try: Sleep
- If you choose to add a pillow, make sure it’s a small-sized pillow - just right for their size :)
- For babies that DO have a security blanket or transitional object, take our word for it and buy a 2nd one (and maybe a 3rd one) of whatever they love. A backup is always a good idea. Plus, they get gross pretty quickly and it’s nice to have a backup when you’re washing the original.
- Continue to practice good sleep habits, prioritize sleep for your little one, and when necessary, adjust any classes or programs in their schedule to accommodate sleep.
Key Concepts: Development
- Getting ready to leave your little one? Consider whether Facetime / checking in over video is the right move for your toddler’s temperament. While it can be helpful and comforting to some, it can definitely be frustrating and confusing to others. You’re “there” but also “not there.”
- The general recommendation is to avoid screen time altogether until baby is over 18 months of age.
What to Try: Development
- If your baby loves Facetime, keep it up! Screen Time limits do not apply to two-way back-and-forth connections like this. If your child doesn’t like it, take the hint. Ask their caregiver to send pictures and videos throughout the day, but avoid Facetime if it doesn’t work. And remember, try not to take this behavior personally.
- We get it. Sometimes we need screen time. If you do introduce a screen, choose high-quality and short shows. Use a TV, not an iPad.
Key Concepts: Relationships
1 year old marks a huge milestone for you and your partner. Celebrate this special occasion with family and friends in a way that feels special to you.
What to Try: Relationships
Avoid the pressure to create the perfect 1st birthday party. This celebration is more about you and your partner, than your little one.