13 Month Old Child Development

Learn everything you need to know about your 13 month old toddler. Track important developments and milestones such as talking, walking, growth, memory & more.

Published on June 14, 2017

Your Growing Baby

New Language Skills & Self-Awareness

Your budding conversationalist is making plenty of effort to communicate with you. He can likely understand the meaning of much of what you say, and his vocabulary is rapidly expanding to help him convey his thoughts. In addition to his own toddler slang ("ba" for bottle, for instance), your tot has likely perfected a couple of words by now. He might love to wave and wish a fond "bye" to visitors, call out for the family cat by name, or—perhaps best of all—say "Mama" and "Dada" when chatting with you.

Despite your tot's blossoming communication skills, he might still become frustrated at his inability to express himself as a little person with big, unpredictable emotions. A range of new feelings such as self-confidence, anxiety, jealousy, and pride can be both exciting and confusing, leaving your toddler laughing happily one minute and rushing headlong into a full-blown tantrum the next. Be sure to offer plenty of affection and encouragement to your kiddo as he practices dealing with new and quickly changing emotions. Help him recognize how he and others are feeling, then give credibility to those sensations.

To bring out whimsy in your 1-year-old, set him in front of a mirror and watch his expressions. He might be fascinated at observing his own reflection: Hey, that's me I see! Look over his shoulder and point yourself out to him, by name, to help him differentiate between himself and his mommy. Enjoy some giggles together as you make silly faces!

Health and Safety Info

Treating Injuries & Illness

Sooner or later your little one's curiosity is bound to get him into trouble. Treating injuries, stings, cuts, and scrapes is all part of the job when it comes to parenting. You can make handling accidents easier on your child (and yourself) by following the old scout motto: Be prepared. With a well-stocked first aid kit kept in a safe yet convenient location, you'll be ready to handle the bumps, bruises, and boo-boos that accompany childhood. Don't forget to inventory your kit regularly to replace used essentials and any medications or supplies that have expired.

But what if your kiddo has more than just a scraped knee or mosquito bite? Are you able to handle a bona fide crisis? If you haven't already taken a certified emergency preparedness course, there's no better time. Begin with the basics of CPR and the Heimlich (did you know babies and toddlers require different lifesaving techniques than adults?), and don't forget about disaster preparedness too. Make certain you have a contact list of emergency phone numbers near the phone and in the diaper bag. If your child attends day care, see that the providers have implemented a detailed emergency plan too.

While an ear infection might not be an emergency, this common childhood illness often calls for a visit to the pediatrician and plenty of extra cuddles and kisses from Mom and Dad. Your toddler might be prone to painful ear infections if his Eustachian tubes (which link the pharynx to the middle ear) are short and small. To treat an infection, the pediatrician might recommend an antibiotic or a wait-and-see approach. Meanwhile, ask for a doctor-recommended, over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help your tot feel better and get some rest.

Must-Knows

Your New Sex Life

Has your sex life all but disappeared since your baby was born? A loss of intimacy for parents of little ones is not uncommon, but if your libido still hasn't rebounded since childbirth, you might be wondering: How do I get it back?

Communication is key in regaining an active, healthy sex life. Begin by discussing your fears, concerns, and feelings to your husband—and listen as he tells you what's on his mind too.

Next, don't be embarrassed to relay your concerns to your physician; she might offer suggestions to make sex more appealing—and comfortable—for you. And unless you're ready to add another baby to your household, talk to your doctor or midwife about contraception. Using a method of birth control you're comfortable with—and trust—allows you to put a potential pregnancy out of your mind and relax during intimacy.

If you're just too tired at night for romance, switch things up! Sex can be fun at different times of the day—maybe over your partner's lunch hour, at your child's naptime, or even in the morning. Schedule an occasional date night to enjoy time alone (even if it's take-out and a movie at home).

Not feeling attractive? Exercise will help you feel better about your body, relieve stress, and boost your mood. After a workout, bathe, do your hair, and don't dare put those flannel pajamas back on! A fresh haircut, manicure, new blouse, or even a long, hot shower can do wonders for a woman's self-image.

Perhaps most importantly, remember that sex is not just about the act itself, but also about intimacy and spending time with your sweetie. You and your husband are more than just parents—you're a couple too, and you need to nurture your relationship.