15 Month Old Child Development

Learn everything you need to know about your 15 month old toddler. Track important developments and milestones such as talking, walking, growth, memory & more.

Published on June 15, 2017

Your Growing Baby

Dealing with "No" & Other New Traits

As your child struggles for independence, he might begin responding to your requests with a boisterous "No!" This sudden defiance can be shocking to parents of an otherwise compliant child—but Baby is a toddler now, and this willful behavior is a typical part of his growth and budding confidence (a sign that you're doing your job as a parent). Continue focusing on the positive with your little one, and be sure you respect his wishes too, by allowing him to make safe and healthy choices when possible.

By now your toddler has perfected the pincer grasp and is still working on his fine motor skill coordination between the arm and hand. A terrific rainy-day activity that shows a relationship between your child's intellectual and motor skills is scribbling. Set out a few jumbo crayons and tape some big pieces of paper to the table—then watch your adorable artist go to work. He might use only one color or a variety in creating his masterpiece, and if you ask him what his drawing represents, he'll probably have no idea. But that's all right, because he's having a blast furiously making straight and squiggly lines and enjoying how the crayon seems to magically leave color behind on the paper.

What other activities does your tot enjoy this month? Balls, ride-on toys, small climbing gyms, and push-pull toys are loads of fun for active toddlers who love using their big muscles. For more relaxed play, offer toys that allow experimentation or cause and effect such as brightly colored blocks, toys to sort and stack, and just about anything that lets your toddler imitate you. (Just be sure you keep the real cell phones and remotes out of your curious kiddo's reach!)

Health and Safety Info

Flu Fighters

It's heartbreaking for a parent to watch her youngster struggle with an illness, and fighting the flu can be especially tough for small bodies. Illnesses in kids lead to crash courses in Pediatrics 101 for worried parents: How can you help your child through the fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and lack of energy that come with the flu?

One of the most effective flu fighters is the preventative flu vaccine your toddler receives from his pediatrician. Known to help little kids combat seasonal illnesses, the flu shot can protect toddlers from flu or lessen the severity of influenza and avoid complications such as pneumonia, fever, chills, ear infections, cough, and croup.

Of course, despite your best efforts at keeping your kiddo healthy, he might still contract the flu virus. The good news is there are several safe home remedies you can use to help your child's body combat illness and ease flu symptoms, too. In addition to plenty of love and affection from you (perhaps the best medicine of all!), be certain your tot stays hydrated and warm and that he gets plenty of bed rest. (It's important that you stay healthy too, so nap when your toddler does if you can.) To reduce nasal congestion and allow your stuffed up toddler to breathe better, prop one end of his crib or bed and run a humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air. And lastly, try over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen (ask your pediatrician which she recommends) to lower a high fever and relieve achy little muscles.

In a few days your child's fever should break and he'll regain his appetite, though don?t be surprised if he has a lingering cough or just isn't feeling himself for a while longer.

Must-Knows

Lose the Baby Weight

No longer a rookie mom, you're likely now in a routine and comfortable with your role as a parent—but are you comfortable with your body? It can be hard to drop pregnancy weight after childbirth while you're adjusting to motherhood. Late-night feedings and frequent diaper changes rob you of your time and energy, and soon you realize your get-up-and-go is gone. Now that you're chasing an active toddler, you might be eager to say good-bye to leftover baby pounds and hello to a slimmer, healthier you!

Begin by making a commitment to better health. Hollywood is filled with celeb moms who shed crazy amounts of weight just weeks after childbirth, but it's best to adopt a more commonsense approach (unless you're fortunate enough to have a personal chef, trainer, and a nanny too!).

How's your eating? Are you grabbing whatever is handiest throughout the day instead of having well-balanced meals? Do you munch out of boredom or frustration? Write down what you eat and focus on serving good-for-you meals to you and your family. Prepare snacks—such as cut-up fruits and veggies or small bags of popcorn or pretzels—in advance so they're ready to eat when hunger strikes.

You already know exercise is an important part of weight loss, but did you know a good workout offers numerous advantages in addition to shedding pounds? When you get your body moving, you improve your mood, combat illness, boost your energy level, and even improve your sex life. In addition, lifting weights tones your muscles so you have something nice to show when the pounds are gone. Pop your tot into his stroller and get outside for some fitness and fresh air—it will benefit you both!

Time to get motivated, Mom, for better health: You can do it!