Baby Growth : Month 16

How much has your baby grown this month?

Your 16-month-old is constantly growing. It might not feel like you see a lot of changes but there are many things that are changing. In the past month, your child added around 200 grams in weight. The growth rate is slow but everything should be normal as long as they are eating healthily. 

Your baby’s gross motor skills

Your baby might realize that your child is starting to climb or run everywhere by this month as they gain more stability in their stance. 

Make sure that you have baby-proofed the entire house. If you leave your baby out of sight even for a few minutes they could be climbing somewhere or playing on the stairs. So, it is important that you give them the utmost safety and don’t leave them unattended. 

How will your baby communicate?

Try to play and sing some catchy rhymes in front of your child. They might not catch onto the tune right away but they are listening and rhymes are very interesting to them. They will learn words better when it is rhyming. 

You can also teach your baby emotions by giving them words to describe how they feel. This can also be done by you telling them a story that includes words of emotions or descriptions. 

What is your baby eating?

It is possible for toddlers to become very picky eaters and not want to eat healthy food. But as a parent, you have to try your best to make healthy food more interesting and appealing to the child so that they maintain a healthy diet. 

Try to give them options if they are picky eaters, it makes them feel like they have a choice over what they can decide to eat. 

Social and emotional skills at this age?

When you leave the room or the house, your baby can now wave to you goodbye. Your baby can show you emotion through cuddles, kisses, and hugs. 

Slowly, they will also start to play alongside other children. They will try to perform activities that they think will get a reaction out of their parents or the people around them. 

It is time to teach your child independence and control. Try to allow your child to perform tasks and chores on their own so that it builds their self-esteem. 

Best activities and toys for this age?

• Toddlers love to play Peek-a-boo
• Puzzles and building blocks
• Colorful balls to pass around
• Make them do chores alongside you
• Go on walks
• Read books with them
• Color books 

How much will your baby sleep?

Your child’s sleep schedule will remain the exact same from the month before. Some nights, your baby might wake up feeling thirsty. Just give them a little bit of water and send them back to sleep. 

Reading a book is a very common but very effective way to set a nighttime routine to help your baby fall asleep. This also helps to build your child’s imagination and vocabulary while bonding with your relationship.