52-Week-Old Baby
Happy birthday, baby! Or should we say, toddler? At 12 months old, baby has officially entered toddler territory. Congrats for making it through the first year! The fun doesn’t stop now: Your 52-week-old is likely saying a couple of words and getting much more mobile—and if they’re not walking yet, their first steps are likely on the horizon. Here’s what else you can expect from 52-week-old baby development.
Growth
The average weight for a 52-week-old baby is 19.7 pounds for girls and 21.3 pounds for boys. The average length is 29.1 inches for girls and 29.8 inches for boys. It’s likely that baby has tripled their birth weight and is about 9.5 inches taller than they were at birth. But every one-year-old is different—check in with your pediatrician this week if you have any questions or concerns.
Emerging skills
Baby is doing so many things independently this week! Baby might be walking—or working on it—as well as saying a couple of words, including “mama” and “dada”. Baby is intensely working on connecting words with their meanings, and likely understands simple requests. If baby hasn’t hit every 12-month milestone, don’t worry: Check in with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Feeding
Baby’s solid-food journey is well underway, and they can now eat most of what you eat. They can also start transitioning to cow’s milk if you’d like them to. Some babies will take to it right away while others may need time to get used to it. Try introducing it slowly by putting a few ounces into each bottle, and then gradually increasing the amount. The recommended daily limit for cow’s milk is 16 to 20 ounces; too much can lead to iron-deficiency anemia and fill your kiddo up too much.
Sleep
Babies at 12 months should get around 11 to 14 hours of sleep per 24-hour period and usually take two naps a day. Enjoy those mid-day slumbers while they last: Kids usually drop their second nap by around 18 months.
Should baby be walking by now?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most toddlers will start walking by 18 months. So if baby’s not walking yet, that’s completely normal. We know it’s hard to have patience here, but you’re doing a great job! At baby’s 12-month appointment, their pediatrician will do a physical exam to assess baby’s growth and discuss any concerns you might have about milestones.
Can baby sleep in a bed?
If they’re not regularly climbing out of their crib, baby can stay put. There’s no rush to get them into a bed because right now, they’re somewhat contained. Once you transition to a toddler bed, they’ll be able to move freely throughout the night. (You likely want to wait a while for that!) It’s common for toddlers to stay in a crib. Once they start showing interest in climbing out of it—often between 18 months and 3 years—it’s time to make the move. Every family is different, so do what feels best for yours.
12-month vaccines
At baby’s 12-month checkup, they may receive up to nine different vaccines, according to the CDC, including Hepatitis A, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella (chickenpox) and influenza if it’s flu season. They may also be due for a booster shot of earlier vaccines.
Hugs and kisses
All that work this past year to establish a secure bond with your child is paying off bigtime. Between 10 and 12 months, many babies begin to “blow kisses” when you blow one to them or ask for one, which is a beautiful sign of affection. But it’ll only get sweeter. By 15 months, your toddler will hit a completely adorable emotional milestone: showing unprompted affection with surprise hugs, kisses and cuddles. Talk about heart-melting!
- Make personal goals. Setting goals is a great way to hold yourself accountable and have something to work toward. You don’t have to choose highly challenging or unattainable goals. Start small with one you can reach sooner, like going for three walks this week or washing the dishes before you sit down to watch TV. Don’t forget to plan for a reward when you meet your goal. There’s nothing better than celebrating your accomplishments!
- Get some sun. Sunlight benefits your health and well-being, so prioritize it within reason. Sunlight is excellent for boosting your vitamin D supply and can lift your mood. Be sure to use sunscreen if you’re in the sun for more than a few minutes. If you live in a colder climate, consider getting a light therapy box for your room or office. These lights mimic the sun, making you happier and less sleepy.
- Toddler busy board. That’s right, we said toddler! An activity board or “busy board” is a fantastic way for your little one to explore the world and improve their fine motor skills. With elements like wheels, zippers, Velcro and latches, they’re not likely to get bored. Plus, unlike an activity cube, you can easily pack it up and take it with you wherever you go!
- New clothes. Babies grow out of their clothing sizes quickly! Your newly minted toddler is likely outgrowing 9-12M and starting to wear 12-18M. (Thankfully, the sizes won’t change every three months anymore.) This is a great time to stock up on new clothes.
Get outdoors (weather permitting) and explore! You can go to a local park or just dig in your backyard. Throw down a blanket and bring some bubbles and maybe a picnic. Get your little one used to touching, seeing, smelling and listening to their environment. The earlier you share nature with your child, the more likely they are to develop a lifelong love for the outdoors.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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