23-Month-Old Baby's Developmental Milestones And Growth

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The tiny baby you got from the hospital, wrapped in your arms, is almost two years old now. The baby’s 23rd month may be marked by different activities such as walking, running, imitating you, being a pro at throwing tantrums, and talking – seems unbelievable, isn’t it! You see them do all those things every day, and it might make you wonder about how a 23-month-old behaves. You may want to know if the sudden behavioral changes, increased awareness, and struggling with independence is normal and expected. Read on as we tell you all you can expect in the 23rd month of your toddler’s life.

23-Month-Old Baby Development

Check out the various changes that occur during a 23-month-old baby’s development.

1. Growth:

As your tot approaches his second birthday, they will look much less like a baby. They will be upright, crawling, active, and mobile and all their baby fat will melt. The way they move around will also change as they are growing fast. Your baby’s back-and-forth gait will be much smoother, with a more coordinated stride. They may also climb on stools, counters, and tables, giving birth to new parenting challenges (1) (2).

2. Physical Development:

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Your child can feel very confident on their feet now as their physical strength and motor skills are developing. They no longer have to squat down. They will bend down to pick something up from the floor. They will also try to stand on their tiptoes.

While taking the stairs, your tot may need to hold your fingers. They will put both of their feet on the stairs while trying to climb. Getting back will be all the more difficult as they may descend backward on knees and hands. Make sure you watch them as they practice climbing the stairs. Do not leave anything lying on the floor as they could trip over it (3).

Quick fact

As your child becomes more independent, they may show signs of defiance. They push their boundaries and assert their willingness to know the world around them (16).

3. Play With Other Children:

At this time, your child loves exploring new things and would want to play with other children, which is essential to develop their socialization skills. They imitate an older kid dribbling a basketball and may even run after the kids as they play. They will also invite you to whatever game they are playing (4).

4. Food:

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Teething begins around six months of age for most babies and by 23 months, they have most of their teeth. Yet, many babies are still fine-tuning their eating skills. You still have to persuade them to sit while they eat. You may need to use a high chair to make him sit properly while eating. Their tolerance for staying at one place will be short, so avoid making them wait for long periods before serving. Do not force him if they do not want to eat.

5. They Will Wake Up At Night:

It is common for kids to wake up in the middle of the night at this stage as they may be experiencing sleep regression.

If they complain about the light coming through the window, put up a blackout blind. Also, teach them to settle themselves back to sleep (5).

6. Will Learn New Words:

At this age, your baby is learning to follow two-step commands like “give me”, “sit down,” which is essential for proper language acquisition. Their vocabulary will include words that will be able to say precisely. They can speak brief sentences like “Mom, I’m hungry”, or “juice is finished”. They can also answer straightforward questions like “What is your name? What is your daddy’s name?” (6).

Point to consider

Create a regular reading routine and read different books with illustrations to your toddler. Reading will introduce them to new words and languages, boosting their vocabulary and comprehension skills (17).

7. Improved Memory:

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For newborn babies, out of sight means out of mind, but during toddlerhood, the cognitive skills to remember things improve. Your baby will associate things they see in real life with the one he sees in the movie or book. At this stage, you must give your baby opportunities to engage in shapeless plays and cater to their curiosity.. Give them a set of blocks and ask them to build a tower (1).

An anonymous mother shares the progress her 23-month-old son is making in different areas. She says, “My Miggy baby (her son) holds the pencil with the proper grip now, and he can build up blocks in no time…I always ask him to keep the toy back in its place. He loves doing this activity, and he also learns that once playing is done, toys are to be kept in the right place…Miggy baby is not able to pedal (a tricycle) yet, but now he can keep the leg on the pedal as he knows that these pedals are for driving.
“He has now started running in a much better way and is much faster…He can understand the instructions that I give him, but he cannot speak many words. He can say dada, mama, gave, auto, come, go, and No (i).”

23-Month-Old Behavior Problems

At 18-24 months, toddlers embark on a journey of emotional discovery, encountering new feelings like anger, shame, possessiveness, and excitement. This may lead to tantrums and separation anxiety (7).

1. Tantrums

It is a common occurrence in one to three-year-olds. They manifest tantrums through screaming, stiffening limbs, running away, kicking, or falling. Limited by early social, emotional, and language development, toddlers struggle to communicate needs and desires effectively, leading to frustration. Tantrums serve as a means for young children to express and manage their emotions while comprehending and influencing their surroundings (8).

2. Separation anxiety

A natural developmental phase, separation anxiety arises when toddlers, distressed and anxious, face separation from primary caregivers. It can result in crying, reluctance to play alone, early waking, or sleep disturbances (9). Gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement aid children in overcoming separation anxiety. If the anxiety persists and interferes with everyday activities, consider seeking assistance from a professional (10).

Do Remember

Remember that each kid develops at their speed and according to their style; growth is not a competition. Your youngster may acquire skills more quickly or slowly than the rest and yet progress normally.

Infographic: Major Milestones Of A 23-Month-Old Baby’s Development

At 23 months, your baby will be entering toddlerhood and capable of doing many things. Explore the infographic below to learn about the significant developmental changes your baby will achieve at this age. Knowing about these milestones can help you better understand their growth and keep you aware of any warning signs.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: 23-Month-Old Baby&039s Developmental Milestones And Growth

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Check out this informative video to learn how to engage your 23-month-old in fun activities that promote development. Discover what milestones to look for and what you need to know.

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Dr. Anuradha BansalMD

Dr. Anuradha Bansal is a highly accomplished pediatrician and neonatologist with 13 years of professional experience. Presently, she is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at PIMS Jalandhar. She has done her MBBS and MD Pediatrics at GMCH, Chandigarh.

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