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12 Months

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HEALTH ISSUES
Supervise all feedings.
Transition to whole or 2% milk (ask your doctor).
Stop giving a bottle and use a sipping cup only.  No bottle or sipping cup while in bed.
Offer safe finger foods.
Continue cereals. Offer healthy snacks, limiting sugars.
You may now introduce eggs and cheeses into diet.
Know how to use a thermometer to take a rectal temperature (instructions are reviewed on our on-line video at www.YourPediatrician.com).
Avoid direct sun exposure. Use a sunblock - SPF 15-30.
Continue fluoride supplement if recommended by your doctor.

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SAFETY ISSUES
Continue safe car seat use. Read instructions for proper installation. Here are some general guidelines:
    Place seat in the middle of the back seat. If your toddler is over 20 pounds, you should now change seat to forward-facing; if under 20 pounds still, keep facing rearward until weight is over 20 pounds, regardless of age).
    Use the "H" or "I" clip if you have a retractable shoulder harness.
Turn the hot water heater in your home down so the hottest water you can get from the faucet is 120 degrees.
Install and test your smoke detector in or near your baby’s room.
Childproof your home (poisons, medicines, guns, plastic bags, sharp objects, cords, outlets, cigarettes, hot liquids, latches on cabinets). Visit our poison safety tips page at www.YourPediatrician.com.
If you haven’t yet, purchase a bottle of Activated Charcoal to have on hand in case of ingestion of a poison. 
Obtain your local Poison Control Center’s phone number and keep it on hand (you can obtain this from our Web site, www.YourPediatrician.com).
Do not keep 5 gallon buckets in your home (to prevent drowning).
Avoid choke hazards (peanuts, popcorn, hard candy, whole grapes, raisins, carrot sticks, small toy pieces).
Use a bike helmet for your toddler (and yourself) if riding on the back of a bike.
Supervise activities, especially around lawnmowers, large dogs, cars.
Place crib mattress on lowest setting.

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YOUR BABY SHOULD…
Respond to his or her own name.
Continue to babble and understand the meaning of a few words.
Crawl, sit up, cruise (walk holding on) and possibly walking (9-15 months).
Shake and throw objects, often putting objects in mouth.
Pick up small objects with fingers; oppose thumb with tip index finger (fine pincer grasp). .
Begin to understand the meaning of "no".
Have bowel movements at least once every 3 days if formula fed, once every week if breast fed.

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YOU SHOULD…
Praise your child at every opportunity.
Talk (in adult manner) and sing regularly to your child.
Continue to read books to your child.
Encourage self play as well as with others.
Limit the number of rules, but be consistent with them.
Do not allow hitting, biting or mean behavior.
Have a bedtime routine and put baby to bed in his or her own room.
Keep a family picture near baby’s bed so it can be seen at night.
Eat meals as a family.
Offer comfort objects (stuffed animals, blanket).
Do not push for early toilet training.
Expect self-exploration of genitalia.
Start being an example of the type of person you want your child to grow up to be - they are like sponges from this time on, and absorb everything around them !
Spend time alone with your partner - one of the best thing you can do for your baby is to maintain a quality relationship with your partner.

GO TO 15 MONTHS