What's the baby up to?
Growth points
Month 13 Milestones
By the end of this month, your toddler might be able to:
- Pull up to standing position
- Get into a sitting position
- Cruise (move from place to place, always holding on)
- Clap hands (play pat-a-cake)
- Indicate what he wants in ways other than crying, perhaps using a word or two
In the next 12 months your child will grow taller and heavier:
- The average growth in height is between 7 – 12 cm.
- The average weight gain is between 1,5 – 2.5 kg.
Ask your doctor to check your toddler's development if:
- She is not babbling, pointing, or making other gestures by 12 months.
- She's saying no single words by 16 months.
- She isn't using two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months.
- There is a loss of language or social skills at any age – so if her language use goes backwards.
Other stuff to think about
If you're the type that does things by-the-book (you know who you are), you'll want to know that it is recommended that your toddler goes for routine medical check-ups at around 12 months, 15 months, 18 months and 24 months.
The doctor will look at:
- Your toddler's growth in height and weight. The measurements are recorded on a growth chart to monitor if your toddler is growing at the average rate.
- The doctor will examine your toddler's ears, eyes, throat, genital area, lungs, heart and reflexes.
- The way your toddler crawls, walks and sits will also be examined.
- He will ask questions about your toddler's diet and eating habits and also his speech and language skills.
- He might also ask to check your toddler's immunisation chart.
The visit is not a test if you are a good parent or not, so don't be intimidated by the doctor. Make sure to ask about anything that might be of concern to you – make a list so you remember to ask it all when you have the chance.
Go back to the complete list of Baby week-by-week updates.
