Congratulations mommy! It’s been one year of the beautiful feeling of motherhood. It is time to celebrate the first birthday of your baby. Your baby is all set to become a toddler. Celebrate the special day with your near and dear ones. But do not forget to get the appointment for the baby’s 12 month checkup.
This checkup, like that of any other month will entail your doctor checking in with your baby’s developmental milestones, completing vaccination schedules for the month and clearing any doubts you may have. Here is what you can expect from the 12-month baby checkup.
What Can You Expect From a Baby’s 12 Month Physical Checkup?
During the 12-month baby checkup, the doctor will conduct the same procedure of checking your baby’s physical development and health condition. Your doctor can also take a finger prick test for anemia and lead deficiency. They will also take a quick check of the baby’s head and developing teeth.
Your doctor may also ask you a few questions to get a good glimpse of your baby’s development including
- What words does your baby utter?
- Is your baby like the solids that you offer?
- Are there any allergic reactions to any food you notice in your baby?
- Is there any doubt you have regarding your baby’s motor skills?
Developmental Milestones Expected From a Twelve Month Old Baby
A lot of developments will occur in your baby rapidly during this time. Some babies can start their first baby steps whereas some can still crawl. Approximately by 12 months, your baby can walk a few steps independently. Here is the time when you can gradually shift from breastmilk and offer your baby cow milk but if you have no problem continuing with breastmilk further then go ahead.
The developmental milestones your baby will achieve during the 12th month are
- Addressing parents by “mama” or “dada”
- Waving “bye-bye”
- Understanding your command and stopping or pausing briefly when you say “no”
- Playing games like pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo with you
- Searching for the toy you hide in front of them
- Pulling up to stand
- Trying to walk holding an object
- Picking small pieces of food by using the thumb and pointer finger
- Drinking from a cup or glass if you hold it
- Putting things in a container
- Biting you to show the strength of their teeth
Though the developmental pace of each baby is different, you need to look for the alarming signs. These are
- The baby is not babbling yet
- The baby is not crawling
- The baby is not making eye contact
- The baby is not responding to your voice
- The baby is not approaching to grab objects
If you notice any of these red flags in your baby, then ask your doctor to take a detailed evaluation of your baby. In case you are worried about any specific milestone, do not panic just yet. Talk to your doctor to understand if the delay is common or something to be worried about. Remember that no two babies are the same in reaching milestones.
[Read : Developmental Delays in Babies]
List of Vaccines Your Baby Might Get in Twelfth Month Checkup
Depending on how your doctor schedules your baby’s vaccination durations, your baby this time can get a few more vaccines. These can include
1. MMR(Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine
MMR Vaccine is given generally during the 9th month, but in case you have missed out this vaccine for your baby, you can get it in the 12th month.
2. Varicella(Chickenpox) Vaccine
Though this is not a compulsory vaccine, your doctor may suggest the first dose of the varicella vaccine during the 12th month for protection from chicken pox.
3. Hep A(Hepatitis A Vaccine)
The first dose of Hepatitis A Vaccine is given during the 12th month to protect your baby from the deadly hepatitis A virus that may affect the liver.
4. Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine is not a compulsory vaccine, but your doctor may recommend this for your baby during the 12th month if you live in a region with high incidences of Japanese encephalitis or there is an outbreak of this disease.
5. Cholera Vaccine
Again, this is not a compulsory vaccine, but you may need to get this for your baby at this time if you stay in an area where this infection is highly prevalent or there is a cholera outbreak
It is vital to ensure that your baby gets all three doses of the vital vaccines like HepB (hepatitis B), Hib, and PCV by this time.
[Read : Chickenpox and its Vaccine for Babies]
List of Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Your baby is no longer a baby. Your toddler, from now on, will try to show their likes and dislikes. So, a lot of questions may arise in your head regarding the health or care of your baby. It is better to ask them all now. Here are some questions you can ask during the 12th-month baby visit to the doctor
- How much cow milk can I offer to my toddler?
- When can I wean my toddler off the bottle?
- Is it okay to let my child watch TV or a mobile phone?
- How much screen time is safe for my baby?
- How can I assist my baby in its cognitive development?
- What toys are best for my baby during this age?
- How can I sleep practice my child?
- Can I put my baby in a car safety seat?
- Can I offer readymade juice to my baby?
Help your now toddler in achieving new developmental milestones by constantly talking and playing with them. Hold their hands to encourage them to stand and take those baby steps. Sing and read books in front of your baby when they are fussy instead of giving them a mobile phone for entertainment. These little efforts will make the unbreakable bond between you and your baby. From now on the number of doctor checkups will decrease. The next major well-baby checkup will be at the 15th months.
