Baby is 1 year old: his health and his diet

Your baby’s health at 1 year

His growth

In one year, your child has almost tripled his birth weight and has grown by 25 cm. At this age, babies weigh between 8,5 and 10 kilos and measure between 70 and 78 cm. The outer fontanel closes, on the other hand, the inner fontanel is still open. The cranial perimeter went from 35 to about 45 or 46 cm.

 For the teeth, their number varies according to each child: 2, 4, 5… In some even, the first tooth appears for the first birthday. For those who already have small incisors, thepremolars can pierce as early as a year. Those of the upper jaw are the first to come out. 

Vaccines

If your child is not in the community and has not been vaccinated against MMR, make an appointment with your pediatrician.

Feeding your baby at 1 year

As your baby is more and more mobile, his energy needs are increasing. Be aware, however, that a period of food neophobia may appear. The attraction to green vegetables is diminishing. This behavior is temporary, do not be too rigid with the feeding and do not force your child. The main thing is that he is in good health and does not lose weight.

At this age, milk is still a very important element in the diet. Some babies are even still breastfed. The others consume around 500-600 ml of growth milk. Otherwise, your child now eats almost like you (in variety but not in quantity). You can give him small pieces or less mixed meals depending on the development of his teeth. He can also drink juice, as long as it is 100% fruit, with no added sugar. In total, to meet his daily needs, your child eats 4 meals a day. A dairy and grain product in the morning. Around 11 a.m., for lunch, choose vegetables, starches, proteins (meat, egg white), milk and fruit. A balanced snack is made up of a dairy product and a fruit (or compote). Finally, in the evening, prefer vegetables and starches, without meat, and a dairy product. Some will have a snack in the afternoon. The most greedy take one also before bedtime.

If you live in a region with little sun, a vitamin D supplement is essential. For iron supplement, it is only essential if you are breast-feeding your child since growth milk, depleted in protein, is enriched with iron and essential fatty acids.

Your baby’s sleep at 1 year

At 1 year old, children generally take two naps during the day. One hour in the morning and a second, longer in the afternoon, of about two hours.  At this age, the little ones sleep between 9 and 10 hours a night. As bedtime can become a test of strength, gradually establish a climate conducive to calm. It is also preferable to adopt a ritual all your own: dinner, history, hugs …

If your child has trouble falling asleep or wakes up at night, you can offer him a transitional object (blanket) to reassure him.

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