Has your 25-month-old
toddler started to exert their independence? We’re talking about stomping,
screaming, defying and all those other frustrating (and totally normal for this
age) behaviors. Two-year-olds are possibly the most stubborn, self-centered
creatures on earth. They want what they want, when they want it—usually, right
now! The good news is your child’s stubborn streak means they’re going through
a ton of cognitive growth. They now understand that they’re a separate person
who can make things happen in the world. So of course, they’re making them
happen. Rest assured that eventually, things will get less, um, dramatic
25-Month-Old
Development
In addition to their
(sometimes frustrating) personality, your 25-month-old's body and brain
continue to grow and develop in a variety of ways. You’ll notice that your
25-month-old baby can now play simple make-believe games, memorize parts of
familiar books, rhymes or songs and identify and point to objects in a book.
You’ll also notice your kiddo reaching new 25-month-old milestones in language,
movement and socialization.
25-month-old
weight and height
Average weight for a
25-month- old is around 27.1 pounds for girls and 28.4 pounds for boys. Average
height is around 34 inches for girls and 34.5 inches for boys, according to the
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As always, the most
important thing is that your 25-month-old baby remains where they should be on
their own growth chart, which your pediatrician will track for you.
25-month-old
milestones
There are some pretty
exciting 25-month-old milestones that both you and your little one can look
forward to. Whether baby is working on language development, playing with
others or moving and shaking, your 25-month-old is doing a lot! Here are some
milestones your 25-month-old may have hit or may be working on:
• Speech. Your 25-month-old probably uses
simple phrases and may be saying two-to-three-word sentences. Most 2-year-olds
are able to say 50 to 100 words. If your 25-month-old isn’t talking or using
phrases with two words, let your pediatrician know. Some kids simply need more
time; others may have a hearing problem or may benefit from an early
intervention program. Help your 25-month-old work on their language development
by having conversations with them, talking through your day and reading to
them.
• Potty training. If your 25-month-old is
showing interest in potty training, this might be one of the most momentous
25-month-old milestones! However, while some kids are ready to begin potty
training at 25 months, plenty of others aren’t. Let your child lead the way,
because if you try to push the issue, you’ll just end up losing to a very
stubborn toddler. Watch for signs of readiness and reward any small successes,
like sitting on the potty, if only for a few moments.
• Teething. Your child may be cutting
their second molars. Also known as the two-year molars, these pearly whites
tend to erupt between 23 and 33 months. And since they're big, it can be a
painful process. The good news is they're the last teeth to come in until
around age 6, when kids can better deal with the discomfort, so soon, you'll be
done with teething woes.
What
should my 25-month-old be doing?
Your 25-month-old baby
is less of a baby these days and doing so much! Expect them to be able to build
towers five blocks high, begin to sort shapes and colors and find things that
are hidden even under multiple covers. Your little one is also beginning to
copy people and repeat words they hear used in conversation—so now is
definitely the time to pay close attention to what you say and do in front of
your 25-month-old.
25-month-old
behavior
• Independence. Your 25-month-old likes to
be in charge. Let your toddler make small decisions, like which shirt to wear
today, but don’t be afraid to say no to the big things, like letting them climb
the tallest slide in the park or the back of the couch. Two-year-olds need
consistent, safe limits.
• Tantrums. Mega meltdowns may still be a
problem—particularly as your 25-month-old baby’s language and communication
skills continue to develop. Be patient; eventually they’ll learn not to
overreact so much and communicate what they need instead.
• Defiance. At this age, there are lots of
challenging behaviors that kind of depend on the child's personality. For
example, some kids refuse to get into their car seat and others love to draw
all over the walls while their parents are on the phone. This is where limits
and firm consequences can help: "The car stops and we don’t go to the
playground without the car seat buckled." "If you draw on the walls,
you have to help Mommy clean them up." Give your child lots of positive
attention when they’re being good, and keep the permanent markers out of reach.
25-Month-Old
Health
Health is always a top
concern for parents, and this age is no different. Some common health questions
parents of 25-month-olds have are:
• My 25-month-old has diarrhea.
• My 25-month-old is constipated.
• My 25-month-old is throwing up.
• My 25-month old has a cough.
• My 25-month-old has a fever.
25-Month-Old
Food
At 25 months, focus on
instilling good eating habits into your child. Pediatricians recommend having
meals together as a family, making healthy food choices and not worrying too
much about how much food your child is eating. In other words, don't pressure them
to clean their plate.
How
much should my 25-month-old be eating
Two-year-olds should
continue to eat three meals per day, plus two snacks. Offer your child a
variety of foods in all food groups—vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and
dairy—daily. Portion size isn't big at this age: Expect your kid to eat only ¼
to ½ as much as an adult.
How
much milk should a 25-month-old drink?
Now that your child is
2 years old, they should be drinking about 16 oz of skim or lowfat milk; talk
to your doctor about what type of milk to serve your toddler. Try to offer
other dairy products too, such as yogurt and cheese. Doctors recommend kids
ages one to three get 700 mg of calcium per day and 600 IU of vitamin D, which
helps aid calcium absorption.
If your 25-month-old
can’t drink dairy milk, make sure to incorporate other sources of calcium, like
fortified non-dairy milks; dark leafy greens like broccoli, bok choy or kale;
cooked dried beans and fortified breads or cereals. You may also want to ask
your pediatrician about supplements.
If your child is
breastfeeding or gets calcium from other sources, they might not need to be
drinking as much cow's milk as that. Nursing toddlers may only need to
supplement with cow's milk if they’re not growing as expected on the growth
chart; check with your child's pediatrician.
When to wean a toddler
is a personal choice. If you're interested in weaning your 25-month-old, go
slow to prevent plugged ducts and infection for you and to make the process
easier on your child.
