12-month-old baby health & growth guide

And somehow, just like that, you have a toddler. Did you blink? The first year can go by so fast in what feels like a blur of endless diapers, joyful giggles and sleepless nights, but don’t miss celebrating this milestone for what it is—a parent anniversary for you as well as baby’s first birthday. You’ve *both* grown so much over the past year. Here’s what else you need to know about your 12-month-old’s health and growth this month.  

Related: 12-month-old baby milestones

12-month-old baby nutrition

Now that your little one is a newly minted toddler, that first bite of birthday cake might be in order. But aim to keep other forms of added sugar at bay—The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends holding off until age 2 if possible, though honey is on the table now that they’re past the 1-year mark. You can also offer cow’s milk now instead of formula. Breast milk can still be part of your 1-year-old’s diet, as long as breastfeeding is working for both of you, but know that you can start to drop a feeding and continue on a more limited schedule now if that’s best. 

Now that baby’s reached 12 months, more focus will be on solid foods. (You might offer breast milk just two to four times per day instead of four to six—whatever works best for you both.) But no need to wean just yet—AAP recommends extending breastfeeding at least until age 2, based on the health benefits for both mama and baby, and we have tips on how to make extended breastfeeding happen if that’s a goal you’re striving for.

The AAP and La Leche League (LLL) recommend the following feeding timeline and amounts for 12-month-olds:

• Solids: Offered 3 times per day or at family mealtimes
• Breast milk: Up to 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours
• Formula: 7 to 8 ounces every 5 to 6 hours

Your 12-month-old should be no stranger to solids. Here are the recommended serving sizes for an 12-month-old baby:

• Infant cereal (single grain) mixed with breast milk or formula: 5 to 8 tablespoons (optional)
• Fruits: 2 to 4 tablespoons
• Vegetables: 2 to 4 tablespoons
• Shredded meats, eggs, yogurt and soft-cooked plant-based proteins, such as lentils: 2 to 3 tablespoons
• Starches: ¼ to ½ cup simple carbs, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, bread

Read more: 12-month-old baby feeding schedule & expert advice

Feeding: Focus on fats and fiber

Don’t forget to include fats when filling your little one’s plate: AAP recommends babies and toddlers have a consistent diet of fats, such as those found in avocado, olives and olive oil, fatty fish, nut butters, and whole-milk dairy. Fats are crucial for brain and nerve development, hormone support and continued growth. 

Try incorporating a few of the following healthy fat options:

• Avocado cubes with lemon
• Sweet potato, steamed or roasted and drizzled with olive oil
• Peanut or almond butter on toast
• Baked salmon
• Whole milk yogurt with mashed banana or berries 

Similarly, incorporating enough fiber in your child’s diet is key to aiding digestion and promoting regular bowel movements. 

Here are a few fiber-filled options to try:

• Chia pudding made with coconut milk
• Roasted chickpeas
• Lentils and sweet potato
• Kale blended with pear or apple 
• Oatmeal with berries

12-month-old baby weight

For babies up to 2 years of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using the World Health Organization (WHO) weight and length charts. 

The WHO growth charts for babies 0 to 2 years are based on what is standard for a predominantly breastfed infant. According to the organization, the WHO charts reflect growth patterns among children who were predominantly breastfed for at least 4 months and were still breastfeeding at 12 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends continuing to breastfeed for at least two years, as long as it benefits both mother and baby. 

How much does the average 12-month-old weigh?

By their first birthday, many babies have more than doubled—or maybe even tripled their birth weight. 

According to the WHO and CDC:

• A 12-month-old baby boy in the 50th percentile weighs 21 pounds 3 ounces (9.6 kilograms) 
• A 12-month-old baby girl in the 50th percentile weighs 19 pounds, 10 ounces (8.9 kilograms)

What factors contribute to a 12-month-old baby’s weight?

Your baby’s weight may be related to several different factors, including how much they’re eating, their assigned sex and their activity levels. 

Assigned sex at birth: Male babies tend to weigh slightly more than female babies.

Daily food intake: The amount your baby eats at each feeding may factor into their weight. Many babies are still breastfeeding or taking bottles of formula 3 to 5 times per day at 12 months.

Activity levels: Baby is working on standing up and cruising this month in preparation for walking. Physical activity helps build strong muscles and bones—which means their activity levels may factor into their overall weight.

Related: When will my baby start walking? Experts share there’s a wide range 

12-month-old baby length

This month, you can expect your baby to grow about ½ inch to ¾ inch (1 to 2 centimeters) in length. 

How long is the average 12-month-old?

According to the WHO and CDC:

• A 12-month-old baby boy in the 50th percentile is 29 ¾ inches long (75.7 cm)
• A 12-month-old baby girl in the 50th percentile is 29 inches long (74 cm)

What factors contribute to a 12-month-old baby’s length?

Genetics have the biggest influence over your baby’s future height, as children tend to resemble their parents when it comes to height. But a few other factors can come into play, too. How active they are, nutrition, sleep quantity and overall health, as well as their assigned sex at birth all have a role (boys tend to be slightly taller than girls, for example). 

Related: Activities for a 12-month-old: Fostering baby’s development

Growth charts and percentiles 

By now, your child’s pediatrician has been plotting their weight, length and head circumference on their growth chart at each well-check since they were born, and should now have about a year’s worth of data to show how their growth has been changing over time. At the 12-month well-check, ask if you can take a look—it’s pretty fascinating. 

Growth charts and the percentiles that correspond can be helpful in providing an example of how a baby’s growth may be compared to that of other babies who are the same age and sex, too. But just remember, all babies grow at different rates.

Once you get your child’s updated height and weight percentiles, here’s what those numbers signify: If your baby’s weight is in the 45th percentile, that means that 55% of babies of the same age and sex weigh more, and 45% weigh less. But know that healthy babies can be in the 5th percentile or the 95th, AAP says. Doctors are looking to see whether your child’s growth pattern stays somewhat steady over time. 

Growth spurts

The 1-year mark is a time of big change, of course, and you might see a growth spurt happening around now, too. Fussiness, sleep changes and appetite changes may all be on the horizon. But don’t worry, most growth spurts only last a few days. They’ll soon pass—and they’re a harbinger of your baby’s healthy development.

When should I worry about my baby’s growth?

Remember that your child’s doctor has been using their growth chart to help track along with your child’s growth, and if they’re worried about your 11-month-old’s growth, they’ll definitely let you know. 

By 11 months, some parents are concerned about when their child will start to walk. But rest assured that experts say there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to walking. As long as your little one is able to bear weight on their legs, and shows interest in moving around (many will start grabbing onto furniture to help them get from one place to another, known as ‘cruising’), trust that as they get stronger, those first steps will come. 

Feeding, sleep and diaper output are all signs of your baby’s growth, too. If you have concerns about your baby’s feeding or sleeping habits, or if they’re not approaching most of their 11-month milestones, check in with the doctor.

12-month-old baby sleep 

Does it feel like every upcoming night of sleep is an unknown commodity? If yes, it’s time to get back to the basics. Sticking with a consistent nap and bedtime routine, gently promoting self-soothing measures at night and getting plenty of outdoor time during the day can all help reset nighttime to become a little more predictable. 

Once your baby turns 12 months old, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine states that your baby’s sleep needs shift from 12 to 16 hours of sleep to 11 to 14 hours of sleep. Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight—and it may have already taken effect, or this change could be around the corner for you. Keep aiming for a solid 10 to 11 hours of consecutive nighttime sleep, and the rest can be filled in through two naps during the day. 

What baby sleep looks like at 12 months:

• Your baby may be taking 2 naps per day
• Your baby may no longer be waking at night
• Your baby may be awake for 2.5 to 3.5 hours at a time

Your babe has been working hard on becoming even more independent—making progress on waving, saying a few words, taking a few steps. All these developmental leaps can herald another sleep progression coming this month, shares Rachel Mitchell, a certified sleep consultant and founder of My Sweet Sleeper. But not all babies are negatively affected by this progression, Mitchell notes. If you’re starting to see your tot wake up at night when they haven’t been or suddenly take short naps, try not to stress. Stay consistent with your routines and things should normalize after a week or so.

Read more: How much sleep does a 12-month-old baby need?

Diapering a 12-month-old

Yep, it’s been one whole year of diapers—hard to believe, right? Some estimates say babies can go through anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 diapers in the first year—and they’re not going anywhere soon. You may need 5 to 7 diapers a day with your 12-month-old, and that will likely be the case for several months after. The earliest many babies are ready to start working on potty training is around 18 months, but for others, it’s much later. 

Now that your tot is much more on-the-move, diaper changes have become a whole new challenge. Consider moving diaper changes to the floor so they can wriggle around without you worrying about them falling off an elevated surface. And though we’re betting you’re pretty speedy at these by now, you might need to refresh your roster of tactics to keep them entertained, like singing a song or reciting a rhyme or handing them a toy to examine.

Caring for a 12-month-old

Here’s what to know about vaccines, baths, safety and care for your growing babe. 

Vaccines for 12-month-olds

Your baby will have their 12-month well-check this month, at which they’ll receive another round of vaccines. It’s important to keep your child on schedule with regard to their childhood vaccinations so that they can receive vaccine-provided immunity early in life, before they come into contact with potentially life-threatening diseases.

Your baby will likely receive the following vaccines at their 12-month checkup:

• Hepatitis B (HepB) – If they didn’t get the third dose at 6 months
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13, PCV15)
• Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) – If they didn’t get the third dose at 6 months

Talk to your pediatrician also about whether your child is due for a flu vaccine and a Covid vaccine. They became eligible once they turned 6 months old, but based on the seasonality, may have decided to wait. The CDC has determined that flu and Covid vaccines should be an annual part of the routine childhood vaccinations offered to kids. Both of these vaccines can help prevent severe disease or hospitalization in your infant should they contract the illness. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to speak with your child’s healthcare provider. 

Related: Questions about the Covid vaccine for kids? We’ve got answers

Baths

For most toddlers, daily baths aren’t a necessity—unless a short nighttime bath is a crucial part of your bedtime routine. In that case, just aim to keep them quick so as not to dry out their skin. Bathtime can also be a sensory experience for your tot these days, and might make for good, clean fun when the weather’s less than ideal. Gather up a few toys and towels and settle in for some splashes.

Related: 14 bath safety tips for babies and kids of all ages

Safety 

Safety concerns might be top of mind these days now that your little one is careening into toddlerhood almost as fast as they can scramble around the coffee table. 

Babyproofing

You’ve got a busy toddler on your hands—who probably likes to get into anything and everything around them. Keep a watchful eye on objects that might pose a choking hazard. Toys that could fit inside a toilet paper roll, toys with small removable parts, coins, button batteries, balloon fragments and bottle caps tend to be the most common offenders, but also watch out for round, hard foods that could get lodged, like hot dog slices, carrot rounds, whole grapes and popcorn. 

As a general rule, aim to avoid offering kids finger food snacks in the car seat where they’re out of arms’ reach. Need to feed them on-the-go? A pouch is probably the safest bet.

Sleep safety

Thankfully, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) drastically decreases once your baby turns 12 months old. That means that they can now sleep with a small, lightweight blanket or lovey. Just avoid weighted blankets, sleep sacks or stuffed animals, as AAP does not recommend any weighted objects on or near sleeping infants. 

Car seat safety

Time for a car seat safety check! It’s still too early to turn your tot forward-facing (not till at least 2 years), but now’s a good time to double check that your baby is still within the height and weight limits of their current car seat, and that they haven’t exceed your car’s LATCH system weight limits, either. Also double-check where the shoulder straps are hitting—you might need to re-thread the harness to make more room for your growing kiddo. 

Behavior

You might see the first signs of a little more independence and defiance from your child than you’re used to, now that they’ve entered their second year. Rest assured that these new behaviors are all within the realm of normal—though they definitely might try your patience at times. In many cases, you can probably chalk up your little’s big feelings over a desire for more control and independence in their world, or a frustration over a lack of communication. Working in some deep breathing and mindfulness moments into your day can be powerful for both of you: Now’s also a good time to incorporate some baby sign language to help get over any communication hurdles. 

A note from Motherly on self-care while caring for a 12-month-old

We’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating: Your baby’s first birthday is a milestone moment—for both of you. Take time to celebrate this huge accomplishment you’ve achieved. Caring for your infant for a whole year is no small feat. You definitely deserve to yourself out for a parent-anniversary celebration in addition to planning a way to mark the occasion for your little one. And if things are feeling heavy lately, remember that you also deserve to focus on your mental health. Reach out to your primary care provider if you’re struggling—there are resources and people out there who want to help you feel your best.