Appointments – What's coming up in the 12th month?
U6: Between the 10th and 12th month of life, the U6 check-up is due. If it has not yet been performed, it should be done now. The U6 is also referred to as the 'one-year check'. The pediatrician examines your baby's fine motor skills and language development. The tendency to develop allergies is also discussed here. Don't worry if your child is not yet as advanced as other children of the same age. Your doctor can certainly help to ease some of your fears and uncertainties.
Vaccination: At the age of one year, if you choose to, the first MMR vaccination can be given. With this 'live vaccine' there is the first vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella. Vaccination against chickenpox can also be given now. If you are unsure whether you want to have your child vaccinated, your pediatrician can reliably advise you.
Birthday party: Your baby is celebrating their first birthday! Even if your little one doesn't yet understand what their birthday is about, grandparents and friends alike are at least looking forward to coming together for the children's birthday to get together, celebrate, and chat.
Important developmental milestones in the 12th month
Cruising (holding onto furniture): Some babies can already take a few steps at twelve months. Many boys and girls move forward using the so-called 'cruising' gait: with one hand they hold onto furniture, with the other they can reach for objects. However, most still crawl when they want to move quickly.
Playing and dancing: Most babies can get excited about many things at twelve months. Music encourages dancing and clapping, and the little ones also can't get enough of picture books. With toys for building and sorting, many babies can occupy themselves for a while.
Nutrition: Your baby can now eat anything it likes. Whether it already eats the parents' meals — perhaps in a less seasoned version — or still resists purees varies from child to child.
Vision: Your baby's visual system is fully developed by the end of the twelfth month. It can now take in all visual impressions and process them.
Climbing: With the first steps comes climbing. Hardly any staircase is safe from them. But always stay near your baby — especially when going down stairs, they will need your support.
Sleep: For many children, the main sleep phase now settles at around seven hours. But small things, such as an exciting day or an illness, can quickly throw this rhythm off.
Imitation: Your baby has already copied a lot from you. By now it can — more or less — handle a spoon and drinking bottle manage. Your child has also picked up other behaviors from you: many babies like to 'talk on the phone' and 'pretend to cook'.
How much should my child weigh at 12 months?
Birth weight has approximately tripled by the twelfth month. Your baby weighs between 8.900 and 9.600 grams and is between 74 and 76 centimeters tall.
Discover more articles on parenting & psychology
Image credits
Modern baby scale on the table and a blurred woman with a child in a house © New Africa - stock.adobe.com