1 to 2 year old children
Diet and nutrition
As you transition into toddlerhood you may start to notice changes with your child's eating, it Is normal for them to become fussy at this stage and you may notice their appetite changes.
If you are struggling with any of these issues you can access advise and support through first steps nutrition and a better start Southend.
Alternatively, you can call us on 01702 534911
Form 1 year of age children no longer need formula milk in their diet and can have full fat cows milk to drink, they do not need any of the follow-on milks or growing-up milks however you can use these if you wish.
We recommend that you no longer use bottles from 1 year of age even for milk and provide all drinks in a cup with or without a lid.
Please click on the link for further information regarding appropriate diet and meal plan ideas
First steps nutrition
Behaviour
As your child grows and learns to communicate their wants and needs it can provide lots of challenges. Temper tantrums are a common issue for all parents and managing these behaviours can be difficult. Sometimes it is hard to see what emotions are behind your child's behaviour, and it can be hard to know how to help and support them through this difficult stage.
If you have any concerns regarding your childs behaviour or would like some support, you can contact us on 01702 534911.
Or contact Southend family centres following this link to book onto their behaviour courses or to get one to one support at home.
Safety
As your child becomes more mobile and seeks more independence its import to remember the dangers that are around in the home.
Ensure all medication and cleaning materials are kept in a locked cupboard and out of reach of children.
Young children Should never be left unattended and always placed in a safe area if you need to quickly leave the room.
Ensure all wires are kept out of reach including leads for phone and laptop chargers as children love to play with them.
Risks from falling of beds and furniture increase at this age as well as risks from climbing so its important to ensure furniture is safe by securing large units, wardrobes and chests of draws are secured to the wall.
We recommend all homes have a working and regularly checked smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarms, if you would like help with getting these fitted you can contact the fire brigade through this link.
For further advise around safety in the home as well as sun and water safety please see the Child Accident Prevention Trust website.
Illness
It can be a very worrying time when your child is unwell, there are lots of common childhood illness that can be managed at home, and you can find advise and support in the common childhood illnesses and wellbeing booklet.
If you are concerned regarding your child, you can always call 111 or talk to your pharmacist for advice and support.
For treatment of illness that will not go away talk to your GP.
For serious and life threating emergencies call 999 or go to A and E.
Sleep
Sleeping through the night is important for both children and parents, we know that sleep enables us to rest and recover, allows for brain development and retention of the things we have learned during the day, enabling us to start a new day relaxed and refreshed.
Waking during the night impacts both the child and parent and can make everyday activities more fraught and less enjoyable due to tiredness.
Bedtime routines are also important to help with going of to sleep feeling safe and secure, we can all sleep through the night but sometimes we need a little help.
If you would like some support with helping your child sleep through the night or with night-time routines, please contact us on 01702 534911.