Preparing for your baby’s 12-month checkup

As your baby nears their 1st birthday, their learning becomes more visible. They may push your hand away if they don’t want something and stay with a problem longer. They’re likely trying more foods, too (and getting more than a little messy 🙃). Development, feeding, behavior… these are all topics to discuss with your child’s pediatrician.

At your child’s 12-month doctor’s visit

Bring your questions about breast milk, cow’s milk, and formula.

1. If your baby is happily breastfeeding and it’s working for your family, know that there are a lot of benefits to continuing. The composition of breastmilk changes as your baby grows, and it remains an extremely valuable source of nutrition for your toddler. 
2. If your baby is drinking formula, know that there are benefits to continuing with a toddler version of formula, too. Formula is made to address a toddler’s specific nutritional needs, and contains an optimal balance of protein and fat (look for formula that contains DHA). 
3. If you want to offer whole cow’s milk, you can talk to your doctor about how much water and milk to offer each day. You can also talk to your doctor about plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk and formula. 

Ask to have your baby’s iron checked. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends doing an iron check that will screen your baby for iron deficiency at the 9- or 12-month appointment. Iron deficiency can be hard to detect and can impact a child’s development, so it’s important to screen for it. The test usually consists of a simple finger prick. If your pediatrician didn’t check at the last appointment, be sure to ask about it. 

Ask about feeding and supplements. Around this age, your baby’s appetite may drop as their growth rate slows. As long as you’re offering a variety of wholesome foods, it’s likely okay to let their hunger cues dictate. Talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child’s feeding, like resistance to self-feeding or foods with more texture. You can also ask about supplements like vitamin D or iron. 

Note developmental progress. Pediatrician and Lovevery expert Dr. Mona Amin has the following checklist for monitoring milestones. If your baby had a skill and doesn’t now, be sure to mention it to your pediatrician. 

At this age, your baby should: 

1. Like back-and-forth games like peekaboo
2. Search for hidden objects
3. Look where you point
4. Respond to their own name
5. Use at least one gesture, like waving, shaking their head, or pointing
6. Respond to familiar words like ‘bottle’ or ‘mama’
7. Eat foods other than purees
8. Be able to self-feed and hold their own cup or bottle
9. Stand when supported
10. Use a pincer grasp (pick things up with their thumb and forefinger)

Consider behavior, too. Feel free to ask your pediatrician about developmentally appropriate behaviors such as:

• Separation anxiety
• Tantrums
• Biting and/or hitting