Your 19 - 21-Month-Old Toddler — Physical, Social, And Cognitive Milestones

Life with a 19- to 21-month old is a lot like bodysurfing — you just take a deep breath, dive in headfirst, try to keep your head above water as much as possible and remain in a perpetual state of motion until you find solid footing. Your little one is likely walking, climbing, running, jumping, throwing things, dancing and, in short, giving you one heck of a motherhood ride.

Of course, life is so sweet right now that it does feel a little like an endless summer to you. Since your toddler’s personality is really starting to shine, each day is another chance to get to know the super-cool little human you created. As far as what else you can expect right now, here are a few more 19- to 21-month old milestones.

Your 19 to 21-Month-Old Toddler’s Development & Growth Milestones

How much should a 19 to 21-month-old weigh?

Seriously, don’t freak out if baby isn’t on a steady gain incline like they were when they were an infant. Physical growth slows dramatically at this age, with children typically gaining only 6 additional pounds (and growing only 3 more inches) between their first and second birthdays.

With that said, the average weight of the 19- to 21-month-old baby girl is 23.9 to 24.9 pounds, and the average weight of the 19- to 21-month-old baby boy is 24.6 to 25.5 pounds. As always, though, every child is different and deviation from these figures could also be totally normal. If you’re concerned, ask your child’s pediatrician at their next well check.

How much, and what, should a 19- to 21-month-old be eating?

The war between you and your finicky toddler wages on at the high chair. If you have a well-rounded, ravenous eater, relish it — many toddlers this age will readily rebel at the food presented to them.

Try not to let it frustrate you, and shoot for a similar diet as you have: three meals and two snacks per day. Baby also needs 700mg of calcium per day, so if they aren’t getting it from food, it’s recommended they have about three 8-ounce cups of whole milk. As a general rule of thumb, you should also try to get in ¾ to 1 cup of fruits and veggies along with ¼ cup grains and three tablespoons of protein every day.

How much should a 19 to 21-month-old baby sleep?

You might be dealing with a picky eater, but here’s a silver lining: Your 19- to 21-month-old toddler is getting a decent amount of sleep. Most kids this age need around 11 to 12 hours of sleep at night, plus around 1 ½ to 3 hours during the day (for a total of about 13 to 14 hours of sleep per day).

Because there are always exceptions to the rule, your child might wake up at night screaming or hysterical but unable to really “wake up.” This is known as a night terror and, yes, it’s as horrible as it sounds. The best thing you can do is comfort them as much as possible, keep them safe, and get them calm enough to go back to sleep.

Your 19 to 21-Month-Old Toddler’s Physical, Social, And Cognitive Milestones

Should a baby be walking at 19- to 21-months-old?

By now, your baby should be walking. At this point, they’re actually probably enjoying learning just how much range of motion they really have: jumping, squatting, pushing, throwing, dancing, climbing, bending, and more. Your toddler is a force of nature!

With all of this going on, it’s more important to ever to keep a close eye on your little one (they love to scoop things up while they’re bending and pop unidentified objects in their mouths). Make sure you’re child-proofing is in place and ready for whatever your little one can throw at it — like, literally.

Should a baby be talking at 19- to 21-months-old?

Not only is your baby likely talking by now, but they might also be turning into a veritable chatterbox. Most 19- to 21-month-olds can say around 10 to 20 words, while some know 50 or more and can put two or more together to make a phrase. If your little one isn’t speaking at this point or isn’t vocalizing as much as you feel they should be, bring it up to the pediatrician. It may not be a cognitive concern, but your child could have hearing trouble.

What are some behavioral issues a 19- to 21-month-old might have?

Remember how your baby is a delight in so many ways because his critical period of development includes them being more curious, sociable, and enthusiastic? Good; hold onto that feeling. You’ll probably need it during this toddlerhood place in time. It might be a well-timed bonk that lands squarely on your nose. It could be biting, hitting or scratching. But the long and short of it is that your 19- to 21-month-old toddler is going to act out at some point.

Don’t take it personally, Mama; usually, this “bad behavior” is just your toddler’s way of experimenting with new behaviors and modes of expression. They’re also trying to assert their independence more, so they might get angry with you for being the voice of reason.

Another possible trigger? Taking away their screen time. If you’ve been allowing your little one TV, tablet or phone time, just keep in mind that doctors suggest children this age get less than an hour of screen time a day (and even that should ideally be educational).

Should a 19- to 21-month-old be potty training?

Although most kids aren’t fully ready to start potty training until 27 to 32 months, your little one might show early signs of readiness. If that’s the case, feel free to get an early start — just be realistic about the potential for regressive episodes. Something you can definitely do during this age is foster your child’s interest and knowledge of using the potty by reading board books with them.

Your 19- to 21-Month-Old Toddler’s Health

Should my 19- to 21-month-old have a checkup?

Unless you missed your little one’s 18-month checkup or they have a health issue that requires attention, you’re probably off the hook for doctor’s visits during this time. Another exception to consider is whether or not your child is due for any immunizations.

Will my 19- to 21-month-old get any vaccines?

Your child’s annual influenza immunization may fall into the 19- to 21-month window. Also, it’s possible your child could get a Hepatitis A immunization if they hadn’t received it previously.

Written by Julie Sprankles.

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