Resources

Checkups at 15 Months

What Can Your Baby Do?

• She should drink from a cup and be weaned from the bottle completely.
• He says "Mama" and "Dada." He should have a vocabulary of 3-6 words and will often use gestures. He will listen while you read a story.
• She may walk well, but be clumsy when she runs. It is normal for her feet to turn in or out a little.
• He will be more independent. He will tell you what he wants by pulling or pointing.
• She may want to climb the stairs, but she will need help at this age.
• He can stack 2 blocks. He may place objects inside boxes and then retrieve them.
• She can feed herself.
• He understands simple commands.
• She will search for hidden objects.
• He will recognize himself in the mirror.
• She will play simple games such as rolling a ball, hiding objects, and playing with cards.

What Can Your Baby Eat?

• He should be eating the same foods you eat as long as his food does not need prolonged grinding (steak, nuts, hard candy). Give him no more than 16-18 ounces of whole milk a day.
• She will try to feed herself. Encourage her self-feeding even though she is messy. Use a training cup. It is normal for her to enjoy making messes.
• Do not give him hard foods such as nuts, raw carrots, or popcorn since he might choke on them. Avoid giving large pieces of hot dogs to any child less than 3 years old. Hot dogs are the most common serious cause of choking because the slick skin allows his hot dog to slip down into his breathing passages.
• You should stop all of her bottle feedings within 1 week since continued use may lead her to multiple cavities, ear infections, and choking.
• His appetite may decrease at this age because he will not grow as rapidly in his second year of life. However, he should have a balanced diet.
• If she is a good eater, vitamins are unnecessary.
• If your home does not have fluoride in the water, a fluoride vitamin will be prescribed for him.

Immunizations

The following immunizations may be given in the second year of life:

• Measles- along with polio, measles is probably the most dangerous of the childhood diseases. This is a viral infection that causes high fever, an impressive rash, extensive cough, and brain inflammation. Your child may have a rash and mild fever about 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine.
• Mumps- a mild disease in children that causes swelling of the salivary glands, but is also a frequent cause of brain inflammation. Adults can also have joint swelling and painful inflammation of the ovaries or testicles.
• Rubella- also called the 3-day measles, is a very mild illness of limited importance except that it causes severe birth defects if acquired in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Chickenpox- a viral illness that causes a rash of tiny vesicles (blisters) all over the body. Severe cases also lead to pneumonia and brain swelling. The vaccine may cause a few vesicles to appear around the site of injection or other places on your child's body.
• Polio- a viral infection that caused paralysis in thousands of children yearly in the 1950's. Your baby may receive the oral form this year assuming that she has previously received the killed vaccine.
• Diphtheria- a respiratory and heart disease that used to kill thousands every year.
• Tetanus- a bacterial infection of dirty wounds that can be life-threatening.
• Pertussis- also known as whooping cough, this respiratory illness is particularly dangerous for young babies and is always in the community in a small number of cases.
• Hemophilus- the bacteria that was the most frequent cause of meningitis and other serious infections of the blood and lungs until widespread use of this vaccine.
• These vaccines are usually combined together to reduce the number of injections. Improvements in the vaccines have reduced the fever and other side effects that children use to have.

Blood Test:

Your baby needs a lead test if:

1. He lives or regularly visits a house built before 1960, an old house with peeling or chipping paint, a home with lead plumbing, a home on a major highway, or one near a lead-producing or battery recycling plant.
2. You have given her any home remedies that contain lead.
3. Any of his friends or brothers or sisters have had lead poisoning or he eats paint chips or dirt.
4. She is around an adult who works with lead in construction, welding, pottery, bullets, fishing weights, a firing range, stained glass, refinishing furniture, or car repair.

Accident Prevention

• You should directly supervise your baby on the playground at all times to avoid injuries to him.
• Do not leave her alone with plastic bags or balloons.
• Use a car restraint for him. Do not place young children in the front seat of a car with airbags.
• Stairs should have gates as a protection for her. Be very careful if your baby likes to climb.
• Keep matches and lighters locked away. Be very watchful when he is around space heaters or in your kitchen during cooking.
• Never leave her alone near water, the street, or in a car.
• Protect him from common household poisons such as liquor, mothballs, furniture polish, drain cleaners, weed killers, insect and rat poisons, kerosene, bleach, cosmetics, and dishwasher detergents.
• Iron vitamins are a very common cause of death by poisoning in children.
• A plastic lock box with a combination lock is inexpensive and will protect her from the most dangerous drugs for years to come.
• Remember that 25% of childhood poisonings occur at the grandparent's house. This is because they may not have their home child-proofed and because they are often taking dangerous drugs for heart disease, high blood pressure, or sleep problems.
• The number for Poison Control is 1-800-POISON 1 (1-800- 764-7661).
• Keep toilet seats down to avoid drowning or injury to your baby's hands and fingers.
• Only use medicine bottles with safety caps. Use safety latches on drawers and cupboards.

Emotional and Social Development

• He is still too young to toilet train.
• Read, sing, and dance with her every day. Avoid interruptions during this time since this is a special time for you and your baby.
• Sucking his thumb or fingers is normal and should not be discouraged.
• Consistent discipline in love from both parents is very important for your baby. Try to give her more praise than criticism.
• Your baby may occasionally wake up at night. A night-light might help him to sleep.
• It is normal for her to have a favorite security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal.
• He may not like to have his diaper changed. Giving him a toy as a distraction is often helpful.

 

Height ________ percentile ________

Weight ________ percentile ________

Head Circumference__________ percentile ________