7 Parenting Tips to Consider When Transitioning from the Infant to Toddler Phase

It has been a few years since we have experienced the transition from infant to toddlerhood in our home. In fact, we are now at the transition from elementary to middle school. How in the world that happened so quickly I cannot say, but I do recall the infant to toddler transition being one of the more challenging parenting phases I have had to face. So with Mother’s Day just around the corner, I figured why not share some tips that I have learned along the way that might be beneficial to some new moms reading. Monica, I’m thinking of you!

The infant to toddler phase is not only a significant change for your child, it is a fairly dramatic shift for the parents as well. There are so many things to consider during this time from your child’s nutrition to their sleep habits to all the different developmental milestones that the pediatrician tells you to be watching for. Especially when it is your first baby, it can feel like an overwhelming amount of information to process while all you are trying to do is keep this tiny human alive.

Now is the time when moms should be supporting other moms, dads should be supporting other dads, and parents everywhere should be supporting other parents because it really does take a village to raise a child. We can support one other in this very important mission of raising the next generation of humans by dropping the judgments and simply sharing our experiences, our empathy, and any random magical parenting tricks that have worked for us.

Anyway, here are 7 tips to keep in mind as your child transitions from the infant stage to the toddler phase.

1. Nutrition

As you begin introducing solid foods to your child, it is essential that you ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need. A healthy diet for your child should include a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as proper hydration. It is also important to introduce new foods one at a time so you can watch for signs of allergies. Some parents opt for baby-led weaning which can be a great way to introduce new foods at your child’s own pace.

If you are breastfeeding, you may find that you need to supplement with formula or solid foods sooner than you had anticipated. Pay attention to your child’s cues and speak with your pediatrician if you have any concerns. I personally do not have breastfeeding experience. My first born was premature and we had tremendous issues with latching and eating so I made the decision to formula feed immediately as it relieved a lot of stress for me to do so. I know that breastfeeding is one of those hot button issues where parents can start to judge other parents harshly. I know this personally because the breastfeeding consultant who worked with me in the hospital very emphatically told me that I was going to be a terrible mother because I chose not to breastfeed. These are the kinds of things that no new mother should ever have to experience. You do what is right for you and your child and have confidence in your choices as the parent.

2. Sleep

As your child grows, their sleep needs will change. Most infants sleep approximately 16 hours per day but they should decrease to 11-12 hours by the time they hit the toddler stage. But the toddler stage is when the resistance begins. Once they are independently mobile, the game is on!

Your toddler may be resistant to going to bed at first, but if you implement a consistent bedtime routine they will quickly learn to enjoy the whole process. Include some of your child’s favorite calming activities in their bedtime routine like reading a book, singing lullabies, or taking a warm bath. I always lathered my boys in lavender baby lotion after bath time and it generally settled them down nicely for bedtime.

A successful bedtime needs more than just a solid routine though. Your child needs a comfortable and safe environment for sleeping as well. When your child is still sleeping in a crib, make sure that you know when to lower the crib mattress height and be sure to remove any loose bedding or toys from the crib as these can create safety hazards. Keep the room at a temperature that will keep baby warm and cozy all through the night.

It is also important to note that toddlers are at a higher risk for sleepwalking so pay attention to any strange behaviors you may notice during the night. Thankfully, I never had to deal with sleepwalking children as a parent, but I was very fearful that I might. I was a terrible sleepwalker as a young child and would often try to leave the house in the middle of the night. These sleepwalking episodes lasted from about the age of 2 well into my 20s. If you have concerns about your child’s sleep habits, consult your pediatrician.

3. Developmental Milestones

The toddler years are when tracking critical developmental milestones becomes the focus of every pediatrician visit. These developmental milestones include how well your child can walk, how many words and colors they know, how high can they count, and are they able to follow simple instructions.

While you may feel pressure to ensure that your child reaches the appropriate milestones at the appropriate times, keep in mind that these milestones are also just guidelines and every child grows and develops at their own pace. You should continue to encourage your child to reach these milestones at a pace that is comfortable for them.

Introducing games that involve using small objects or drawing with crayons are a great way to help your child better develop their fine motor skills. One silly game that my kids loved was “pom pom balls in cupcake trays”. I would place different colored construction paper circles into the bottom of cupcake pans. Then I would give the kids a big pile of crafting pom poms and a pair of tweezers. They had to pick up the pom poms with the tweezers and sort them into the matching colored cup. It worked on fine motor skills, color identification, and sorting. And it was simple to assemble and easy to clean up!

You can also encourage your child’s creativity through art materials such as clay and finger paints. Toddlers tend to learn the best through play so just try to provide your child with lots of opportunities to explore and learn and have fun.

4. Temper Tamtrums

I haven’t met a toddler yet who hasn’t had at least one temper tantrum. Unfortunately for parents everywhere, toddlerhood is the stage of the temper tantrum. I read a quote when we were experiencing the tantrum stage and it couldn’t have been more accurate. It said, “We call it the Terrible Twos because Fucking Horrible doesn’t start with a T.”

Let’s face it, temper tantrums can be one of the most frustrating experiences for parents. But it is essential to remember that tantrums are a completely normal part of children’s development. It is how they figure out how to process and express emotions. Temper tantrums are also your child’s first steps towards independence.

One way to deal with temper tantrums is to provide your child with choices so they have the power to make an independent decision. For example, if the tantrum is the result of deciding what to wear for the day, present your child with a few options and allow them to choose one. It makes them feel in control and may prevent a future tantrum from happening.

If a tantrum does occur, remember to stay calm and avoid giving into your child’s demands. Even if the tantrum happens in public. Oh, those are the worst kind of tantrums, aren’t they? I am no stranger to public tantrums and because of that I have only ever offered empathy and support to other parents who have had to deal with public tantrums. Please be careful not to pass judgment on the parent when you see a toddler freaking out in a public place. It really is natural and it really is out of the parent’s control.

Once the tantrum is over and your child has calmed down, it is important to have a conversation with them about what had happened so you can help them better understand their emotions and find healthier ways of expressing them.

5. Potty Training

Potty training is one of the most significant milestones of the toddler years. As with all of the other developmental milestones, every child will make this transition at their own pace, but most will be ready to start potty training around 18 months old.

My oldest was very resistant to potty training and when he was still refusing at 2 1/2 years old, I was forced to lay down an ultimatum. It was the beginning of November and I told him if he was still wearing diapers at Christmas that Santa was going to bring me all the toys and he would only get diapers and wipes under the tree. He was fully potty trained and accident free by Thanksgiving! Hey, sometimes ultimatums do work. My second child took off his diaper at 18 months and never put one on again not even for bedtime. Easiest potty training story ever!

When you are ready to prepare for potty training, consider getting a potty chair or seat to provide your child with a sense of safety when sitting on the toilet. Also make sure to get comfortable underwear for your child as they transition out of diapers. You can even let your child pick out their new underwear which is another great way of supporting their independence.

The next step is to start talking to your child about using the toilet and why it is important. When your child is ready to start sitting on the toilet, be sure to have lots of patience with them and give them plenty of time to adjust to this new process. There will likely be accidents along the way and it is important to keep encouraging your child. Eventually they get the hang of it!

6. Disciplining Your Toddler

Discipline might be one of the hardest things to do as a parent but is so crucial to begin during the toddler years. Knowing the difference between right and wrong is not an inherent thing. Children need to be taught appropriate behaviors and we do this mostly through leading by example. However, children won’t always pick up on those examples and they might need more explicit lessons in learning right from wrong.

One proven method of discipline for toddlers is the infamous time-out. A time-out is simply the act of removing your child from the situation where they are misbehaving and allowing them time to sit quietly and calm down for a few minutes. Trying to rationalize with an emotional toddler is a completely fruitless endeavor so wait until your child is calm before speaking to them about their behavior. I always used counting and breathing techniques with my kids to get them to calm down in situations like this.

Another important aspect of discipline is the reinforcement of your child’s good behaviors. When you praise your child for behaving well, it will encourage them to continue doing so as they start to feel a sense of independent pride.

The entire process of discipline and praise is very challenging as each child will respond differently to each tactic that you apply. This is yet another reason why parents need to be supporting other parents by sharing experiences and stories.

Just have lots of patience and tons of love and eventually your child will learn what is expected and how to behave properly. Obviously, if you think your child has behavioral issues that may need more attention, discuss it with your pediatrician.

7. Stimulation

When you picture a toddler’s energy, it’s easy to understand how too much stimulation can become overwhelming for their little bodies and brains. Be mindful of this when you have your child in a new place or surrounded by lots of new people. Too much new input can quickly overload your toddler which could result in temper tantrums or other undesirable behaviors. Structured routines are very helpful for minimizing overload during this transition period.

On the flip side, not enough stimulation can also be detrimental to your toddler’s development. So make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for your child to explore, play, and learn new things every day.

Basically, too little or too much stimulation can lead to behavioral problems in toddlers so it is essential to find a healthy balance. Many children today are being exposed to more screen time at younger ages. This is the world we live and we cannot avoid it. But it is important to monitor and limit screen time for your toddlers. Too much screen time can lead to developmental delays, behavioral problems, and sleep issues in children. It is much easier to prevent these issues from developing by limiting screen time.

I know it’s a lot to consider while you are already feeling overwhelmed by parenthood. But keep in mind that with time, patience, and persistence, you and your child will transition through this stage into the next one. Before you know it, they will be going to middle school!

If you have any valuable parenting tips to add, please feel free to share them in the comments. It is one of the best ways to support other parents on the same journey.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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