Of course, we all know that having a baby presents a whole range of challenges. But it is also true to say that these challenges don’t end when they become a toddler. In fact, a whole range of new issues will start to present themselves! So, if you have a baby who is growing up quickly or you would simply like to know a little bit more regarding the challenges that are out there, then this article is for you.
Increased Mobility
Gone are the days when you would be able to put your baby in one place and they would stay there. One of the biggest challenges that you face when your baby becomes a toddler is that they will want to move – all the time! The issue with this is that they still haven’t yet developed a sense of danger, so you really do have to be on high alert at all times to make sure they don’t hurt themselves. However, on the plus side, you don’t have to keep carrying them around everywhere all the time!
Self-Feeding
Over time, your child will learn to be able to feed themselves, but they will make quite the mess while they are doing so! The advantage is that you don’t have to buy or make as much special food but the downside is that you will have to be careful with what they put in their mouth as quite a lot becomes a choking hazard. As well as this, you will need to closely supervise them while they are attempting to feed themselves.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Most babies have a morning nap routine that continues until after their first birthday, though this sometimes happens earlier. Although this is obviously an adjustment for your baby to deal with, it is also one that you need to contend with yourself! The bright side is that if they sleep less during the day, they will hopefully need to sleep less at night. You should also look into the ways in which transitioning from crib to bed is possible.
Engagement
Rather than taking a passive approach to what is going on around them, toddlers are much more actively engaged with the world. To help them along with this change, you will probably want to get some toddler toys that are more stimulating for them. Though it is great that they are more engaged, this can also throw up a whole host of new challenges as they try to experience everything that is going on around them.
Demands
In days gone by, your baby will have gone along with whatever you wanted – with some protests from time to time. However, toddlers tend to be much more strong-minded and will not always like what you have got planned for them. They will be starting to develop ideas about their likes and dislikes which can often be very irrational! Unfortunately, until you can properly explain to them why they can and can’t do certain things, this is a phase that you will just have to ride out. However, there are a few ways that you can try to improve their behaviour.