• In the 12th month, babies typically gain 100-150 grams per week and grow around 1 cm per month.
• By the end of the first year, babies are usually triple their birth weight.

Average Measurements for Indian Babies:
 

Motor Development:

• Walking: Some babies may take their first steps at this stage. They might be holding onto furniture or walking with assistance.
• Fine Motor Skills: Your baby will start to use a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up small objects, improving their hand-eye coordination.
• Climbing: Some babies start to show an interest in climbing on furniture or other surfaces.

• Standing Alone: Many babies can stand for a few seconds without support and may even squat and stand back up again.

  Cognitive Development:

• Object Permanence: Your baby will start to understand that objects still exist even when they can’t be seen. This is why peek-a-boo becomes so much fun at this age.
• Problem-Solving: They begin to use objects in more meaningful ways, such as stacking blocks or placing shapes into the correct holes in shape sorters.

• Exploration: Babies at this stage explore their environment with curiosity, touching and manipulating objects to learn about them.

  Communication and Language Development:

• First Words: Many babies say their first word around this time, such as “mama,” “dada,” or simple words for common objects.
• Gestures: They start using gestures like waving goodbye, pointing, or clapping to communicate.
• Understanding Commands: Your baby may understand simple commands like “come here,” “give me,” or “no.”

Social and Emotional Development:

• Separation Anxiety: At this stage, babies often experience separation anxiety and may cry when a parent leaves the room.
• Imitation: Babies at 12 months love to imitate the actions of adults. They may pretend to talk on the phone, brush their hair, or feed their dolls.
• Social Interaction: They enjoy playing games with you, like clapping hands or bringing you objects to show you.

Teething

With more teeth in place, your little one is getting ready for a diet of more solid foods.

• By now, your baby may have around six to eight teeth, including incisors and first molars. Teething may continue with emerging canine (cuspid) teeth.
• Mild gum swelling, chewing urges, and occasional night waking. Your baby may be more sensitive to temperature changes in food.
• Continue brushing with a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Schedule a follow-up pediatric dental check-up to ensure healthy oral development.

Baby Feeding Techniques

Breastfeeding:

• If you're still breastfeeding, your baby will continue to benefit from your milk for its nutritional content and comfort.
• Many mothers begin to transition to more solid foods by this stage.

Bottle Feeding

• If you're using formula, your baby may still be taking 3-4 bottles a day but may start drinking less as they eat more solids.

Finger Foods

• At this stage, babies can eat soft finger foods like small pieces of fruit, steamed vegetables, or crackers.

Milk Supply in the First Year

Breastfeeding Mothers:

• Breast milk continues to be a great source of nutrition, but you may begin to offer whole milk as well.
• Your baby may nurse 3-4 times a day at 12 months.

Formula Feeding:

Continue using formula for at least the first year if you haven't transitioned to cow's milk yet.

• Meals: You can now feed your baby three meals a day with two snacks.
• Breast Milk or Formula: Typically 2-3 feedings of breast milk or formula.
• Water: Start offering water in a sippy cup. Avoid juice unless recommended by your paediatrician.

Signs Your Baby is Hungry:

• Reaching for food or opening their mouth when you offer food.
• Crying or getting fussy around mealtime.

Signs Your Baby is Full:

• Pushing food away or turning their head.
• Reaching for something else to signal they are done.

Sleep Patterns in the Twelfth Month:

• Babies usually sleep 12-14 hours in total, including one or two naps during the day.
• Night sleep might last 10-12 hours, although some babies may still wake up once or twice.
• Keep the sleep environment calm and safe, using a firm mattress and placing your baby on their back to sleep.

Baby Vaccine Schedule

Ensure your baby receives the following vaccines at 12 months:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Booster dose PCV (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Hepatitis A

Always check with your paediatrician to verify your child's vaccination schedule.

Newborn Baby Essentials

• Soft clothes for active toddlers.
• Safe toys to encourage exploration.
• A highchair for solid meals.
• A stroller for outings.

Baby Bath

Oil massage before bath is a cherished practice in Indian culture; hence, it’s beneficial to bathe your baby after the massage.

• Bathe your baby with lukewarm water.
• Use a gentle, fragrance-free baby soap to clean their skin.
• Avoid vigorous scrubbing; pat your baby dry with a soft towel after the bath.
• Keep their face and folds clean.