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Toddler at 18–24 months: eating, sleeping and development

Stage: 18–24 months

Sleep

1 nap of about 1.5–2.5 hours

Feeding

Fully eats with the family: no added salt or sugar, vegetables and fruit daily, whole grains where possible. Work towards fixed meal and snack times (3 meals + max 2 snacks) — grazing all day spoils appetite. You decide what and when; your child decides how much: the plate doesn't have to be empty.

Dairy: About 2 cups (16 oz) of whole milk a day; water and milk as drinks, juice limited or skipped.

Diaper size

Size 5, 27+ lb (12–17 kg); bigger toddlers size 6.

Development at this stage

• Walks confidently and climbs
• Combines two words ('more milk')
• Simple pretend play
• Recognizes and points to body parts
• Growing sense of own will — 'no' and tantrums are part of it

Care & things to watch

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; parent brushes (or finishes off)
• Wind down daytime pacifier use — prolonged use affects teeth and speech
• Movement: toddlers need at least 3 hours of active play spread across the day
• Screen time: under 2, avoid except video calls; from 2, at most 1 hour of high-quality content, watched together (AAP)
• Tantrums are part of developing autonomy — staying calm and predictable helps most
• Don't force potty training; your child sets the pace
• Grapes and cherry tomatoes still need cutting lengthwise, until age 4
• Window guards on, medicines and cleaning products up high — toddlers climb everything
• Well-child visits at 18, 24 and 30 months: language, behavior, growth and an autism screening (M-CHAT) at 18 and 24 months
• Dental check-ups every 6 months from the first visit

Other ages: 0–6 weeks · 6–12 weeks · 3–4 months · 4–6 months · 6–9 months · 9–12 months · 12–18 months · 2–3 years · 3–4 years · 4–5 years