19-Month-Old-Baby: Feeding, Sleep, and Milestones By Month

Reaching 19 months is an exciting time for both toddlers and their parents. This stage marks significant growth in various developmental areas, including physical, cognitive, and social skills. Understanding the 19-month milestones to look out for can help caregivers provide the best support for their child’s growth and well-being. This article will cover key 19-month milestones, health considerations, feeding and sleep schedules, daily activities, and helpful tips for parents of a toddler.

Your 19-month-old is constantly taking in and making sense of their surroundings and discovering how to interact with their environment. They’re learning new tasks and information every day. Each toddler is on their own timeline, and no two children develop at the same rate, but there are some upcoming 19-month milestones to look out for.¹ Mastering these skills is called development, which we can measure in specific milestones. Developmental milestones can be broken down into different domains or arenas based on muscle groups and brain usage, including:^1,2

Language and communication milestones involve understanding and saying words and ultimately putting them together. So, how many words should a 19-month-old say? You can expect anywhere between 10 and 50 words at this age, even if their pronunciation is unclear. Here are some other language and communication milestones for a 19-month-old:^2,3,4

• Points to indicate they want something
• Points to the correct image when you ask, “Where is the apple?” or “Show me the dog”
• Understands and follows a one-step direction, such as “Go grab your coat” or “Find your ball in the playroom”
• Imitates or repeats a two-word sentence, such as “Daddy’s home!” or “Where’s puppy?”
• Names familiar objects, items, or people in their world
• Starts putting together two words representing different ideas, such as “Want some,” “Dog bark,” or “Kitty gone” (this is different from saying two words that represent a single idea, like “all done” or “What’s this?”)

At 19 months, walking is the primary mode of moving around, as opposed to crawling. Your baby’s gross motor milestones, which involve large muscle movements, include the following:^2,4,5

• From standing, squats or bends over to pick up an object off the floor, then returns to standing without any support
• Walks well and rarely falls
• Climbs on a stool or chair to reach something they want, such as an item on the counter
• Walks up or down a set of stairs while holding your hand, a railing, or the wall
• Imitates you kicking a large ball
• Attempts to use their feet to propel a riding toy forward
• Appears more coordinated when trying to run
• Climbs chairs and other low pieces of furniture without assistance

Fine motor milestones involve small muscle movements and occupational/self-care tasks. Here are fine motor milestones for a 19-month-old:^2,4

• Throws a small ball with forward arm motion, as opposed to simply dropping it
• Stacks two to three small blocks or toys on top of one another without assistance
• Makes marks on paper with the tip of a writing instrument such as a crayon, pen, or colored pencil when attempting to draw
• Turns the pages of a book by themselves (though they may turn more than one page at a time)
• Feeds themself using a fork or spoon and usually puts the spoon in their mouth the correct way (so that not much food spills off)
• Sips from a cup and sets it down with little spilling
• Separates connected blocks by pulling them apart
• Helps dress or undress themselves

Milestones in this area relate to your child taking in the world around them through sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. Here are the sensory milestones to be aware of in a 19-month-old baby:^6,7

• Is uncomfortable in a dirty diaper
• Differentiates between food and inedible objects
• Recognizes and reacts to extremes in temperature and understands hot and cold
• Understands the danger of hot, sharp, or steep objects and situations
• Expresses enjoyment at sensory or messy play
• Enjoys affection and likes hugs and kisses from familiar people

These types of milestones involve things like playing, imagination, copying, and asking for help. Explore the personal, social, and emotional milestones to look out for in your 19-month-old below:^2,5,8

• Hugs dolls or stuffed animals
• Tries to get your attention by pulling on your clothes or hand
• Approaches you when they need help or asks for help with a task like turning on a toy or putting the lid on a jar
• Copies your activities, such as sweeping, wiping down counters, brushing hair, or shaving
• Engages in pretend play, like talking on the phone, feeding a baby doll, or driving a toy car figurine
• Enjoys hearing stories and singing songs
• Looks in the direction you’re pointing
• Shows pride in accomplishments and looks for praise, like applauding themselves or beaming with pride after a physical or mental challenge
• Says “No!” frequently, which reflects an understanding of autonomy, choice, and identity (they may simply seem grumpy or defiant, but they’re actually asserting their newfound independence!)

Also, 19-month-old tantrums can be common over things like separation from you or transitioning out of preferred activities. Crying and screaming at this age is expected sometimes, but your child should be able to calm down within 15 minutes. They shouldn’t try to hurt themselves or others by hitting, kicking, or biting.⁸ To help your child through a tantrum, you can validate the feeling, hold boundaries while keeping them safe, and give them an alternative (tell them something they can do instead). For example, “I know you’re frustrated. You can’t hit, but you can stomp your feet or hit this pillow.”

Your 19-month-old should be eating three meals per day and two to three snacks at this age — a total of five to six eating sessions in a day. A regular feeding schedule helps your toddler learn what foods to expect and when. You control what foods to offer your child, and they decide whether and how much they want to eat.⁹ Mealtimes can be opportunities not only to eat together but also to bond as a family!⁸

Focus on offering your child a variety of foods from the following food groups:⁹

Depending on what you have access to, aim to present a variety of fruits to your child to expose them to different colors, flavors, and textures. Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits are all good options, as long as they have no added sugar. Aim for ¼ to ½ cup of fruits per meal or snack for two to four servings of fruit per day.^9,10

Dark green, red, and orange vegetables all provide different essential nutrients to your toddler. You can offer vegetables raw or cooked, but pay attention to how they’re prepared and cut due to choking hazards. Aim for ¼ to ½ cup of vegetables per meal or snack for a total of three to five servings of vegetables per day.^9,10

Whole-wheat bread and pasta, whole-grain cereal, corn tortillas, quinoa, or brown rice are good options for whole grains, which can be a good source of fiber and even protein. Aim for two to three servings of whole grains daily.²⁵ A serving consists of one slice of bread or ¼ to ½ cup of pasta, rice, or cereal.^9,10

Poultry, meat, eggs, fish, and legumes like beans and nuts are all good sources of protein for young children. A serving of protein should be about the size of your child’s palm, and toddlers should eat two to three servings of protein daily.^9,10

19-month-olds can drink 8 to 16 ounces of whole milk per day, and they can have a total of two to three 1-cup servings of dairy (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese) per day. Too much milk can hinder a toddler’s appetite for other foods and increase their risk for anemia (low iron in the blood).²⁶ It’s also great if your child continues to breastfeed. Keep in mind that they may naturally cut back on breastmilk as their food consumption continues to increase.^9,10

Foods To Limit and Avoid at 19 Months

While variety in your 19-month-old’s diet is essential, and most food and drink items are fine in moderation, there are a few foods to limit or avoid at this age:

Full-fat cow’s milk is a great source of protein and calcium, but too much milk can interfere with your toddler’s appetite for other food. This, in turn, increases their risk for anemia. Try offering ½ cup (4 fluid ounces) of milk three to four times per day in a cup, not a bottle, but give them no more than 16 ounces in a day.⁹

While juice does provide some of the same nutritional benefits as fruit, it’s often higher in sugar and lower in fiber than whole fruit. So, limit your child’s juice intake to 4 ounces per day or less. For beverages, offer them water or milk, and give them whole fruit to satisfy their fruit juice craving.⁹

Sugar provides calories and energy to toddlers, but if they eat foods with too much added sugar, they may fill up on “empty” calories while missing out on the nutrients of foods with less added sugar. Avoid soda, energy or sports drinks, fruit drinks, and flavored milks.^9,10

Adding salt to food enhances or brings out its flavor, but salt is an acquired taste. Taste buds can get used to it and crave more and more. In adulthood, excess salt can cause high blood pressure, so avoid getting your child accustomed to overly salty food this young. Additionally, foods high in salt are often highly processed (such as potato chips, canned soups, and hot dogs), and you likely want to limit these for your little one anyway. Consider cooking with herbs and spices or lemon juice instead to provide depth of flavor.^9,10

While each family’s menu and feeding schedule will be a bit different from day to day and family to family, here’s a sample feeding schedule for your 19-month-old:

7:30 a.m.
Breakfast: Yogurt with berries and unsweetened whole-grain cereal
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack: Apple slices with peanut butter or cheese cubes
12:00 p.m.
Lunch: Whole-grain bread with turkey and avocado, steamed carrots
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack: Crackers with hummus or cheese or a smoothie pouch
5:30 p.m.
Dinner: Grilled chicken, quinoa, and broccoli

Many 19-month-olds are picky eaters, which can be so frustrating for parents who just want their children to be healthy and well-nourished. You can combat picky eating by:^11,12

• Continuing to offer a variety of balanced meals and snacks
• Allowing self-feeding when possible
• Letting them get hungry before trying something new
• Offering new foods alongside ones they’re familiar with
• Staying calm at mealtime
• Not using food as a punishment or reward

Food and sleep are the two essential fuels for your toddler’s growth and development. So, they need to get the recommended amount of sleep each day to meet their 19-month milestones. At this age, your toddler should be getting between 11 and 14 hours of sleep total in a 24-hour period, meaning this cumulative number includes naps.¹³

A sleep regression is a period of excessive nighttime wakefulness, fighting naps, and fighting bedtime. While not all toddlers go through this, it’s a common phenomenon around 19 months as their physical, mental, and emotional development skyrockets.¹⁴ If your child experiences a 19-month sleep regression, it shouldn’t last more than a week or two.¹⁴ When they emerge from the regression, they should no longer have trouble falling asleep at naptime or nighttime, consistently sleep more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period, and not wake three or more times per night.⁸

To avoid or manage a sleep regression, stick to a predictable schedule. While it doesn’t have to be rigid, keep their bedtime, wake time, and nap time on a familiar routine to avoid sleeping difficulties. Make sure they get plenty of activity throughout the day and have limited screen time, especially one hour before bed.¹³

Again, by 19 months of age, your child should be sleeping 11-14 hours total per day and should be down to one nap per day.^13,14 Here’s a sample sleep schedule for your 19-month-old:

7:00 a.m.
Daily wake up
12:30 p.m.
Nap time
3:00 p.m.
Nap wake up
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime

Between eating, sleeping, and activities, you might be wondering how it all fits together! Every family and every day might be a bit different, but here’s a sample daily schedule for a 19-month-old. Feel free to tailor it for the weather, the season, and any other preferences of you or your toddler!

7:00 a.m.
Wake up
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Outdoor walk
9:00 a.m.
Art or music activity
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack
10:30 a.m.
Free play
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Naptime
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack
3:30 p.m.
Outdoor play
4:30 p.m.
Storytime, games, or toys
5:30 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 p.m.
Bath time
7:00 p.m.
Books, songs, prayers, and snuggles
7:30 p.m.
Bedtime

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well-child visits at 18 months of age and again at 24 months. If your child hasn’t yet seen their pediatrician for their 18-month visit, they may be seen at 19 months old. Regular health check-ups are crucial during this developmental stage. Pediatric visits should monitor and administer the following:^5,27

• Developmental screenings to examine your child’s behavior and ensure they’re meeting most of the milestones listed above (they may screen for autism spectrum disorders and refer you to other services such as speech, physical, and occupational therapies)
• Health screenings for nutrition, growth, vital signs, lead poisoning, anemia, hearing and vision issues, dental progress/concerns (unless your toddler has already seen a dentist), and any other concerns you may have
• Immunizations and vaccines such as Hepatitis A (if they didn’t receive it at 12 months), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis/whooping cough), COVID vaccine booster, and influenza vaccine if it’s flu season

While 19-month-olds are learning to talk, they may not have the words or ability to communicate their feelings and articulate when something feels off in their body. So, it’s important to look for certain signs in your child. Some common health concerns to watch out for at this age include:

If your child is irritable and restless, crying more than usual, having trouble sleeping, losing their appetite, or using words like “ouch,” “hurts,” or “boo-boo,” they may be in pain. It can be difficult to tell where toddler pain is coming from, but you can ask them and see if they will point. Stay with your child and create a soft, quiet, soothing space. Hold, hug, or cuddle them, and consider distraction tactics like stories, bubbles, pictures, or music. If your child is inconsolable, suffers an acute injury, and is in pain (or is in pain often and without a known cause), reach out to your pediatrician or go to the nearest emergency room.²⁰

Most of the time, pain in toddlers can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Their doses are weight-based at this age, so talk to your provider about how much and how often to give these medications.²¹ Some common sources of pain in toddlers include:²¹

• Sore throat: In babies and toddlers, most sore throats are caused by a virus that just needs to run its course over seven to 10 days. Strep throat is very rare at this age, but if you suspect a sore throat, you can take your child to their pediatrician to determine if they need testing or antibiotics.
• Earache: There are many causes of ear pain in toddlers, including an infection, swimmer’s ear, sinus pressure from colds, and even teething. The only way to know the cause of an earache is an examination of the ear with an otoscope. Your pediatrician can look inside the ear to determine the best treatment.
• Teething: Around 16-22 months, the canine teeth typically erupt. Some toddlers have no pain at all while their teeth are coming in, but if your child is drooling more than usual, biting on toys, and seems in pain, it may be from teething.

A fever (body temperature elevated to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when measured rectally) is the body’s response to an illness — it helps the body fight an infection. Fevers can be uncomfortable, though, and should be treated if your 19-month-old seems extra fussy, is thirsty, doesn’t want to eat, or isn’t sleeping well. Fevers can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but never give your toddler aspirin. Also, fevers can occasionally cause a febrile seizure, which can be scary but most often isn’t concerning. Febrile seizures go away on their own without any complications.^22,28

However, if your child is seizing for more than a minute, turning colors, or has any associated injuries, get medical help immediately. Evidence doesn’t show that treating the fever reduces the risk of febrile seizure. If the fever lasts longer than 24 hours at this age, you should contact your child’s pediatrician.^22,28

While spending your days with your beloved toddler is such a privilege, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out how to fill the time. Here are some activities to consider with your little one:

Consider investing in a toddler tower or a stool to have your child help you cook in the kitchen. I got one off Facebook Marketplace! There are also safe toddler utensils and knives to use for food prep. Not only is this a fun activity for you to do together, but it may also interest them in a new meal they’re otherwise opposed to trying.¹¹

Reading to your toddler is great for developing their cognitive and language skills through immersing them in words and stories. Additionally, reading a book together is great for bonding because you’re experiencing a shared story and are often seated close together.¹⁵ Reading together frequently can help your child meet the 19-month milestone of being able to turn the pages of a book and attain better kindergarten-readiness!^2,29

Creative activities like painting and coloring are great for 19-month-olds. Art is a form of sensory play that invokes sight and touch. It also builds fine motor skills, improves hand-eye coordination, and can help them express themselves.¹⁶ You can even get creative yourself and plan activities based on the season or any upcoming holidays.

Listening to and creating music are excellent forms of self-expression. Early exposure to music can foster creativity, communication, math skills, and motor development. You can listen to music together, follow the directions of an interactive song, tap out the beat, sing together, and even create your own instruments, like singing through a paper towel roll or making a shaker from dried beans inside a plastic Easter egg.¹⁷ You can also check local schedules to see if there’s a toddler music class in your area — I participated in one of these when my first daughter was 19 months old, and that’s where I met some of my closest mom friends!

Walking outside with your little one in a stroller exposes them to nature, other sights and sounds, sunlight, and perhaps interactions with neighbors and animals. Plus, walking is free and can be a time of great bonding. You’re away from the distractions of technology and can narrate the weather, the terrain, other pedestrians, and everything else you see and hear on the walk. The bonus is that you get a bit of exercise as well!¹⁸

At 19 months old, toddlers are likely to play alone without showing much interest in playing with others. They’ll also likely be possessive of their toys, have trouble sharing, and want to stay in their own play area. Even though they’re typically too young to interact with other children during play, they may still enjoy playing alongside other kids or watching children play without participating.¹⁹ Consider getting together with other young kids for a playdate as an activity for your little one. As a plus, you may get some socialization with other parents!

As your baby grows into a moving, running, climbing toddler, they become more at risk for injuries, which are the leading cause of death in toddlers in the United States.²³ Injuries are every parent’s worst nightmare, and accidents can happen to even the most attentive parents. So, follow the safety tips below to prevent injuries, learn first aid, and seek medical attention immediately in the event of an injury. Here are some hazards to look out for and tips to keep your little one safe:

While your child should start to differentiate food from nonfood items at this age, they still explore their world by putting lots of things in their mouths.⁶ Keep all cleaners and medications in a locked cabinet out of reach of curious hands and wandering eyes. Also, keep all products in their original containers, so if you ever need to contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, you know exactly what your child may have ingested.²³

Your toddler is on the move and may be tempted to climb and explore because they don’t yet understand caution or danger. Be aware of where you leave stools, chairs, and other furniture (otherwise, they may try to climb on counters, windows, and high ledges!). Block off all steep staircases with a latched door or a gate. Ensure your child can’t open second-story windows.²³

Furniture like televisions, dressers, and bookshelves can tip over onto children and crush them or cause internal injuries. To prevent furniture from tipping onto your child, anchor large furniture items to the studs of a wall, install drawer stops so your child can’t pull drawers out all the way, and never place a TV, toys, or remote controls on top of dressers that children will be tempted to climb.²⁴ Additionally, remove furniture with sharp corners from your toddler’s play area or install corner protectors.²³

Your toddler may love swimming and bathtime at this age, but you should never leave them unsupervised in the pool, bath, etc. — even for a moment. Even children who know how to swim can drown, so be sure to fence in all swimming pools and keep all bathroom doors closed.²³

Burns commonly happen in the kitchen. Be sure that pot handles aren’t hanging off the stove and that your toddler isn’t at your feet when you’re carrying something hot. Spills like pasta water, coffee, or tea can cause severe burns, so keep those items out of reach. You can prevent bath burns by setting your maximum water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, keep your child away from fireplaces and consider putting a barrier around them.²³

Sometimes, parenting can feel intuitive; other times, it can feel overwhelming, and you may end the day feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing! Here are a few tips for managing your 19-month-old’s behaviors and emotions and fostering this stage of development:

Many 19-month-olds are reaching a stage of wanting to do everything themselves. So, put systems in place that allow your toddler to help as much as possible in your home. For instance, get them a stool so they can wash their hands, have coat and shoe storage they can reach to put their own items away, and allow them to brush their teeth before or after you do it. You can also enlist their help in simple household chores (like putting napkins and silverware on the table) to give them a sense of helpfulness and independence.¹² These chores and activities will take longer, but allowing them some control over what they do can help with their emotional regulation and development.

Establish clear and consistent boundaries to help your child understand expectations, which can reduce 19-month-old tantrums. You can even try making a game out of certain routines and boundaries. For instance, ask your child, “What do we have to do before we make dinner?” and allow them to answer, “Clean!” Reinforce this habit by praising them for remembering the routine and helping them pick up their toys before dinner. But don’t be afraid of setting a boundary like “We can’t have a snack until our blocks are put away” and holding that boundary despite potential resistance.¹²

Negotiating with a toddler all day can get frustrating. Allow your child a choice between two options when possible, such as: “Your shoes need to be put away. Do you want to put your shoes away, or do you want me to do it?” Understand that emotional outbursts are common at this age. Offer comfort and reassurance during challenging moments, and rest assured that they’ll pass. If at all possible, allow yourself to take breaks from 1:1 time with your child through babysitters, daycare, or help from family and friends. It takes a village to raise a toddler!¹²

19-month-olds are at a dynamic stage of development where their personalities continue to emerge as their language and motor skills blossom. Understanding their 19-month milestones and having a framework for feeding, sleeping, health, and activities can help you foster their mental and physical growth. This fun age can be made less intimidating for parents if they know what to expect from their toddlers, who are changing every day.