Months 13–15: Many toddlers are busy new walkers and climbers – they point and babble for what they want, drag you to interesting cupboards, copy your daily routines, and then rush back for cuddles whenever the world feels a bit too big.

• By months 13 to 15 many toddlers usually have three small meals a day made from family foods, such as soft chopped versions of what everyone else is eating, with milk still playing an important role alongside water from an open cup or free-flow beaker.
• Toddlers at this age often want to feed themselves, so parents are often encouraged to offer pieces they can pick up, let them hold a spoon, expect plenty of mess, and stay close while they chew and experiment with different textures.
• Offering a variety of foods from the main food groups across the week, without adding salt or sugar, and including iron-rich options regularly is commonly recommended, and parents can speak to a health professional if they are worried about growth, very limited eating, or possible reactions to foods.

• At 13 to 15 months many toddlers still need plenty of sleep spread over 24 hours, often with a longer night sleep and one or two daytime naps, but there is a wide range and it is common for sleep patterns to shift when new skills or teeth appear.
• Parents are often advised to keep using a clear, flat sleep space with a safe mattress and bedding, placing toddlers on their back and keeping pillows, duvets, soft toys, and loose bedding away from their face, in a smoke-free room.
• A simple, repeated wind-down – such as a quiet snack, pyjamas, tooth brushing, a short story or song, and dim lights – can help toddlers link these steps with sleep, even if the exact nap lengths and bedtimes change from day to day.

• With a full toddler-style diet, many children at this age pass thicker, smellier, more formed poos, and colour or texture can change from day to day depending on what they have eaten.
• Some toddlers poo several times a day, while others go less often but in bigger amounts, so parents are often encouraged to focus on their child’s usual pattern, comfort, and the number of wet nappies rather than aiming for a specific number.
• A few toddlers may start to notice when they are weeing or pooing and show interest in the potty or toilet, but there is no need to rush training; parents can simply name what is happening and offer gentle praise when toddlers tell them.

• Between 13 and 15 months many toddlers are practising big body skills, such as walking more steadily, climbing over low obstacles, squatting to pick up toys, and pulling toys on strings, which helps build balance and strength.
• Language and understanding are growing quickly: lots of toddlers can point to favourite people or objects, try out a few clear words, copy sounds and actions like clapping or waving, and enjoy it when adults name what they are looking at or doing.
• Short, frequent play moments through the day often work well, such as looking at simple picture books together, stacking blocks then knocking them down, scribbling with chunky crayons, singing action songs, and giving a few minutes of floor or outdoor play whenever you can.

Sources

• NHS – Toddler: development, health and family life (1 to 2 years)
• NHS – 1 year and beyond: Feeding your baby
• NHS – What to feed young children
• HealthyChildren.org (AAP) – Milestones During the First 2 Years
• Kent Community Health NHS – Your younger toddler’s development (1 to 2 years)

This content is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, contact your midwife, health visitor, paediatrician, or local emergency service.