[JBaby]

Hi there

I don't quite belong in this section yet, just wanted to see what I have to look forward to. DD is just going 22months and we are expecting #2 five months from now so she will be 2y3m.

I'm wondering what kind of physical, verbal or emotional development is likely to happen in the next five months?

DD is currently:
- putting words together in 3-5 word sentences and repeating things we say
- we can understand her words most of the time but not sure others would
- communicating basic needs but gets frustrated when we cant understand
- only plays independently for 5-10 minutes at a time, still wants a lot of interaction
- will have mini tantrums over things like getting off the car rides at the shops
- runs but is still slow and easy to catch lol
- feeds herself but makes a mess of most meals
- likes to sit on potty/toilet but no concept of actually weeing or pooing on it

I guess I'm hoping there will be a big leap in verbal communication and independent play in the next 5 months but not sure if thats likely or wishful thinking lol

So, how was your under 2yo toddler different from your over 2yo toddler? What did they learn/master in that time?

This post has been edited by JBaby: 14/02/2013, 04:09 PM

[Rach_V]

DD is 2yrs 3 months now, DS was born in November 2 weeks before she turned 2.

In the last 2 months her speech has come along in leaps and bounds! All of a sudden she is stringing sentences together, speaking more clearly, etc.

Her imaginative play is fantastic! She plays for ages, especially with her dollhouse (very funny to watch and listen to - "Oh no! Baby stuck, mumma help baby", or when "dad" doll is on on the roof - "Be care dad, Be care!!"). She will play on her own outside (supervised obviously) for hours if I let her!


She feeds herself very well, only making a mess when she INTENDS to.

She throws massive tantrums over tiny, insignificant things

AND when she's not trying to kick, hit or pinch her little brother she LOOOOOVES him.

We've just started potty training this week and she is doing extremely well, with only a couple of accidents (none yet today, touch wood!). Without fail she will poo or wee on the potty while I'm trying to feed DS, so that's always fun trying to make her wait for me to help her tip and flush down the big toilet!

Juggling the 2 of them is a handful, I'm just now starting to feel like I'm doing a good job of it! Life is certainly hectic! Great, but hectic!!

[JBaby]

She plays for ages, especially with her dollhouse (very funny to watch and listen to - "Oh no! Baby stuck, mumma help baby", or when "dad" doll is on on the roof - "Be care dad, Be care!!").

Lol, that is so cute!

[Pup-pup]

I personally think over 2 is a significant change! My DD2 was born when my DD1 was 18months.

- way more talking, which will just improve.
- more independent play for sure. My DD became more interested in colouring in.
- able to walk holding hands for short distances. So I would imagine you'd be able to carry your baby and get your toddler to cooperate for short periods. Or walk holding onto the pram.
- we were still getting tantrums at that age. She probably was starting to understand the concept of timeout.
- my DD could occupy herself for up to half hour at a time.
- I found it easier to include my DD in cooking and things like that.
- my DD was toilet trained, but I would say she was on the early side at 23mths.
- eating was still very messy. I kept my DD in a high chair.
- we moved my DD to a bed, she automatically became a 'big girl!'

I think there will be a big jump in verbal and independence, but you might get more tantrums. And those naughty little behaviours like hitting or pushing sometimes pop up around that age!

[trishalishous]

mine have the same age gap, and when DS arrived, DD went quite a bit backwards, back into nappies, and was boobing a gazillion times a day.
Now hes nearly 6 months old and shes come back to where she was, but still gets very jealous at times.

[CherryAmes]

My daughter is 2 years 1 month, with a 4mth old brother whom she just loves (and he loves her too).

- great pretend play, can occupy herself for ages with dolls house/ duplo/ fuzzy felt type activities.

- big tantrums, but now understands the if/then concept (eg if you do that, then you'll go to your room) so I can discipline while breastfeeding

- toilet-trained; has made life heaps easier. I recommend it if you have the energy while pregnant. I used the o crap potty training ebook.

- feeds herself well, nowhere near as messy as before 2.

- talks clearly in long sentences (I want to go to Kindygym today!)

- more shy around adults than before 2 and more scared of random things than before 2.

It is hard work but the joy they get from being with each other is lovely.

[Shirley Sue]

There are plenty of developmental milestone check lists available online. You could also borrow books from your local library.