Month 12
Key points
- Between 12 and 18 months, toddlers experience rapid changes in mobility, communication and independence.
- Their balanced diet should include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables to support digestive health and overall development.
- At 12 months, your toddler may only speak a few words, but they understand a lot more, including simple instructions. By 18 months, their vocabulary will have expanded to around 100 words.
Congratulations! You officially have a toddler! Between 12 and 18 months, your toddler is entering an exciting phase of exploration and learning. From first steps (or even running) to stringing words together and asserting their independence with a newfound confidence, the toddler era is here.
Developmental progress often occurs in bursts. It’s common for toddlers to focus on one area at a time. For instance, your child might be rapidly expanding their vocabulary while still mastering walking, or vice versa. Nutrition remains a focus not just for physical growth but also for fostering a healthy gut microbiome that supports digestion and immune function.
Read on to find out more about your toddler’s development, food serving sizes and the importance of prebiotics at this age.
What to Feed Your Toddler at 12 to 18 Months Old
Whether you are a crunchy parent committed to organic everything or more relaxed with the occasional sneaky biscuit, the Australian Dietary Guidelines have your toddler covered! They recommend a colourful mix of fresh foods from the five food groups: vegetables and legumes, fruit, cereals and grains, dairy (and alternatives), and meats. As long as you are allergy aware, your little one can enjoy a variety of tasty family meals, helping to fuel their growth and set up good habits for life.
Toddlers do best when they eat three main meals a day, plus two or three snacks – so you’ve got plenty of chances to offer a variety of fresh, nutritious foods. Think protein-rich options like lean meat, chicken and dairy, along with prebiotic-packed veggies and whole grains to support their growing digestive systems.
It’s totally normal to worry that your little one isn’t eating enough – especially when they’re too busy playing to sit still for a meal. But the Australian Dietary Guidelines can really help put things into perspective. You might be surprised by how small some of the recommended portions are. For instance, toddlers only need about half a serve of fruit each day. That’s it!
Veggies can be a bit more of a challenge (they need around 2–3 serves daily), but sneaking them into snacks is a great way to boost their intake without fuss. Every meal and snack is a chance to meet their nutritional needs and build healthy habits that’ll stick with them as they grow.
Suggested Daily Serves For Your Toddler
- ½ serve of fruit (1 serve equals 1 medium apple, banana, orange or pear, or 2 small plums or kiwi fruit)
- 2–3 serves of vegies (1 serve equals half a cup of cooked vegies, or half a potato, sweet potato or corn cob)
- 1–1½ serves of dairy (1 serve equals 1 cup or 250ml of their usual milk, or 2 slices of cheese, or three-quarters of a cup of yoghurt)
- 4 serves of grains (1 serve equals half a cup of rice, pasta or noodles, or a slice of bread, or half a cup of porridge)
- 1 serve of lean meat, eggs, nut or seed pastes (like peanut butter, almond butter or tahini), or legumes (1 serve equals 80 grams of cooked, lean chicken, or 65 grams of cooked, lean beef, or 2 large eggs, or 1 cup of cooked lentils)
If you’re still feeling unsure about whether your toddler is getting everything they need, a toddler milk drink like Alula Advance+ Toddler* can be a helpful way to support their nutritional intake. It’s especially handy if you’re worried they might be missing out on certain nutrients.
You can offer it as a warm drink before bed – great for winding down or even mix it into meals, like sauces or smoothies, for an extra boost. If you’re looking for ideas, there are plenty of tasty and nutritious recipes available, including in the free Alula Toddler Tummies Cookbook.
Did you know? 70% of our immune system is located in the gut. You can read more about the important role of microbiota in your child’s gut health here.
How to support little digestive systems with prebiotics
We all know that dietary fibre, especially prebiotics, is great for our health. But, let’s be honest: foods rich in prebiotics aren’t always toddler favourites. And when your little one is a selective eater, their gut health may need a little extra support.
Prebiotics are special fibres that feed the good bacteria in your child’s gut, helping their digestive system work smoothly and that’s great news for their immune system too. Since around 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, keeping it balanced and healthy is a big deal during those early years of development.
Offering prebiotic-rich foods regularly is a simple way to support your toddler’s tummy. Some kid-friendly options include sweetcorn, peas, bananas, nectarines, and whole grains like oats and barley. These help regulate bowel movements, improve nutrient absorption (like calcium and iron) and may even reduce the risk of allergies and eczema. Plus, a healthy digestive system may also help support mood, focus and behaviour.
If your toddler’s been sick, is going through a picky phase, or just isn’t eating a wide variety of foods, prebiotics can also be added through supplements. Look for ingredients like FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) and GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) on labels. Alula Advance+ Toddlermilk includes FOS, making it a helpful option to fill in nutritional gaps and support their growing gut.
What About Milk For 12 to 18-Month-Olds?
By the time your toddler hits the one-year mark, they’ve probably moved on from bottles to a sippy cup or a cup with a straw – and still be enjoying their usual milk. Whole cow’s milk (low-fat and skim milks are not recommended for children under 2) can be introduced from 12 months as a nutritious drink and a source of dairy.
Milk provides essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and protein but, by now, solid foods should be your toddler’s main source of nourishment. Water should also become their go-to drink – it helps keep them hydrated, supports digestion, and builds healthy habits for the future. Toddlers typically need around four cups (about 1 litre) of fluids a day, which includes both water and milk.
If your little one is a fussy eater or has a limited diet, a toddler milk drink like Alula Advance+ Toddler can help fill nutritional gaps. These specially formulated drinks often include added nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and zinc, which are important for growth and development, plus added omega-3 fatty acids. They’re a helpful option when solid food intake isn’t quite hitting the mark.
Weight and Height of Your Toddler at 12 to 18 Months
Nutrition is just one part of the picture. Alongside healthy eating, it’s natural to wonder if your child is growing as expected. Between 12 and 18 months, there is a wide range of heights and weights. At 12 months, according to WHO, boys weigh an average of 9.6 kg and stand 76 cm tall. Twelve-month-old girls weigh an average of 8.9 kg and are 74 cm tall. By 18 months, boys weigh about 11 kg and are 82 cm tall, while girls are 10.2 kg and 80 cm tall. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can reassure you that your toddler is growing appropriately.
Cognitive and Social Development of Toddlers
In parallel with their communication skills, your toddler’s understanding of the world around them is also blossoming. They begin to understand and follow simple instructions like ‘Bring me your teddy’ or ‘Let’s go outside’, and may respond to familiar words and routines. Their vocabulary will expand from a few words at 12 months to possibly up to 100 by 18 months, including names of objects and people. Imitating sounds, babbling with varied intonation and expressing needs through gestures like pointing are common, too.
As well as copying how you speak, they may also mimic your actions: they might pretend to talk on the phone or copy you doing basic chores. Engaging in activities like reading, singing and interactive play, such as pushing toy cars or rolling a ball, also supports their cognitive and social development.
Spending time with other toddlers at mothers’ group, a playgroup or at the park, is a fun way for them to socialise and work on getting along with others.
Motor Development at 12 to 18 Months
As their speech increases, your child is also communicating by bouncing, laughing, kicking, throwing, tugging, pushing away and pointing. Providing plenty of opportunities for your toddler to walk with your support, in a safe environment, can help them develop the balance, muscles, coordination and confidence they need to get up and go.
It’s not all about walking and gross motor development, though. Fine motor skills are very important too, and you’ll notice that your toddler’s pincer (thumb and forefinger) grip is improving. They might use their fingers to eat and concentrate on trying to pick up tiny objects or even flecks of fluff.
Have fun with your toddler as they grow through these exciting stages by trying out age-appropriate movement or creative groups. Look for kindy gyms, music and movement sessions, or swimming lessons. Your local library or Facebook page are great places to find new activities in your area.
Disclaimer: *Premium milk drink for toddlers 1 year +. Supplementary toddler milk drink as part of a healthy varied diet. When dietary intake may be inadequate.
Don’t Forget!
It’s important to remember that every child develops at their own rate. Regular checkups with your health nurse or GP will be able to ensure your toddler is on track – but always get in touch with them sooner if you have any concerns. For extra resources, you can also head to Karitane or Tresillian online.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, from 18 to 24 months, your toddler will continue to refine their physical and social skills as their world expands! Learn about the role of sugar in their diet and what to expect in their development at this stage.
