19-month-old baby milestones: Development, growth, speech, language, and more

Nikki Stevenson

Nikki is a parenting writer and a mom to three wild boys who keep her on her toes (and occasionally make her question her sanity). With over 15 years of experience in the parenting industry, she has more tips and tricks than Mary Poppins on speed dial. When she's not typing away at her keyboard, you can find her sipping on coffee, hiding in the bathroom for five minutes of...

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Medically reviewed by Faith Hobson

Updated on Sep 17, 2024 · 13 mins read

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19-month-old baby milestones: Development, growth, speech, language, and more

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Raising a 19-month-old toddler is like being on an unpredictable adventure.

At 19 months, your child is hitting some exciting milestones that can both thrill and challenge you. Understanding the science behind their development can provide some much-needed reassurance and guidance. Let’s explore what’s happening with your 19-month-old.

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Your 19-month-old baby's development

At 19 months, your toddler is in a rapid phase of development, both physically and cognitively. This period is crucial as their brains develop quickly, laying the groundwork for future learning and behaviour. Here’s what you can expect:

Brain growth and cognitive development: The brain of a 19-month-old is incredibly active. Synaptic pruning happens when unused neural connections are eliminated, making the remaining ones stronger and more efficient. This process is essential for learning and memory.

Problem-solving skills: Your 19-month-old child is learning to solve problems and think critically. Activities like stacking blocks or fitting shapes into sorters are not just play; they build cognitive pathways that aid later complex thinking.

Exploration and curiosity: Toddlers at this age are naturally curious. They explore their environment and test boundaries, which is crucial for cognitive development. This curiosity is driven by the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision-making and social behaviour.

Physical activity: Your 19-month-old is becoming more physically active. Running, climbing, and playing are essential for developing motor skills and muscle strength. These activities are also linked to brain development, as physical movement helps form neural connections.

Understanding these developments can help you provide the right support and environment for your 19-month-old child.

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19-month-old physical milestones

At 19 months, your toddler is becoming more coordinated and adventurous. Here’s what to expect and the science behind these milestones:

Walking and mobility: Your 19-month-old child is likely to master walking and may begin walking backwards, sideways, and navigating stairs with assistance. This is due to the maturation of the motor cortex, which is responsible for voluntary movements.

Gross motor skills: Skills like climbing, running, and jumping are emerging. The cerebellum coordinates muscle movements and is significantly involved in these activities. Encouraging this helps strengthen these brain regions.

Fine motor skills: Your 19-month-old toddler’s dexterity is improving, allowing them to manipulate small objects more precisely. This development is linked to the increased activity in the parietal lobe, which integrates sensory information. Activities like scribbling with crayons or playing with small toys can enhance these skills.

Coordination and balance: As their balance improves, your toddler can engage in more complex movements like kicking a ball or using ride-on toys. These activities help develop the vestibular system, which is crucial for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.

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Communication and language

Your 19-month-old’s communication skills are blossoming, reflecting significant growth in understanding and expressing language. Here’s what to expect and the underlying mechanisms at play.

Speech and communication: By this age, your toddler’s communication skills are improving rapidly. They might be using simple sentences and have a growing vocabulary, typically including about 10-25 words. The parts of the brain responsible for speech production and comprehension are developing rapidly, enabling your child to start stringing words together and understanding more complex instructions.

Receptive language: Your 19-month-old child’s ability to understand spoken language is expanding. They can follow simple instructions like “bring the ball” or “sit down.” This improvement is because the brain areas that process what they hear are becoming more efficient.

Expressive language: Expressive language, or the ability to express thoughts and needs, is becoming more refined. Your 19-month-old toddler might start combining words to form simple phrases like “more water” or “mummy up.” Encouraging this by repeating and expanding on their attempts helps reinforce their speech skills.

Gestures and nonverbal communication: Alongside verbal skills, your 19-month-old toddler uses gestures such as pointing, nodding, and waving to communicate. These gestures are crucial for bridging the gap between understanding and speaking and help them express themselves when words are still limited.

Practical tips

Engage in regular conversations with your 19-month-old toddler. Describe your actions, ask questions, and encourage them to respond.
Read together daily. Choose books with simple words and bright pictures. Ask your toddler to point out and name objects.
Sing songs and nursery rhymes to build vocabulary and rhythm.

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Emotional and social development

At 19 months, your toddler is becoming more aware of their own emotions and those of others. This period is marked by significant growth in emotional intelligence and social skills. Here’s what to expect:

Emotional awareness: Your 19-month-old toddler is learning to identify and express a range of emotions, from joy and excitement to frustration and anger. This is a crucial time for developing emotional regulation skills. They might throw tantrums when they can’t express their feelings adequately, which is normal.

Developing empathy: Children start to show signs of empathy around this age. They may try to comfort a crying sibling or offer a toy to a playmate. This empathy is a building block for future social interactions and relationships.

Social interactions: Your 19-month-old is learning to share and take turns, although this might not always go smoothly. They are beginning to understand social norms and expectations. Playdates and group activities can help them practise these skills.

Independence and assertion: Toddlers at this age often assert their independence by saying “no” or insisting on doing things themselves. This is a healthy part of development as they learn to navigate their autonomy while still needing parental guidance and support.

Attachment and security: Secure attachment to caregivers remains crucial. Toddlers need reassurance and consistency to feel safe while exploring their expanding world. Positive reinforcement and predictable routines can help provide this security.

Practical tips

Validate their emotions by acknowledging what they feel. Say things like, “I see you’re upset because you can’t have the toy.”
Encourage sharing and empathy by modelling these behaviours yourself. Praise them when they show kindness or patience.
Create opportunities for social interaction with other children to help develop their social skills.
Maintain consistent routines to provide a sense of security.

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Health and hygiene

Maintaining good health and hygiene habits is essential for your 19-month-old’s overall well-being. Here are key areas to focus on:

Toilet training interest: At 19 months, some toddlers may start showing interest in potty training. Signs include staying dry longer, showing curiosity about bathroom habits, or expressing discomfort with dirty nappies. Introducing the potty in a relaxed, pressure-free way can help set the stage for future success.

Hand washing: Teaching your 19-month-old toddler to wash their hands regularly is crucial for preventing the spread of germs. Make handwashing fun by using colourful soap and singing a short song while scrubbing.

Dental care: It is important to brush teeth twice a day with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. At this age, 19-month-old toddlers need help brushing to ensure all surfaces are cleaned.

Bath time: Regular baths are essential for hygiene. Use mild, toddler-friendly soap and shampoo. Bath time can also be a calming part of the bedtime routine, helping your 19-month-old child wind down before they fall asleep.

Skincare: Toddler skin can be sensitive. If your 19-month-old child has dry skin, use moisturisers, and ensure that all skin products are gentle and fragrance-free.

Practical tips

Introduce the potty: Place a potty in the bathroom and encourage your child to sit on it, even if fully clothed, to get used to it.
Make handwashing fun: Sing songs or use a timer to ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds.
Brush together: Brush your teeth alongside your 19-month-old toddler to model good dental hygiene habits.
Regular baths: Make bath time enjoyable with toys and bubbles. Always supervise your child during baths.
Skincare routine: Apply lotion after baths to keep skin hydrated, especially in dry weather.

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19-month-old baby weight and length

As your baby reaches the 19-month mark, you may be curious about their growth in terms of weight and length. According to the World Health Organization, here’s what you can expect from the baby milestones.

Average weight

Girls: Approximately 10.4 kilograms
Boys: Approximately 11.1 kilograms

Average length

Girls: About 81.7 cms
Boys: About 83.2 cms

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19-month-old feeding milestones

At 19 months, your toddler’s feeding habits continue to evolve as they gain more independence and develop their preferences. Here’s what you can expect and how to support their nutritional needs:

Balanced meals: Your 19-month-old should eat three balanced meals and two healthy snacks each day. Their portion sizes are still smaller than those of adults, about one-quarter of an adult’s portion.

Self-feeding: Many toddlers at this age are keen on feeding themselves. Encourage self-feeding with child-friendly utensils and bite-sized pieces of food. This not only fosters independence but also improves their fine motor skills.

Variety of foods: Continue to offer a wide variety of nutritious foods to ensure a balanced diet. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy. Introduce new foods alongside familiar ones to expand their palate.

Managing mealtime challenges: It’s common for toddlers to be picky eaters or to have fluctuating appetites. Stay patient and consistent. Offer a variety of foods without pressuring them to eat everything. Creating a positive mealtime environment can help.

Healthy snacks: Between meals, healthy snacks such as small cheese cubes, halved grapes (to prevent choking), steamed vegetable sticks, and yoghurt can provide essential nutrients.

Milk intake: Aim to give your child about 500 ml of whole milk daily or ensure they get enough calcium from other sources like cheese and yoghurt.

Hydration: Encourage your toddler to drink water throughout the day. Limit sugary drinks and juices to avoid tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain.

Example eating schedule

Breakfast: Small bowl of porridge with sliced bananas and a cup of whole milk
Morning snack: Apple slices and cheese cubes
Lunch: Grilled chicken pieces, steamed broccoli, and whole-grain pasta
Afternoon snack: Yoghurt and halved grapes
Dinner: Baked salmon, quinoa, and mixed vegetables
Before bed: A small cup of milk

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19-month-old sleep milestones

Sleep is crucial for your 19-month-old’s growth and development. At this age, toddlers typically need about 11 to 14 hours of sleep within a 24-hour period. Here’s what to expect and how to support a healthy sleep schedule.

Nighttime sleep: Most 19-month-olds require about 10 to 12 hours of nighttime sleep. A consistent bedtime routine is essential to help them wind down and prepare for sleep. Establishing a regular bedtime, typically between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, can aid in this process.

Daytime naps: At 19 months, many toddlers take one nap daily, usually lasting 1.5 to 3 hours. Some may still take two shorter naps, but transitioning to one longer nap often occurs around this age. Pay attention to your child’s cues to determine their optimal nap schedule.

Sleep routine: A predictable sleep routine can make bedtime smoother. This routine might include a warm bath, reading a story, and some cuddles before bedtime. Consistency is key to reinforcing a calming bedtime routine.

Self-soothing: Encouraging your child to fall asleep independently is important for developing self-soothing skills. Provide a comforting object, such as a favourite blanket or stuffed animal, to help them feel secure.

Sleep environment: Keep the room dark, quiet, and cool to create a sleep-conducive environment. Consider using blackout curtains and a white noise machine if necessary.

Managing sleep challenges: Common sleep challenges at this age include resistance to bedtime and a sleep schedule, night waking, and early rising. Address these issues by maintaining a consistent routine, ensuring your child gets enough physical activity during the day, and minimising stimulating activities close to bedtime.

Quiet time: Incorporate quiet time before bed to help your child transition from active play to sleep. This can include reading books, listening to soft music, or engaging in gentle play.

Practical tips

Consistent sleep schedule: Stick to the same bedtime and wake-up time each day, even on weekends, to make the sleep schedule stick.
Calming activities: Engage in calming activities before bed to signal that it’s time to sleep.
Comfort object: Provide a favourite toy or blanket to help your child feel secure.
Avoid stimulants: Limit exposure to screens and stimulating activities an hour before bedtime as part of your sleep schedule.

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Additional behaviours at 19 months

Problem-solving skills: Part of your toddler’s development includes them learning to solve simple problems on their own. This could include figuring out how to open a container, use a simple toy, or navigate obstacles. Encouraging these problem-solving skills with age-appropriate toys and challenges can help their cognitive development.

Communication gestures: In addition to spoken words, toddlers at this age often use gestures to communicate their needs and wants. They might point, nod, shake their heads, or wave. Recognising and responding to these gestures can support your toddler’s language and communication skills and development.

Play patterns: Your 19-month-old might prefer certain types of play, such as pretend play, building, or physical activities. Observing these preferences can help you provide the right toys, like a baby doll, and activities to nurture their interests.

Routine awareness: Most toddlers become more aware of daily routines and may start to anticipate what comes next. This can be a good time to establish or reinforce routines for meals, naps, and bedtime, as predictability helps them feel secure.

Exploration of boundaries: Your child may begin testing boundaries more frequently. This can include behaviours like refusing instructions or trying to do things they know are off-limits. It’s important to set clear, consistent boundaries and explain the reasons behind them in simple terms.

Memory skills: At this age, toddlers’ memory skills are improving. They might remember where they left a toy or recall familiar people and events from earlier in the day. Engaging in memory games and talking about past events can help strengthen these skills.

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Development tips for your baby this month

Supporting your 19-month-old’s development involves encouraging exploration, providing structure, and fostering independence. Here are some tips to help your toddler thrive this month:

Encourage language development: Engage in conversations, read books with colourful pictures, and sing nursery rhymes.
Foster independence: Encourage self-feeding with a spoon and cup, and allow your toddler to help with dressing.
Promote physical activity: Provide opportunities for active play indoors and outdoors and set up simple obstacle courses.
Support emotional growth: Acknowledge your child’s emotions and teach coping skills like deep breathing.
Encourage social interaction: Arrange playdates and participate in group activities like story time or toddler music classes.
Routine consistency: Make sure your child’s schedule is consistent for meals, naps, and bedtime.
Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviours.
Safety first: Ensure your home is safe for exploration by childproofing areas where your toddler plays.