14 Months
Here's what's happening at this age - milestones, common concerns, nutrition, sleep, and vaccines.
Developmental Milestones
Based on the 12 Months checkpoint - the closest milestone age to 14 months
Gross Motor
- Pulling to Stand - Your baby grabs onto furniture and pulls themselves up from sitting to standing.
- Cruising Along Furniture - Your baby walks sideways while holding onto furniture for support.
- First Steps (Emerging) - Your baby may take a few wobbly steps on their own, or they may not be there yet - both are normal at 12 months.
Fine Motor
- Refined Pincer Grasp - Your baby neatly picks up small items like cereal or peas between their thumb and pointer finger.
- Putting Things In and Out of Containers - Your baby drops objects into a cup, bowl, or box and then dumps them out again.
- Pointing with Index Finger - Your baby extends their pointer finger to touch things, poke at small objects, or point at things they want or find interesting.
Language
- First Words - Your baby says one or two real words like "mama," "dada," or "uh-oh," and uses them to mean something specific.
- Using Gestures to Communicate - Your baby waves bye-bye, shakes their head for "no," reaches up to be picked up, or points at things they want.
- Understands Simple Requests - Your baby understands simple phrases like "give me the ball" or "where is your cup?" especially with gestures.
Social & Emotional
- Waving Bye-Bye - Your baby waves when someone says "bye-bye" or when they see someone leaving.
- Showing or Giving You Things - Your baby holds up a toy or object to show it to you, or hands you things.
- Separation Anxiety - Your baby may cry or become upset when you leave the room or when they are left with a less familiar caregiver.
Cognitive
- Simple Problem-Solving - Your baby figures out simple problems, like pulling a blanket to get a toy that is on top of it, or moving an obstacle out of the way.
- Exploring Objects in Different Ways - Your baby tries different things with objects - shaking, banging, throwing, dropping, and poking at them.
- Imitating Simple Actions - Your baby copies things they see you do, like clapping, stirring with a spoon, or talking on a phone.
Red Flags to Watch For
- !Does not crawl, scoot, or move around in any way
- !Cannot stand even when supported or held
- !Does not say any words like "mama" or "dada" (even unclearly)
Common Concerns at This Age
Things parents often wonder about around 14 months
My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen
A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and t...
Accent vs Speech Disorder in Bilingual Toddlers
When toddlers grow up hearing more than one language, they naturally blend sounds, patterns, and accents from both langu...
My Toddler Is Aggressive Toward Pets
Toddlers being rough with pets is extremely common and almost never reflects true aggression or cruelty. Young children ...
When to Introduce Allergens to Baby
Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens (peanut, egg, cow's milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish...
I'm Worried About Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is the most common cause of vision loss in children, affecting about 2-3% of kids. It occurs when o...
My Baby Has an Anal Fissure (Blood When Pooping)
A small streak of bright red blood on the surface of your baby's stool or on the diaper is most commonly caused by an an...
Anaphylaxis Signs in Baby
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects multiple body systems. In babies, i...
My Baby Has Unequal Pupils
Slight differences in pupil size (anisocoria) can be normal and affect up to 20% of people, including babies. However, i...
Food Readiness
Foods appropriate for 14 months
Banana
Sliced or whole
Avocado
Sliced, cubed, or as guacamole
Sweet Potato
Cubed, mashed, or as fries
Apple
Thin raw slices or cooked
Peas
Whole cooked peas
Oatmeal
Regular oatmeal
Chicken
Small pieces or strips
Salmon
Flaked or as salmon cakes
Allergen: fishYogurt
Any preparation
Allergen: milkEgg
Any well-cooked preparation
Allergen: eggBroccoli
Steamed, roasted, or raw (if tender)
Rice
Any preparation
Peanut Butter
Thin layer on bread or mixed into food
Allergen: peanutTofu
Any preparation
Allergen: soyStrawberry
Halved or whole (for larger berries)
Carrot
Cooked pieces, grated raw
Sleep Needs
12-18 months
12-14 hours
Total sleep per day
10-12 hours
Nighttime sleep
1-2 naps (most transition to 1 nap around 14-18 months)
Naps
Tips for this age
- The 2-to-1 nap transition can be rocky - it takes 2-4 weeks
- If your toddler resists one nap, try a shorter morning nap
- A consistent sleep schedule becomes more important than ever
- Loveys/comfort objects are now safe and can help with sleep
Vaccines
Vaccines due around 14 months
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Protects against three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
Every baby develops at their own pace. The ranges here are based on typical development from the CDC, AAP, and WHO. If something feels off or you have questions, trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician. You know your baby best.