What are your 12 month olds doing?

[Oohooh]

Just curious really, I have a little boy and don’t know anyone else with same age children so I don’t know what ‘real’ babies are doing (versus the online milestone babies who seem to be making their own toast and speaking 2 languages!). Thanks

Mine was pulling himself up and cruising around on furniture. Starting to attempt to use a spoon when eating. Seeming to understand a few more words / commands but certainly not speaking at all yet. Pointing at what he wants. Hope that's helpful!

All babies are so so different at 12 months. And there is such variation in what is "normal"
My first DD-

• Bottom shuffling but not walking or crawling. Very reluctant to move as she was much more interested in songs, books, talking and fine motor skills. She was talking quite a few words and singing a couple of songs (only understood by me) and doing all the actions by 12 months.

But my second 2 (twins)

• Walking and climbing everywhere and just wanted to be moving. Only saying Mamma, dadda really. But understood key routines. Starting to point at things. Refused point blank to join in songs etc. Feeding themselves with finger feeding only.

If you Google ages and stages you can find a document which health visitors use to mark where a child is in all their areas of development. It shows you where they should be.

At 12 months my DD just learned to pull herself up, got her first tooth and only just started babbling. But could point, clap, wave, mimic nursery rhymes.

Mine was sitting happily but not mobile (bum shuffled a month later). Pointing, waving and babbling but not many words other than mama and dada. Able to eat a bowl of yoghurt with a spoon by herself and trying to use a fork.

Sounds like DS is pretty middle of the road then. He can cruise and stand for a few seconds unaided. Babbles a lot mainly dadada and has one word which is ‘bird’ pronounce ‘dur’. He seems to understand quite a lot of what I say, about 20 objects (if I ask where dolly/clock/ball is he will either fetch it or point to it). Will clap his hands if asked, and will give me what he’s holding if I say ta. Waves to himself in the mirror and to us but not strangers!

Crusing confidently and taking a few steps here and there. Babbling but seemed to understand quite a bit and communicated by pointing (in her mouth for a drink for example). Could identify some body major parts (head/hands/feet) but not things like fingers or toes.

Huge variation.

Cruising, then after first birthday started to walk. Few words like "mama" "dada" "glass" (glasses) "cat" "uh oh" "car" "nee-naw" etc. Knew how to respond to "clap your hands" "touch your head" "where's your nose" or "get the ball" etc.

Do you go to any playgroups? I found them invaluable for getting out and meeting other parents. Will give you an immediate sense in the wide variation in kids.

Your son sounds bang on track though. It's a fun age. So much is going on with them between 1 and 2.

At 12 months mine was walking around and desperately into lift the flap books. No real words. Still no real words at 15 months.

In our NCT group she's still the only one walking now, some are only bum shuffling. It's a broad church