Toddler guide

17 guides · Toddler

The toddler years are big feelings in a small body. Here are honest, gentle guides to tantrums, sleep, speech, potty training and the milestones in between, so you know what is normal and when a wobble is just a wobble.

Guides in this section

• Baby biting. Babies bite while breastfeeding, teething or during play, not out of malice.
• Baby language development: from coos to first words. How your baby's communication grows from birth to twelve months: the sounds they make, how you can help, and when to talk to yo...
• Fussy eating in toddlers. Why toddlers become picky eaters and what actually helps.
• Language development at 18 to 24 months. How many words should your toddler have at 18 or 24 months?
• Moving from cot to toddler bed: when, how and what to expect. There is no rush to move your toddler from a cot.
• Potty training readiness. Find out when most toddlers are ready to potty train, the physical and emotional signs to look for, different approaches, and a...
• Signs of autism in toddlers. Wondering about signs of autism in your toddler?
• Speech delay in toddlers. If your toddler isn't talking as expected, here is what speech delay means, the milestones to know, red flags to watch for and...
• The 18-month developmental check. Your guide to the 18-month health visitor check.
• The 2-year developmental review: what to expect and how to prepare. Your guide to the NHS 2-year developmental review.
• Toddler hitting, biting and aggression: why it happens and how to respond. Hitting and biting peak between 18 months and 2.5 years and are very common.
• Toddler night waking. Why toddlers wake at night, what sleep associations are, how night terrors differ from nightmares, and what actually helps your...
• Toddler tantrums. Why toddlers have tantrums, how to respond in the moment, and the signs worth a GP check.
• Toddler-proofing your home. Baby-proofing and toddler-proofing are different.
• What to feed toddlers from 12 months. A practical guide to feeding toddlers from 12 months: portion sizes, foods to encourage, drinks to offer and how to handle fuss...
• Your toddler at 12 to 18 months: development, milestones and what to expect. From first steps to first words, the 12 to 18 month stage is a big one.
• Your toddler at 18 to 24 months: development, milestones and what to expect. A warm guide to toddler development at 18 to 24 months: language, movement, play, sleep and the 18-month check.

Common questions

When do tantrums start and when do they stop?

Tantrums usually begin around 12 to 18 months, peak in the second and third years, and ease as language and self-control grow, often by around age four. They are a normal part of development, not a sign you are doing anything wrong.

How much sleep does a toddler need?

Most toddlers need about 11 to 14 hours in 24 hours, including one nap that gradually drops between two and four years. Sleep needs vary, so watch your own child's mood and energy rather than the clock alone.

When should I worry about my toddler's speech?

Talk to your health visitor or GP if your toddler has very few words by two years, is not putting two words together by around two and a half, or seems to lose skills they had. Early support helps, and asking is never an overreaction.

When is my toddler ready for potty training?

Readiness matters more than age. Signs include staying dry for longer stretches, showing interest in the toilet, and being able to follow simple instructions, often somewhere between two and three years.