13-Month-Old Toddler: Your Little Tyke With Big Preferences
Tips for parenting your 13-month-old toddler plus ideas for cleaning out infant gear.
By
Your little tyke with big preferences
By now, your little one probably has particular ideas about what they'd like to eat (or throw off the high chair), when and where they'd like to sit (aka anywhere but the car seat) and how they'd like to play (fun fact: throwing things off the high chair counts as play). And if their strong opinions and preferences aren't always aligned with what you need or want them to do, you are not alone.
Dr. Becky, the clinical psychologist and parent whisperer behind Good Inside, says that it's normal and even healthy for toddlers this age to test limits and challenge boundaries. In the "Yes, One-Year-Olds Have Tantrums" episode of her podcast, she shares practical ideas and strategies for helping them learn during these challenging moments (ahem, tantrums) while keeping your calm.
Parenting toolkit: more helpful tips
🗣️ How to thwart a toddler tantrum
📦 Toddlers' favorite household items: safe or not?
⛔ 10 ways to say "no" without saying it
Did you know?
Reading to your toddler is one of the best ways to stimulate brain development & build language skills, according to experts. Toys can also help. Learn more in our guide to developmental milestones from 12 to 18 months→
Snacks toddlers love
Active toddlers need snacks between meals to keep them energized. Here’s a list of easy, healthy toddler favorites (including how to prepare fresh options and which pre-packaged brands we love most).
This month: get rid of old baby stuff
🧦 Looking to recycle used clothing? Brand-specific programs like Carter’s Baby and Kid Clothing Free Recycling Program let you do just this.
📚 Cleaning out the bookshelf? Many national organizations like The Salvation Army, Goodwill and even Zappos will accept gently used books.
🧸
Clearing out stuffed animals? Many organizations won’t accept donations because of germs. A good solution: your local pet shelter!
Editors' picks:
Toddler Blankets
We’ve rounded up our favorites for the stroller, the crib and toddler beds. And for early walkers who aren’t quite ready to transition out of a sleep sack, we’re sharing our favorite wearable blankets, too.
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/084c2e2d2fe1bd906ea34ffa66348dca3d0d709d9d46af5f0c186fd9fe2c3dbf/4234683d54ad0d099191edb4664c962e/084c2e2d2fe1bd906ea34ffa66348dca3d0d709d9d46af5f0c186fd9fe2c3dbf.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":"","product_id":1153542,"title":"Safavieh Tater Trot Rocking Horse Throw Blanket - Grey, 32 In. X 40 In.","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/safavieh-tater-trot-rocking-horse-throw-blanket/25107/1153542","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/378f6ab591751373c24e481885d031659f8b5d7c63aa06b113e29364302bc73b/e2fbcd5516aa3214f003a4a2d07ffbe1/378f6ab591751373c24e481885d031659f8b5d7c63aa06b113e29364302bc73b.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":76,"product_id":30831,"title":"Pehr Stork Blanket - Stork Pink","url":"https://shoppehr.com/products/stork-blanket?variant=29821985521752","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/3406d22e22dfbdfda3c7639d56866e0972ac4d612ef9e38fb9feaef0485cb54b/cb6a80dee06769a8aebda5a737217d6e/3406d22e22dfbdfda3c7639d56866e0972ac4d612ef9e38fb9feaef0485cb54b.png?fl=progressive&fm=jpg&bg=rgb:f9f9f9&w=620&h=620","price":26.95,"product_id":310284,"title":"Burt's Bees Baby Reversible Organic Cotton Jersey Knit Blanket - Pine Forest","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/burt-s-bees-baby-reversible-organic-cotton-jersey-knit-blanket/16145/310284","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}