The candles have been blown out, the cake has been devoured, the photos have been snapped - and you can look back with pride and delight at your baby's first birthday.
It's been a crazy 12 months, full of sleepless nights and gushing smiles. You and your baby have been on one hell of a journey together already, with so many milestones along the way: first smile, first laugh, first tooth, first step.
As you paste the photos of your baby's first year into the album, it's time to look to the next phase - the toddler stage - and all of the excitement and milestones yet to come. Here is a taste of what you can expect.
They start to walk on their own
You're probably still gushing every time your little one takes a step by themselves, so the smile will likely be permanently attached to your face when they start to walk on their own, unaided. Your tot will usually start to walk by themselves at around the 14- to 15-month mark, although it could take longer for other babies. They are starting to get very curious about the world around them, and you'll need to keep an extra eye on them as the adventure begins!
Their language skills are getting better
Typically, by around the 15-month mark (of course, this will differ from child to child), your tot will start to have a better grasp of basic language. You can expect your tot to begin recognising people and things by name and, fast-forward a few months, and they will be using phrases and two- or three-word sentences.
Their cognitive skills are developing fast
During the toddler stage, your child is developing faster than at any other stage in their lives, and this is particularly evident in their rapidly-developing cognitive skills (those core skills your brain uses to think, reason, learn, remember and read).
Your toddler is starting to interact with their environment on a whole new level, and there are a number of ways we can support them. The first, is ensuring that their nutritional needs are being met; a fortified Growing Up milk as part of their balanced diet will provide them with iron for normal cognitive development, and vitamin D for normal bone development.
Secondly, this is a great time to invest in some educational toys - such as building blocks and shape sorters - to practice and play with, for boosting their brain development.
They will start to run
This is where you really need to be on the alert, because there is no one more determined than a toddler who has just learned how to run! Your child is developing and growing at a phenomenal rate during their second year, and once they have mastered walking, the next attempt will be at running. Be on the lookout from the 18-month mark, although it could take your tot anywhere up to 24 months to start challenging Usain Bolt!
They're getting that little bit more independent
As they start to approach the 'terrible twos', you will notice that they are becoming more independent - and more defiant, too! So, while they are becoming more socially aware and enjoy mixing with new friends, they also want to remain the apple of Mum's eye! They are starting to become more aware of their environment, and will certainly keep you on your toes as they try to go after EVERYTHING they want.
Aptamil has been the choice for Irish parents for almost 25 years. Through Aptaclub, mums can receive tailored support and advice through every stage of their little one's journey, from pregnancy to toddlerhood. For more information, follow this link.
