69 Week Old Baby: Your Baby's Development and Your Recovery This Week

You might notice a right-or-left preference starting, but don't lock it in yet.

At 16 months, many toddlers start favouring one hand for fine work, but true hand dominance doesn't settle until 2–4 years. Keep offering crayons and spoons in the middle, let your toddler pick.

Most toddlers still put things in their mouths. The biggest dangers at this age:

• Button batteries (in remotes, watches, musical cards), these burn through tissue within hours
• Coins, marbles, small magnets
• Caps of pens and bottles
• Beads from jewellery or craft sets
• Medicines, even one tablet

If you see or suspect your toddler has swallowed any of these, go to the emergency room right away, don't wait to see what happens.

• Your toddler may suddenly go quiet around people they see often. Don't force hellos or hugs, let them warm up at their own pace. A child who's told "you must hug auntie" learns their body isn't theirs to decide about.

• Clinginess, crying when you leave the room, wanting only mama, all peaks between 14 and 18 months. Keep goodbyes short, warm and honest: "Mama is going to the kitchen. I'll be back." Sneaking out makes it worse. It passes.

• Hand washing before meals, taking off shoes at the door, a separate spoon for serving, toddlers pick these habits up by watching the rest of the family. Keep a low stool by the basin so your toddler can reach the tap themselves.

A crayon in the left hand today, the right tomorrow: your toddler is happily undecided, and that is perfectly fine. Behind these 16 month old baby milestones is a mother who childproofed, watched and cared so exploring could stay safe. Your quiet vigilance is a form of love they will never have to know about.

Around 16 months. Family mealtimes start to take shape now.

Eating together, Indian style

Even one meal a day eaten together as a family, at the dining table or floor seating, sets a long pattern. Toddlers learn:

• What food looks like
• How to use a spoon (or hands)
• That food is social, not just fuel
• What "enough" feels like

Things that often help

• Serve the same meal to everyone (toddler portion smaller, milder spice)
• No screens at the table, yours or theirs
• 20–30 minute mealtime, not stretched indefinitely
• Don't pressure to "finish the plate", toddlers self-regulate well at this age

Indian-context tip

• Indian thalis are well-suited for shared family meals, 2 sabzis, dal, roti, rice, dahi, achaar, everyone takes what they want. A small katori for toddler portions makes it less overwhelming.

Mum's eating during family meals

• You may have spent the year shovelling food in cold and standing up. Try to actually sit and eat with the family. It models what eating looks like, and your body deserves the proper meal.

For one-on-one mum-toddler meals

• A small picnic on the balcony or a colourful plate for them often works better than a long meal at the dining table. Variety is the entry, not enforcement.

Worth flagging

• If your toddler has consistent gagging, refusing of major texture categories, or weight loss, talk to the pediatrician. Selective eating is normal; severe restriction sometimes needs intervention.

Worth thinking about

• How you eat, sitting down, taking time, no screens, your toddler is learning. The pattern they see at 18 months becomes the eating habits they carry for life. Worth small effort now to protect family mealtimes.

A shared thali, a small katori, everyone reaching and laughing: this is the table your child will remember. Parenting a toddler happens as much in ordinary dinners as in any milestone moment. Pull up your own chair too; you belong at the feast you created.