Baby at 18 months
Updated 25 Oct 2026
What most babies can do at 18 months
Social and emotional
- Your baby likes handing things to others during play
- Your baby starts having tantrums
- Your baby may be afraid of strangers
- Your baby shows affection to familiar people
- Your baby can pretend in simple ways, such as feeding a doll
- Your baby may cling to familiar people in new situations. For example, when a stranger appears or when visiting someone's home, your baby will hold on tightly to you.
- Your baby points to show others things they find interesting
- Your baby can explore and play on their own when you are close by
Language and communication
- Your baby can say a few single words
- Your baby shakes their head and says "no"
- Your baby looks at and points to show others things they want. For example, pointing at a toy they want.
Cognitive (learning, thinking and problem-solving)
- Your baby knows what familiar objects are for, such as a spoon for eating and a toothbrush for brushing teeth...
- Your baby looks at and points to an object or a person to get someone else's attention. For example, your baby points at a cat to draw your attention to it.
- Your baby starts showing interest in dolls/soft toys by pretending to feed them
- Your baby can point to a specific body part. For example, when you ask "where's your nose?", your baby can point to their nose
- Your baby can scribble on their own
- Your baby can follow your spoken instructions without any gestures. For example, when you say "sit down", your baby understands and sits down.
Movement / Physical development
- Your baby can walk steadily on their own
- Your baby can walk up steps and can run
- Starts learning to take off clothes and shoes with your help
- Your baby can drink from a cup
- Your baby can eat with a spoon
If your baby shows any of the signs below, take them to see a doctor early
- Your baby does not point to show others things they find interesting or want
- Your baby cannot walk on their own
- Your baby does not know what basic familiar objects are for
- Your baby does not copy the actions of people around them
- Your baby is not learning new words
- Your baby can say fewer than 6 words
- Your baby does not seem to notice or mind when a caregiver leaves or comes back
- Your baby loses skills they once had
Things you can do for your 18-month-old
- Create a safe, loving environment for your baby. It is important that it is suitable for and familiar to your baby.
- Praise good behaviour more than you punish bad behaviour (only use short periods of discipline)
- Try describing your baby's feelings. For example, say "You'll enjoy reading this book"
- Encourage your baby to play pretend, such as giving a teddy bear a drink
- Encourage empathy for others. For example, when your baby sees another child who is sad, encourage them to hug and comfort the other child.
- Read books with your baby and talk about the pictures using simple words
- You can copy the way your baby talks
- Use words that describe feelings and emotions when you talk to your baby
- Use simple, clear phrases when talking to your baby
- You can ask your baby simple questions
- Try hiding things under blankets and pillows and encourage your baby to find them
- Play with blocks, balls, Lego, books and games that teach your baby about cause and effect and problem-solving
- Name pictures in books and body parts together with your baby
- Give your baby props for pretend play, such as a toy phone, dolls...
- Create safe areas for your baby to move around in
- Give your baby safe toys they can pull and push
- Spend time playing ball with your baby, trying activities like throwing, rolling and kicking
- Encourage your baby to drink from their own cup and use a spoon, and don't worry too much about the mess
- Blow bubbles with your baby and let them pop them – they will love it
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Bluish skin around the lips, hands and feet, or the whole body
A bluish colour around the lips, on the hands and feet, or over the whole body is a sign the baby is short of oxygen. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once.
Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, chest indrawing
Breathing faster than 60 breaths a minute, chest indrawing, flaring nostrils or pauses in breathing are signs of breathing difficulty in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now. If the baby stops breathing or turns blue, call 115.
Convulsions (fits) in a baby
A convulsion in a young baby is a danger sign. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once; lay the baby on their side and do not put anything in the mouth.
Signs of dehydration
No wet diaper for 6 hours, a dry mouth and lips, and few or no tears when crying are signs of dehydration. Sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot, cold hands and feet and excessive sleepiness are signs of severe dehydration and an emergency. Please take your baby to the nearest emergency department now or call 115.
Source: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
Fever of 38°C or higher in a baby under 3 months
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs to be seen by a doctor, even if the baby seems otherwise well. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Jaundice spreading to the belly, arms and legs, or appearing early
Jaundice that spreads to the belly, arms, legs, palms or soles, appears within the first 24 hours after birth, or lasts more than 2 weeks needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby in now, especially if the baby is feeding poorly or very sleepy.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
Poor feeding, lethargy, hard to wake
Feeding problems, clearly reduced activity, or a baby who feels cold are danger signs in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Fever after birth
A temperature of 38°C or higher after giving birth can be a sign of infection. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Heavy bleeding after birth
Soaking through one or more pads in an hour, or passing large clots, is a sign that needs emergency care. Call 115 or have someone take you to the nearest hospital now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
You are not alone, and these thoughts need a doctor's support soon. Please tell someone you trust right away and go to the nearest health facility today. If you feel unsafe right now, call 115.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP) (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Vinmec (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- CDC (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Triệu chứng suy hô hấp ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: WHO – Newborn mortality (fact sheet)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Trẻ bị sốt, khi nào cần đưa đi khám?
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.