22-Month-Old Baby: Feeding, Sleep, and Milestones by Month

As your baby approaches their second birthday, you may notice many exciting changes in their development. At 22 months old, your toddler is likely becoming more independent, communicative, and curious. Understanding their expected milestones can help you support your 22-month-old’s growth and provide appropriate activities, routines, and care. This article will cover key aspects of their development, including feeding and sleep routines and important milestones that indicate they’re on track.

Your child is mastering various physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills at this age. Here’s a breakdown of what milestones to expect in a 22-month-old:

At this stage, many 22-month-olds are becoming more confident with their large muscle movements. They may be able to:^1,2

• Walk and run with more coordination (though some may remain a bit wobbly)
• Independently come to a stop from running without falling or running into something
• Climb up or down a few stairs with support or even on their own, one step at a time, putting both feet on each step
• Kick a ball or throw objects with increasing accuracy and balance, especially after watching you demonstrate
• Jump with both feet leaving the floor at the same time
• Squat to pick up toys or objects and stand up without help

Gross motor skills will continue to progress with practice as your toddler grows stronger and more coordinated.

Your toddler’s fine motor skills are improving, allowing them to:^1,2

• Stack six small blocks, cups, or toys on top of each other independently
• Point, grasp, and manipulate objects with more precision
• Turn doorknobs, screw and unscrew lids on jars, and twist a windup toy
• Turn a few pages of a book by themselves
• Flip switches on and off
• String small beads or macaroni onto a string or shoelace
• Close the lid of a box
• Scribble with crayons or markers, imitating vertical lines and circular marks
• Begin feeding themselves with a spoon or fork right-side-up without too much spilling

As your 22-month-old’s hand-eye coordination strengthens, they may enjoy activities that involve more intricate movements, like building towers or drawing simple shapes.

Language and Communication

Language development at 22 months old is incredibly varied, but many toddlers can:^1,2

• Say 20-50 words, including familiar names, common objects, and simple phrases
• Ask for more of something
• Point to four to six body parts and articles of clothing when named
• Answer the question, “What’s this?” when shown pictures of familiar objects like a ball, cup, hat, or dog
• Understand and execute at least three simple instructions, like “Come here” or “Give me the ball”
• Use gestures and sounds to express their needs or desires
• Mimic words and short phrases spoken by adults or caregivers
• Use some possessive and pronoun words correctly, such as “me,” “my,” “mine,” and “you”

Your toddler’s vocabulary is expanding by one to two words per week or more, and they may begin to string two to three different words together to form basic phrases and sentences, such as, “Want cookie,” “Daddy come home!” “Big truck,” or “Doggy eat,” as opposed to just “Bye-bye” or “All done.”^1,2

At 22 months old, your toddler is becoming more aware of their emotions and relationships with others. Milestones in this area include:^1,2

• Displaying attachment to familiar caregivers or family members
• Showing empathy by offering comfort to others in distress
• Experiencing frustration when they don’t get their way or are unable to communicate clearly
• Observing other children intently
• Beginning to engage in parallel play (playing near other children, though not always with them)
• Trying to copy maintenance and self-care activities that you do, such as wiping up spills, sweeping or dusting, shaving, and brushing hair
• Feeding themselves and drinking from a cup with little spilling
• Pretending to care for stuffed animals or dolls by changing their diapers, feeding them, and dressing them

It’s also common for 22-month-olds to test boundaries, sometimes having tantrums or being defiant as they explore independence.^1,2

Cognitive development at this age is also advancing! Your 22-month-old might be able to:^1,2

• Identify familiar objects and people in pictures
• Recognize that an object is upside down and turn it right-side-up
• Scribble when handed a writing instrument without you demonstrating
• Imitate you lining up blocks side by side
• Pretend an object is something else, like using a remote as a phone or putting a box on their head as if it’s a hat
• Dump a crumb or Cheerio out of a bottle or cup by flipping it upside down
• Begin to engage in simple problem-solving activities, like fitting shapes into a sorter
• Recognize and imitate actions they’ve seen before
• Show an interest in books, flipping through pages or pointing to pictures while you read together

Your toddler’s curiosity is blooming, and they’re learning about the world through observation and hands-on exploration.^1,2

Eating fosters fine motor, self-help, and cognitive developmental milestones for your 22-month-old. They should eat solid meals instead of baby foods, though they may be somewhat picky eaters. At this age, your toddler should have three meals a day, with two snacks in between. Throughout the day, your 22-month-old’s diet should consist of:^3,4

• Protein such as meat, beans, or fish
• Fat such as oil, butter, or dairy
• Vegetables, whether fresh or frozen, raw or cooked
• Fruits, whether fresh, frozen, or canned in water or 100% juice
• Grains such as whole-grain bread, pasta, or rice

A typical feeding schedule might look like:

7:30 a.m.
Breakfast: Yogurt with granola and berries
10:00 a.m.
Snack: Small pieces of cheese and cucumbers
12:00 p.m.
Lunch: Peanut butter sandwich on whole-grain bread, bell pepper strips, and cut-up pear
3:00 p.m.
Snack: Whole-grain crackers with hummus
5:30 p.m.
Dinner: Chicken, rice, and steamed vegetables

Your toddler may also enjoy feeding themselves with utensils, though it’s common for them to still prefer using their hands.⁵ While offering a variety of foods is important, remember that picky eating is common at this stage, so be patient with your little one. If you’re struggling with a picky eater, keep offering the food, but wait a few days in between trying again. Serve the new food alongside foods you know that your child eats, and eat it with your child so they can see that you like it!⁶

On average, a 22-month-old typically weighs between 22-32 pounds, but this can vary depending on their growth curve, sex, genetics, and overall health.^7,8 Feeding your child can also be stressful as you worry whether they’re eating enough or too much. But try to focus less on what they eat at a single meal or even throughout one whole day. Looking at the big picture, most toddlers are getting all the calories and nutrients they need within each week.³

Sleep can be a bit unpredictable in toddlerhood. Some toddlers experience a sleep regression around 22 months old, which can result in suddenly waking more frequently at night, having trouble falling asleep, or waking early in the morning. This regression is often linked to developmental changes, such as language development, separation anxiety, teething, illness, stress, or travel. Rest assured that while a 22-month-old sleep regression is stressful and exhausting for parents, it’s temporary! Stick to your usual sleep routine, and your little one should be back to their regular sleeping patterns before you know it.⁹

On average, a 22-month-old needs about 10-14 hours of sleep each day, including one afternoon nap lasting one to three hours.⁹ A typical sleep schedule for your 22-month-old might include:

7:00 a.m.
Daily wake time
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon nap
7:00 p.m.
Bedtime

If your toddler is struggling with sleep at this age, establishing a consistent bedtime routine and ensuring a calm, quiet environment can help. Pay attention to your toddler’s sleep cues such as yawning, clinginess, rubbing eyes, and irritability. Try to avoid letting them get overtired by sticking to their sleep schedule and routine. Bedtime routines are critical for cueing your 22-month-old’s body and mind that it’s time to wind down. You can decide what bedtime looks like for your family, but many parents and children enjoy a nightly bath, a book, and then bed for their routine.^9,10

Figuring out how to incorporate meals, sleep, and activities throughout your toddler’s day can be confusing! While each day might be a bit different and each family’s schedule can vary, a general outline or rhythm for the day can help your child with predictability, expectations, and transitioning between activities. A typical daily schedule for a 22-month-old might look something like this:¹¹

7:00 a.m.
Wake up, diaper change or use the potty, get dressed, and brush teeth
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Independent free play
8:30 a.m.
Outdoor walk
9:00 a.m.
Playground
10:00 a.m.
Morning snack
10:30 a.m.
Music and dancing time
11:15 a.m.
Free play
12:00 p.m.
Lunch and clean-up
1:00 p.m.
Naptime
3:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack
3:30 p.m.
Storytime
4:30 p.m.
Arts and crafts
5:30 p.m.
Dinner
6:00 p.m.
Bath time
6:30 p.m.
Bedtime routine
7:00 p.m.
Bedtime

Of course, every family is different, so you can adjust this schedule based on your needs. Again, the most important thing isn’t sticking to the exact timing or activities each day, but ensuring consistency and order for your 22-month-old. This will help foster a sense of safety, security, and predictability in their world.¹¹

Infections such as common colds, stomach bugs, ear infections, and respiratory illnesses can affect toddlers at this age. You can expect them to acquire four to eight infections per year. Be on the lookout for:¹²

• Fever: If your child has a persistent or high fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three days or a fever that comes and goes without a cause, you should contact your pediatrician.
• Irritability or inconsolability: Reach out to your pediatrician if your child is crying much more than usual and you can’t get them to stop or identify the source of their pain.
• Lethargy: If your child is sleeping much more than usual or their activity levels are depressed for multiple days, this can be a sign of infection. If extreme sleepiness persists for multiple days, contact your pediatrician.
• Lack of appetite: It can be normal for your child to eat less than usual when they’re sick, but if they refuse multiple meals in a row for days at a time, or if they refuse to drink and show signs of dehydration (like fewer wet diapers than usual or crying without tears), reach out to your pediatrician. This is particularly common in illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Rash: A rash that spreads rapidly, involves the eyes or the mouth, blisters, or doesn’t go away may warrant a visit to your child’s doctor.
• Respiratory symptoms: If your child has a persistent cough, is wheezing, or appears to be working hard to breathe, talk to your pediatrician right away.

Frequent handwashing and avoiding obviously sick people can help mitigate infection risk, but getting sick is inevitable in childhood. With plenty of sleep and a well-rounded diet, most illnesses remain mild. Use air filters, avoid secondhand smoke, and vaccinate your child to help prevent severe illness.¹²

At 22 months, toddlers are eager to engage in new activities that promote their development. In addition to standard toddler activities like outdoor play, arts and crafts, pretend play, and reading, here are some fun and educational activities for 22-month-olds:¹³

• Building blocks or stacking cups: See how many objects your child can stack on top of one another before the tower topples over. This activity can help them work on their cognitive and motor skills. It involves using their fingers and mind to foster hand-eye coordination, balance, and planning.
• The floor is lava: Set up pillows, books, or stepping stones on the floor and encourage your toddler to try only standing on them, not the floor itself. This activity fosters gross motor skills (such as balancing and jumping) and imagination.
• Gardening: Start a garden in a pot or in your yard where you and your child can plant seeds, water them, and watch them grow. This activity incorporates motor skills like digging, as well as caretaking and routine.

The best toddler activities are ones that you and your little one enjoy doing together while learning something new or practicing a skill. If you pay attention to your own tasks and chores throughout the day, you may find ways to incorporate your 22-month-old into them. It’s amazing how much my toddler loves to fold laundry, and her joy for it makes it less dreadful for me!

As your toddler grows and develops their cognitive and motor skills, they may begin to take more risks. You can maintain a safe environment by being aware of common dangers for 22-month-olds and how to prevent them. Here are some safety tips to follow:¹⁴

Be mindful of small, hard foods and household objects that might pose a choking risk. Some particular hazards to be mindful of include:¹⁴

• Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, chunks of apples, and carrots
• Popcorn, which can get stuck in the airway
• Hot dogs and other chunks of meat, especially round-shaped ones
• Small parts to toys or game pieces
• Marbles and small balls
• Small magnets
• Coins and coin-shaped batteries
• Pins, safety pins, pen caps, and hair clips

Children can sustain mild to severe burns from sources such as hot water, fire and candles, a hot stove, or pots and pans. Here are some ways to lower the risk of burns in your home:^14,16

• Avoid using candles, or only use battery-operated ones.
• Use knob covers on your stovetop so your child isn’t able to turn on the burners.
• When you’re cooking, turn the handles inward so your toddler can’t pull a hot pot or pan off the stove by grabbing the handle.
• Lower the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding.
• Place a baby gate around the fireplace and radiators if you must use them to heat your home.
• Install and maintain your smoke detectors to prevent house fires from getting out of hand.

Your toddler can fall from any elevated surface and suffer wounds to the head or spine or other broken bones. Be attentive to the following to help prevent falls:¹⁴

• Use baby gates at the top of staircases that don’t have a door, and close those that do.
• Mount tall or heavy furniture to the walls to prevent them from tipping and crushing a toddler who may open drawers or climb on them.
• Place corner bumpers on the edges of sharp furniture to prevent serious injuries if your toddler falls into them.
• Don’t open windows more than 4 inches, and use locks to prevent your children from opening them.

It takes only an inch or two of water for a child to drown; therefore, it’s essential to prevent them from accessing standing water without your supervision. Here are a few tips to be mindful of:¹⁴

• Drain all bathtubs, child pools, and sinks completely and immediately when done using them.
• Use a childproof gate or sturdy cover for your pool and/or hot tub. Lock all doors that access a pool with a childproof lock.
• Keep the lid closed on toilets, and consider using a childproof toilet lid lock.

It may seem like common sense, but try to see your home through your toddler’s eyes. Things you don’t even think twice about — like a colorful laundry pod — can look very enticing to them. Keep anything dangerous (or potentially dangerous) locked and secured. Store weapons properly and out of reach with ammunition separate. Keep children away from long ribbons, strings, and cords to prevent strangulation.¹⁵

No matter how much you’ve childproofed your house, a toddler can almost always find something dangerous! Besides removing as many risky objects and situations as possible, it’s critical to always supervise your toddler during play and meals. It’s also essential to have a plan for emergencies. Consider taking a first aid course to learn what to do if your child chokes or gets injured, and determine where your nearest emergency room is.¹⁴

The 22-month-old milestone period is a time of incredible growth and exploration for both you and your toddler. By understanding their feeding, sleep, and developmental needs, you can support your 22-month-old as they continue to grow curious, active, and independent. Always remember to keep safety a priority and provide plenty of opportunities for learning and play to foster their ongoing development.