Fifteen Month Well Child Visit

Vaccines

• Pediarix: combination vaccine of DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, whooping cough), Polio, and Hepatitis B.

• HiB: Haemophilus Influezae Type B (not Flu).

• Prevnar: Pneumonia Vaccine.

Side Effects

• Some side effects include fever, irritability and fussiness, excessive crying, vomiting, sleepiness and swelling at injection site among others.

• Give 1.2 ml (1 ½ dropper) of Tylenol Infants’ Drops twice if needed.

Feeding

• Wean from bottle.

• Offer whole milk (16-24 ounces/day).

• No 2% or skim milk until two years of age.

• Offer three meals and three snacks daily.

• Let child decide how much to eat, you pick the foods.

• Set a good example - eat healthy!

• Encourage self-feeding even if messy.

• Always supervise eating.

• Avoid choking foods (nuts, popcorn, carrots, raisins, hard candy).

General care and safety

• Use safety seat in the back seat of the car.

• Childproof your home.

• Encourage safe exploration.

• Supervise baby at all times, especially near water, pets, cars, stoves, and tablecloths.

• Brush baby’s teeth with a soft toothbrush and water.

• Limit sun and use sunblock.

• Praise good behavior.

• Set limits and routines; be consistent and reasonable.

• Delay toilet training.

• Discourage aggressive behavior.

• Use discipline such as “time out” to teach a lesson – not to punish.

play

• Talk, sing, and read together.

• Play interactive games.

• Offer simple and fun tasks.

• Create routines such as a bedtime story.

• Start naming parts of the body and the environment.

• Do not use baby talk.

• Avoid using the word "No".

Fifteen Month Child Milestones

Physical and motor skills

• Walks well.

• Bends down to pick up items.

• Climbs stairs.

• Stacks two blocks.

• Throws a ball overhand.

• Places and removes items from containers.

• Feeds self with fingers.

• Tries to take off clothing.

Sensory & cognitive skills

• Says about ten words.

• Points to body parts.

• Understands one step commands.

• Listens to a story.

• Imitates household tasks.

Developmental Health Watch

Although each child develops in her own individual way and at her own rate, failure to reach certain milestones may signal medical or developmental problems requiring special attention.

If you notice any of the following warning signs in your infant at this age, discuss them with your pediatrician.

• Not trying to walk.

• Cannot pick up small objects when given the chance.

• Does not point.

• Loss of previously known skills

• Uneven walk or limping.

• Frequent falling forward when walking.

• Says fewer than five words.