15 month old toddler

What a 15 month old is doing

Fifteen months is the age of first steps and first words. The CDC's checklist sets out what most children (75% or more) do by fifteen months: take a few steps on their own, feed themselves some food with their fingers, stack at least two small objects such as blocks, and try to use things the right way, like a cup or a book.

Communication is mostly pointing plus a few attempts at words. Most children try to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada" — "ba" for ball, "da" for dog — look at a familiar object when you name it, point to ask for something or to get help, and follow a direction given with both a gesture and words, such as handing you a toy when you hold out your hand.

Socially, the CDC describes a child who copies other children while playing, claps when excited and shows you affection. Ireland's HSE adds that toddlers of this age play alongside other children rather than with them, which is called parallel play, may be easily frightened by loud noises, and may react to changes in their daily routine. Its ages are averages, and it says every child is different. Our 12 month old guide covers the stage before.

15 month old not walking or not talking

The HSE lists starting to walk independently among the milestones most toddlers reach at fourteen months, but what it flags at sixteen months is narrower than "not walking": contact your GP or public health nurse if your toddler is not standing independently or is not walking with support. By twenty months the prompt becomes not walking independently. Our guide to crawling, standing and first steps covers the range.

On talking, the HSE's fourteen-month prompts are about communication rather than vocabulary: contact your GP or public health nurse if your toddler does not say words that have meaning, does not point to objects, does not give much eye contact or shows little interest in other people. Loud babble, pointing and a few words only the family understands match its description of this age. Our speech and language milestones guide sets out what comes next.

15 month old sleep and naps

The CDC says children between one and two years old need 11 to 14 hours of sleep a day, including naps, and that consistent sleep times make it easier. Its bedtime is deliberately plain: pyjamas, teeth brushed and one or two books in a calm, quiet room.

Ireland's HSE says that at 12 to 15 months children usually have one nap in the middle of the day, that children usually keep napping until around age 3, and that older children should avoid naps after 3.30pm because a late nap can lead to a later bedtime. Neither source sets wake windows; both stress a regular routine. If your child is fighting a second nap, our guide on when to drop to one nap covers the move.

Food and milk at 15 months

The NHS suggests at least 350ml (12oz) of milk a day, or two servings of foods made from milk such as cheese or yoghurt. Pasteurised whole or semi-skimmed cows' milk can be the main drink from age one; skimmed and 1% milk do not contain enough fat to be a main drink for under-fives. Full-fat cheese and yoghurt are recommended up to two, and the NHS advises against giving under-twos only wholegrain starchy foods, which can fill them up before they have taken in the calories they need.

Unsweetened calcium-fortified soya, oat or almond drinks are fine from one, but rice drinks are not suitable under five because of their arsenic levels, and whole nuts, including peanuts, are a choking risk under five. The CDC suggests a cup without a lid, practice with a spoon, and water, breast milk or plain milk rather than sugary drinks. Our guide to cups, beakers and dropping bottles covers moving off the bottle.

Checks and vaccinations around 15 months

In England, the NHS lists health and development reviews at 9 to 12 months and at 2 to 2½ years, with none in between. If your child is gaining weight and nobody has concerns, they should be weighed no more than once every three months after twelve months, and you can contact a health visitor or GP at any time. If your child was born prematurely, the NHS works out developmental age from the original due date, not the birth date, until age two.

The UK vaccination schedule has nothing at fifteen months; the next appointment is at eighteen months, covered in our 18 month old guide. In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics' schedule includes well-child visits at 15 and 18 months. Our toddler vaccinations guide compares countries.

Play at 15 months

The CDC's ideas are cheap and specific. Name objects when your child points to them, and wait a few seconds to see if they make a sound before handing them over. Repeat and add to early words, so "ba" gets "Ball, yes, that's a ball." Sing songs with actions, play simple hide and seek, blow bubbles, stack blocks for them to knock down, and let them help with small jobs like fetching their shoes. Screen time is not recommended under two, apart from video calls with loved ones.

Expect tantrums. The CDC says they are normal at this age, more likely when a child is tired or hungry, and should become shorter and less frequent with age; distraction can help, but it is fine to let one run its course. Our guide to toddler tantrums covers what helps.

What is worth raising

The CDC's rule is simple: if your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills they once had, or you have other concerns, act early, talk to their doctor and ask about developmental screening. The HSE says the same about lost skills at every age. Our guide to when to worry about development sets out who to ask.

When to get urgent help

In the UK, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if a child under five has difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast, has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, has a rash that does not fade when you press it, is difficult to wake, has a seizure, or has not had a pee in the past 12 hours. Call NHS 111 if you are worried about a symptom or do not know what to do. Outside the UK, use your local emergency number.

Frequently asked questions

How many words should a 15 month old say?

The CDC lists trying to say one or two words besides "mama" or "dada" as something most children do by 15 months, often incomplete, like "ba" for ball. Ireland's HSE says a toddler may have a vocabulary of 5 to 10 words by 16 months. Pointing and understanding count as much as the number of words.

What is a good nap schedule for a 15 month old?

None of the national sources sets clock times. Ireland's HSE says children usually have one nap in the middle of the day at 12 to 15 months and should avoid naps after 3.30pm. Across 24 hours, the CDC says one- to two-year-olds need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, naps included.

What vaccines are due at 15 months?

In the UK, none. The NHS schedule has appointments at one year and at 18 months, when a fourth 6-in-1 dose and MMRV are offered to children born on or after 1 July 2024. In the US, the AAP schedules a well-child visit at 15 months. Schedules differ, so check the one where you live.