15-Month-Old Baby: Milestones & Development

They’re walking (sort of), they’re talking (sort of), and they’re showing you love. Welcome to the wonderful world of the 15-month-old baby.
In the world of a 15-month-old baby, everything is interesting.

And they’re not satisfied with window shopping.

Looking has to be accompanied by touching and tasting—just to be sure that said item is indeed as fascinating as it appears.

No 15-month-old baby can be too certain.

And not only are they down with the detective work, those tantrum-y twos are on the horizon, and they’re starting to rehearse for their starring role.

But it’s not all detectives and divas.

This period is filled with all sorts of wonders (and challenges) as you get to know your baby better and better every day.

So what are the milestones for a 15-month-old? Let’s take a look at what you might expect.

In this article: 📝

What is 15 months in years?

First off, how old is 15 months?

It might be around this time that you start to skip the monthly baby ages and jump into the years.

So 15 months old is just over 1 year old (which is 12 months old).

##15-month-old milestones
Now for the most common 15-month developmental milestones.

Babies are all magnificently different.

Factors such as being born premature, for example, affect the speed of a baby’s development.

So rather than thinking of this as some sort of 15-month-old development checklist, see it as the roughest of guidelines for 15 months milestones.

(Read: don’t freak out if you think your baby is behind in some way—but do check in with your doc if you’re at all worried.)

What should baby do at 15 months?

So what should a 15-month-old be doing?

While there are no shoulds here, these are some things you might expect as milestones for 15-month-old.

Responding to their name!

You know—the one that you spent so much time agonizing over?

They’ve decided to show their appreciation for all your hard work.

Finding their feet

They’ll likely be doing some sort of dance that looks an awful lot like walking a few steps.

And if they’re not walking at 15 months, it’s nothing to worry about ‒ it can take some time to graduate from crawling to walking.

Generally speaking, most babies learn to walk at about 18 months at the latest, so if they’re between 18 months and 2 years old and not walking, it could be worth a chat with your healthcare provider.

Showing some love

Baby kisses and cuddles are the best compensation for sleep deprivation, we promise.

Imitating

Of course, the sincerest form of flattery.

They may be copying everything from animal sounds to actions you make.

Developing a personality

They’re becoming more and more themselves every single day.

That little personality is emerging, and getting to know them is oodles of fun.

Baring their teeth

Teething may be upon you.

There might be a molar making its way to the surface.

Rehearsing their stand-up routine

They might have worked out that certain things they do make you laugh.

They will do said things again.

Because they just love that limelight.

And this isn’t only with laughter.

They’re starting to understand that their actions cause reactions in you.

Honing their preferences

In preparation for hitting that “Like” button one day, they’re starting to get a handle on their preferences.

So bath and bedtime might not be so high on the priority list when there’s a whole world to play in.

That’s why it’s important to engage them in decisions as early as possible, from outfit options to what to eat and what games to play.

Freeing their feet

They’re realizing the wonders of going sockless, and may be trying to do so at every available opportunity.

Engaging in miscreant madness

Did they really just push their little friend?

If their behavior seems somewhat tyrannical, you may be comforted to know that this is quite normal at this age.

They can’t differentiate between their pals and their playthings, so, at least for now, “boisterous” behavior is to be expected.

It might be a good idea to plan some Peanut mama meetups, so that they can start practicing how to interact with other tiny humans.

15-month speech milestones

How many words should 15-month-old say?

Here’s the average number: 2 to 5.

But seriously ,this is only an average.

There are outliers on either side of the spectrum.

If you’re at all worried, check in with your doc.

Some favorite words? Mama, Dada, Baba, Nana, Doggie.

It can be more than a little enchanting watching your baby discover their language.

They might also have a whole repertoire of gibberish syllables that they like to string together into something that sounds a lot like a news broadcast. Or a fairytale. Or a ghost story.

And not all language is verbal.

They may be mastering the art of the point, both as a means of identifying body parts (Where’s your nose?) and as a means of ordering you around to get what they want.

Or you may have been teaching them baby sign language.

As you may have experienced, they might be more than a little upset if they don’t get the items they’re after.

While this can be incredibly challenging, it’s normal.

They’re learning (rather dramatically) how to get what they want in life. (Mine! Mine! Mine!)

Oh, a quick heads up: rather than asking, What words should baby say at 15 months? ask what words they shouldn’t be saying.

Remember how good they’re getting at playing copycat?

(C’mon. What mama hasn’t dropped an expletive while an item nosedives to the floor during a magical display of multitasking?)

How can I teach my 15-month-old to talk?

When it comes to 15-month language milestones, we know there’s a wide spectrum.

More often than not, there’s no “good” or “bad”, but instead wherever your child is at.

But if you want to encourage your 15-month-old to use more words or get confident talking, there are some things you can try:

• Talk to them about your day and ask them questions.
  
• Ask them to help with simple tasks, so they can link actions with words, like “Can you bring mommy’s slippers?”.
  
• Read them an age-appropriate book or make up a [bedtime story.
  
• Repeat key words in different ways, like “mommy”, “daddy”, “toys”, “drink”, or “smile”.
  
• Use their name whenever you’re talking to them, and use your name in the third person where you can, so they can associate the different names with different people.

Is it normal for 15 month old not talking?

We’re not fans of the word “normal” ‒ after all, what is “normal”?

Keen to get your 15-month-old talking? Try engaging them in play and speaking to them while you’re playing.

There’s such a wide age range for babies’ first words, from 6 months to 18 months, so if they’re not talking by 15 months, they may just need a few more months.

But if you’re concerned about your little one’s development, have a chat with your doctor ‒ they may be able to suggest a few things.

How do you discipline a 15-month-old?

Yup, at 15 months old, your little one may be trying to push your buttons.

It’s less about trying to be naughty, more about testing boundaries.

After all, some children don’t develop the same levels of empathy as adults for a good few years.

But when it comes to disciplining your 15-month-old, it’s all about structure and routine.

If you’re parenting with your partner, make sure you’re both aligned.

One parent disciplining about a 15-month-old using salty language can easily cause confusion if the other is encouraging it.

And try not to compare your 15-month-old to another toddler ‒ they’re all different, with different parents, different environments, and different temperaments.

Here are a few ways you can discipline your 15-month-old to give them a sense of structure (and you a sense of peace!):

• Avoid physical punishments. Spanking or hitting your child is never okay. It can lead to anxiety and encourage physical retaliation.
  
• Structures can work wonders. Get them engaged with planning their own schedule (without sacrificing your own).
  
• Encourage good behavior. Cleaning up their own toys (even when asked)? Tell them they’ve done a good job. Eaten all their dinner? Go for a high five. Whatever 15-month-old behaviors you want them to have, encourage them when you see them in action.
  
• Explain the reasons for bad behavior. If they’ve done something you don’t want to encourage, tell them why, rather than just saying “no”.
  
• Be the change you want to see. Sure, this sounds deep, but it’s basically “monkey see, monkey do”.
  
• If all else fails, distract. These are more of a last resort, usually in case of the dreaded (and inevitable) toddler tantrum. They’ve not yet learned to regulate their emotions, so a distraction with a game or toy and a gentle talk once they’ve calmed down can be healthy ways of working through a meltdown.

Why is my 15-month-old so angry?

Toddler tantrums are to be expected.

They’re natural ways of reacting to unexpected or unwanted situations.

Sure, they might not always make sense to us, but that’s not really the point.

Tantrums can be caused by a range of things: overtiredness, hunger, illness, unexpected situations or results, or something other than what your toddler wanted.

How do I stop my 15-month-old from screaming?

Toddlers don’t always know how loud they are ‒ it’s part of their evolving empathy.

But there can be some triggers for a screaming 15-month-old.

Loud environments, for example, can make them feel like, to be noticed, they need to make the loudest noise they can.

Toddlers can also get overstimulated, and not know how to process their excitement, fear, nervousness, or happiness.

Then the screaming begins.

One of the things that a lot of our Peanut mamas found worked for them was to not raise their voice over their screaming 15-month-olds.

Keep your own voice calm, at the levels you want your 15-month-old to speak, and encourage them when they lower their voice.

What should be the weight of 15 months baby?

How much should a 15-month-old weigh?

The average 15-month-old weight is somewhere between 21.2 and 22.7 pounds, according to the WHO.

That’s about double the weight of a small cat.

No wonder your arms are tired.

Height-wise, they’re likely between 30 and 32 inches tall.

What should 15-month-old be eating?

Your 15-month-old baby is likely on a similar eating schedule to you: three meals and two snacks a day, all amounting to about 1000 calories.

Pick from all food types and colors: fruit, vegetables, grains, meat or vegetarian proteins, and yogurt.

Major bonus: they can pick up finger food and put it in their mouth.

What a hit they would make at a cocktail party!

How many hours should a 15-month-old sleep?

They may be getting better at eating. Sleeping? Perhaps not as much.

Sleep regression usually lasts about 2 to 4 weeks and coincides with big milestones (such as learning to walk) and growth spurts.

While not too typical at this age, there’s a chance that your baby could experience sleep regression at 15 months.

Sleep regression is essentially baby nightmares—and, at this young age, they can’t tell the difference between nightmares and reality.

Frightening, for sure.

This might cause your little one to wake up multiple times or be fussier at bedtime, and can even cause changes in appetite.

What can you do to make sleep issues all a little easier for them?

Regular sleep schedules and a bedtime routine do wonders, but are not always possible. Do what you can.

It’s also a good idea to spend a bit of extra time settling them before bedtime.

Go into wind-down mode a while before sleep-time by cutting out the more stimulating activities.

Then, of course, hop into full mama reassurance mode if they have a meltdown.

How many naps a day should a 15-month-old have?

On average, our Peanut mamas of 15-month-old toddlers tend to go for 1-2 naps per day.

They will usually be sleeping throughout the night, around 11 hours ‒ that sounds like a lot, but they’re going through a lot of brain development at the moment!

Then they could nap for about 2-3 hours during the day, in 1 or 2 naps.

How many teeth should a 15-month-old have?

Teething can usually start at about 4 months old, and you can generally expect your toddler to have about 4 teeth at 15 months old.

Then they’ll keep sprouting up until about 2-3 years old, when they’ll have 20 pearly whites.

How to keep 15-month-old busy

Now for some fun 15-month-old baby games that are educational and enjoyable!

One of our favorite games for 15-month-olds is to get them involved in household chores.

Sorting the laundry? They can work on their colors and hand-eye coordination.

Washing veggies? They can help out, building a healthy relationship with food and cooking.

Watering the plants? Get a toddler-friendly watering can and watch them go (you may need extra towels for this one)!

It’s worth setting your expectations with these 15-month-old development activities ‒ don’t expect the best from your little one, but instead the best they can do.

After all, they’re still learning!

15-month-old baby toys

If Christmas is just around the corner or you just want a treat for your toddler just because, here are some of our Peanut mamas’ favorite 15-month-old baby toys:

1. My First Library: Boxset of 10 Board Books for Kids: Great for building their vocabulary and starting their reading and writing journey.
   
2. Montessori Wooden Shape Sorting & Ring Stacking Toy: Hand-eye coordination and logic skills are sure to get a boost!
   
3. Singing Dancing Talking Cat: Another great way to encourage your 15-month-old to speak and expand their vocabulary.
   
4. Tuko Activity Table: An activity table with all the bells and whistles.
   
5. Gojmzo Busy Board: Great for teaching your little one to work their fine motor skills with clips, belts, zips, and laces.
   
6. VTech Smart Shots Sports Center: If your little one loves to throw things, how about channeling that energy into sports?
   
7. Little Tikes Go and Grow Lil’ Rollin’ Giraffe: Ideal if your toddler is learning to walk.
   
8. Magnetic Drawing Board: Drawing is a fantastic creative activity that also develops their fine motor skills, and this is a mess-free way to encourage it!.
   
9. Fisher-Price Little People Snack & Snooze: For building that all-important empathy.
   
10. Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Dust! Sweep! Mop!: A great way to get your little one to start on household chores ‒ made just for them.

You and your 15-month-old baby

You might be all sorts of exhausted right now.

Sleep challenges may be leaving you spent.

The other thing that we don’t talk about nearly enough is how isolating having a 15-month-old baby can be.

Whether you’re at home or back at work, the experience can be pretty solitary.

So, while it’s easier said than done, this is as good a time as any to reach out to your support network.

The mamas of Peanut will always have your back.

🤰 Read next: 16-Month-Old Baby: Milestones & Development