Your baby at 23 months
In short
- Around the second birthday many children join words into little sentences, with a vocabulary of 50 words or more.
- Usually around this age: first sentence (18 to 30 months).
- The same food as everyone else, three meals and two healthy snacks, and whole cows’ milk can now be a drink.
What does a day look like at 23 months?
A guide, not a schedule: every baby finds their own rhythm.
- Sleep
Young toddlers may have two naps a day, and as they grow this usually changes to one nap of 1 to 3 hours: by around 18 months, most toddlers have one daytime nap. There is no one rule, and each child is different. Keeping naps away from bedtime makes it easier to fall asleep at night.
- Milk and food
Three meals, two snacks, and about 350 ml of milk a day, or breastfeeding for as long as you both like.
- Teeth
Start as soon as the first tooth comes through, twice a day for about 2 minutes, last thing at night and one other time. Use a small, soft brush and just a smear of children's fluoride toothpaste with at least 1,000 ppm of fluoride (check the box), unless a dentist advises a family toothpaste. Making it a calm daily routine now sets the habit for life.
Checked against NHS, NHS Healthier Together, checked on 2 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around 6 months, but it can be earlier or later).”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Brush last thing at night before bed and on 1 other occasion.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Use only a smear of toothpaste.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check on the box) unless a dentist advises using a family toothpaste with higher levels of fluoride, such as between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride.”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“By around 18 months old, most toddlers have one daytime nap.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“There is no one rule for naps. Each child is different.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026
Written against NHS (your baby’s first solid foods)
What is your baby learning at 23 months?
Two-word sentences
Around the second birthday many children join words into little sentences, with a vocabulary of 50 words or more.
Jumping with both feet
Both feet leave the ground at once: jumping arrives, along with climbing everything in sight.
Two-step missions
Two-step instructions now work: get your shoes and bring them here. Whether they feel like it is another matter.
Usually around this age
- WordsFirst sentence18 to 30 months
When to ask a professional
If your baby has lost a skill they could do before, or you are worried about their development or think they might be behind, talk to your baby’s doctor or paediatrician.
If you are worried about how your child is talking or understanding, talk to your child’s doctor or paediatrician: if needed, they can refer you to speech and language therapy.
Checked against NHS, NHS Healthier Together, checked on 2 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“During your baby's reviews your health visitor will discuss your baby's health and development, and ask if you have any concerns.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“If you are worried, speak to your health visitor or nursery key worker, or contact your local speech and language therapy service for advice.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“If you're worried about your baby's development or think they might be behind, talk to your health visitor or GP for advice and support.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“Have lost skills which they could do before”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“If you're worried about your child's speech or language development, talk to your GP or health visitor.”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026
Written against NHS (your baby’s development), WHO (motor development milestones)
What does your baby eat at 23 months?
Family meals
- What to offer
- Family meals, still without added salt or sugar. Snacks like fruit, vegetable sticks, toast or plain yoghurt.
- On the plate
- Chopped if needed. Round and hard foods still get cut and cooked the safe way, right up to age five.
- How often
- Three meals, two snacks, and about 350 ml of milk a day, or breastfeeding for as long as you both like.
Written against NHS (your baby’s first solid foods)
Is this normal at 23 months?
Gagging or choking, what is the difference?
Gagging is loud, with coughing and red faces, and it is a normal, protective reflex as babies learn to eat. Choking is quiet: the airway is blocked, so there is little or no sound. Always stay within arm's reach at meals and let them feed at their own pace. Learn infant first aid for choking. If the airway is blocked and they cannot cry or cough, shout for help and start back blows at once, and get your emergency number called straight away: by someone else, or on speakerphone if you are alone, so your hands stay free.
My toddler suddenly refuses foods they used to love.
Fussy eating is a normal toddler phase: appetites swing day to day and new caution about food is developmentally typical. Keep offering small portions of varied foods without pressure, eat together, and trust that tastes return over weeks, not days.
Other babies are ahead of mine, should I worry?
Every baby grows and learns at their own speed, and no two babies are the same. Most reach each milestone at around the same age, but some get there earlier or later, and it is common for children to develop at different rates. Your baby's health and development reviews are there to make sure their development is on track, and to ask anything.
How many words should a toddler have?
Children learn to talk at different ages, so there is no fixed number of words to aim for. Around age 2 they start to put simple sentences together. Talking, singing and reading together every day, naming the things you both see and giving simple choices, is the best support.
Suddenly clingy and upset when I leave the room?
Separation anxiety is common between about 6 months and 3 years, a normal part of development and usually a sign of how well you have bonded. A smiling, confident goodbye, something familiar that smells of you, and peekaboo games that show you always come back all help, and most children grow out of it.
Big meltdowns, is this normal toddler behaviour?
Tantrums are normal: a small child with big feelings and not yet the words or control to manage them. Staying calm and close, naming the feeling, and keeping simple consistent limits helps more than reasoning in the moment.
Drooling and chewing everything, is it teething?
Teething often brings drooling, chewing, sore gums and a little extra fussiness, usually from around 6 months. Something cool and firm to chew, a clean finger to rub the gums, and extra cuddles help. A high fever is not caused by teething. Treat a high temperature, diarrhoea or being genuinely unwell as separate from teething, and check with your baby’s doctor if you are worried.
When should we start potty training?
Almost all children can be potty trained between 18 months and 2 and a half years. You do not need to wait for your child to show signs or ask for the potty before you start: some never show them, and that is fine. Over time many start telling you when they need to go. Keep it relaxed and praise every try, whether or not anything happens.
Hard, infrequent poos since starting solids?
Stools often change and can firm up when solids begin. Offer extra water with meals, plenty of fruit and veg, and whole grains. Gentle tummy massage and bicycle legs can help things move. If there is blood, ongoing pain, a hard swollen tummy, or it does not settle, check with your child’s doctor or paediatrician.
Checked against NHS (nhs.uk), Parent Club (Scottish Government), nidirect (Northern Ireland), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), checked on 12 October 2026
“Gagging is a normal reflex as your baby learns to chew and swallow solid foods.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Choking is quiet.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Gagging is a normal reflex that prevents your baby from choking.”
Parent Club (Scottish Government), read on 12 October 2026“Choking is when food gets lodged in the throat and they are unable to breathe.”
Parent Club (Scottish Government), read on 12 October 2026“If your child's coughing isn't effective (it's silent or they can't breathe in properly), shout for help immediately and decide whether they're still conscious.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Call 999 if the blockage doesn't come out after trying back blows and either chest or abdominal thrusts.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“If your child's coughing isn't effective, it's silent or they can't breathe in properly or speak, or are unconscious, call for help immediately on 999.”
nidirect (Northern Ireland), read on 12 October 2026“Most babies start teething at around 6 months, but others start teething before they are 4 months old and some after 12 months.”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“their temperature is slightly raised but less than 38C”
NHS (nhs.uk), read on 12 October 2026“Most infants start teething around 6 months of age.”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“Clinical features may include pain, increased biting and chewing, drooling, gum-rubbing, sucking, irritability, wakefulness, ear-rubbing, facial rash, decreased appetite, disturbed sleep, and in some cases mild temperature elevation (temperature less than 38°C).”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026“Consider teething as a cause of symptoms in an infant or young child up to the age of 3 years, only after other possible causes have been excluded.”
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, and its Clinical Knowledge Summaries), read on 12 October 2026
Checked against NHS, NHS Healthier Together, checked on 2 October 2026
One official page, quoted word for word; a second publisher is not recorded yet.
“Gagging is a normal reflex as your baby learns to chew and swallow solid foods. Gagging is loud.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Choking is quiet.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“If your child's coughing isn't effective (it's silent or they can't breathe in properly), shout for help immediately and decide whether they're still conscious.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“But it's perfectly normal for toddlers to refuse to eat or even taste new foods.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“One day they'll hate something, but a month later they may love it.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“During your baby's reviews your health visitor will discuss your baby's health and development, and ask if you have any concerns.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Help them build sentences - your child will start to put simple sentences together at around age 2.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“If you are worried, speak to your health visitor or nursery key worker, or contact your local speech and language therapy service for advice.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Separation anxiety and fear of strangers is common in young children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, although it can last longer and may also happen at other times of stress or anxiety.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Playing games of peek-a-boo are a good way to show your baby you always come back.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Temper tantrums usually start at around 18 months and are very common in toddlers.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“They feel frustrated, and the frustration comes out as a tantrum.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Most babies start teething at around 6 months, but others start teething before they are 4 months old and some after 12 months.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“their temperature is slightly raised but less than 38C”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Some teething rings can be cooled first in the fridge, which may help to soothe your baby's gums.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Some people think that teething causes symptoms such as diarrhoea, but there's no evidence to support this.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“Almost all children can be potty trained between 18 months and 2-and-a-half years old.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“It's often caused by diet so can happen when using formula milk or when you start introducing your baby to solid foods.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“lie your baby down and gently move their legs like they're riding a bicycle - this can help get things moving”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“if your baby is happy lying down, give them a gentle tummy massage”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“If you think your child may be constipated, take them to a GP.”
NHS, read on 1 October 2026“You do not need to wait for your child to show signs or ask to use a potty before you start.”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“Every baby grows and learns at their own speed, and no two babies are the same. Most babies reach certain milestones at around the same age, but some might get there earlier or later.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“If you're worried about your baby's development or think they might be behind, talk to your health visitor or GP for advice and support.”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“Have lost skills which they could do before”
NHS Healthier Together, read on 2 October 2026“your child will start to put simple sentences together at around age 2”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“Remember, children learn to talk at different ages.”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026“If you're worried about your child's speech or language development, talk to your GP or health visitor.”
NHS, read on 2 October 2026
How big are babies at 23 months?
| Length | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Girls | 85.5 cm | 11.3 kg |
| Boys | 86.9 cm | 12.0 kg |
Written against WHO Child Growth Standards
Which vaccines come around this age?
Every country, and some regions, keeps its own calendar, so the vaccines due at 23 months depend on where you live. Here is each one, from its own health service:
What comes next?
Why? Why? Why? The best question era begins.
Feeds, sleep and nappies in a tap, and the next nap before it comes
In the app you log the day together or on your own, every phone in sync. You see your baby’s growth on their own curve, tick off milestones as they come, get a forecast of the next nap from your own logs, and ask Iris, who answers with all of it in mind.