Key checklist for this stage
- At 12–15 months in Korea: MMR dose 1, varicella, pneumococcal dose 4, and Hib dose 4.
- Between 12 and 23 months, start hepatitis A dose 1 and Japanese encephalitis vaccination.
- Check that the third infant health checkup (9–12 months) has been done.
- Build a rhythm of three meals and snacks a day.
- After the first birthday, cow's milk can start. Move from bottles to cups.
- Once the baby pulls up, check windows, stairs, and furniture edges again.
Development
Babies pull up on furniture, cruise sideways, and may stand alone briefly. Many take first steps around the first birthday, but timing varies widely, and walking a few months after the first birthday is common.
They pick up small things with thumb and index finger, wave bye-bye, and point at what they want. Some say meaningful first words like 'mama' and 'dada' and understand simple words like 'no' and 'come here'. Pointing and understanding are as important as speaking.
Feeding
Build a rhythm like the family's, with three meals and one or two snacks a day. Cook food soft, cut it small, and keep seasoning minimal. Letting the baby hold a spoon or eat with their hands builds eating skills, even if it is messy.
After the first birthday, babies can drink cow's milk. But too much milk can mean eating less food and iron deficiency, so offer a moderate amount in a cup. Breastfeeding can continue as long as mother and baby wish. Honey is fine after 12 months.
- Do not put the baby to bed with a bottle. It raises the risk of tooth decay and ear infections.
- Juice is not recommended; make water and milk the main drinks.
- Keep avoiding choking hazards such as whole grapes, nuts, rice cakes, and hard candy, or cut them small.
Sleep
Naps are usually one or two a day, and more babies sleep long stretches at night. Some stand up in the crib and cry while practicing pulling up. Keep a consistent routine and practice falling asleep on their own little by little.
Lower the crib mattress to the lowest setting so the baby cannot climb out when standing. It is still safest to keep pillows and thick blankets out of the sleep space.
Health and vaccines
Under Korea's national immunization schedule, the first birthday is a busy time for vaccines. At 12–15 months, babies get MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) dose 1, varicella, pneumococcal dose 4, and Hib dose 4, and between 12 and 23 months they start hepatitis A dose 1 and Japanese encephalitis vaccination. Japanese encephalitis doses and intervals differ by vaccine type, so confirm with your care team.
It is fine to get several vaccines on the same day. Fever or rash may appear several days later (especially after MMR) and usually goes away on its own. Check your baby's schedule on the KDCA immunization helper service.
Once several teeth are in, brush twice a day with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste. A first dental visit is recommended after the first tooth or around the first birthday.
Safety
- Fit window opening limiters, and keep climbable furniture away from windows.
- Add corner guards to furniture, and anchor furniture that can tip over to the wall.
- Keep the bathroom door closed and the toilet lid down. Stay within arm's reach during baths and water play.
- Remove tablecloths, which a baby can pull to spill hot food.
- Keep the car seat rear-facing as long as possible within the seat's limits.
Play and parents
- Name what the baby points to, and talk in short sentences.
- Roll a ball, build and knock down blocks, and sing clapping songs together.
- Let the baby practice walking barefoot on a safe floor.
- If planning a first-birthday party feels like a burden, it is fine to keep it small. Parents' rest matters too.
Vaccines & checkups in this stage
- General checkup 3 — Age 9–12 months
Korea's Childhood Vaccine Schedule → Infant and Child Health Checkups →
FAQ
My baby is past 12 months and not walking yet. Is that late?
The age of walking varies widely, and many babies walk a few months after their first birthday. If the baby pulls up and cruises, you can wait and watch; see a doctor if they are not walking alone by 18 months.
When can my baby start cow's milk?
Cow's milk can start after the first birthday. Too much can reduce appetite for food and cause iron deficiency, so offer a moderate amount in a cup. Discuss the amount with your pediatrician.
Which vaccines are given around the first birthday?
Under Korea's national schedule, MMR dose 1, varicella, pneumococcal dose 4, and Hib dose 4 at 12–15 months, and hepatitis A dose 1 and Japanese encephalitis starting at 12–23 months. Check your baby's dates on the KDCA immunization helper service.
My baby got a fever and rash a few days after MMR.
Fever or a mild rash can appear 1–2 weeks after MMR and usually clears on its own. See a doctor if the fever lasts or the baby is floppy.
When do babies say their first word?
Many say a first word around their first birthday, but it varies a lot. Before words, look for pointing, responding to their name, and understanding simple words.
Sources
- KDCA immunization helper service (Korea)
- Korean Pediatric Society
- AAP HealthyChildren.org
- CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early.
- WHO infant and young child feeding recommendations
Medical information is for reference only. This is general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your child's doctor. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.
Related
Babies sit on their own, crawl, and become wary of strangers. As they explore, hazards at home multiply quickly, so safety checks matter most.
13–18 mo13–18 monthsAs toddlers start walking, there is more they want to do and more they are not allowed to do. Help them express feelings with words and gestures, and let them explore freely within safe limits.
Korea's Childhood Vaccine ScheduleIn Korea, national vaccines are free at public health centers and designated clinics. Plan ahead using the standard schedule, and check exact dates and your child's record on the KDCA Immunization Helper.
Starting solids and toddler foodSolid food fills nutritional gaps and is also how babies learn new tastes, textures and how to feed themselves. Follow your baby's readiness and pace rather than a fixed chart.
Home, Water and Outdoor SafetyMost childhood injuries happen at home, in the moment a caregiver looks away. Look around your home from your child's eye level and stay one step ahead of each stage.
Teeth and Oral CareBrushing starts the day the first tooth appears. A rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste, no bottle in bed, and a first dental visit around the first birthday are the basics of cavity prevention.
Developmental checks and delaysEvery child develops at their own pace, but when you are worried about a delay, checking is better than waiting. Finding out early and helping early does the most for your child.