Advice: 2.5 years
April 1, 2025
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Contact us online now
Phone
Suite #100 Rockville, MD 20850
Many children are still in cribs, although if they are trying to climb out you should transition out to a toddler or regular bed. Most children will still nap once a day. Even if they sometimes do not sleep, it is wise to insist on a quiet period of rest at a regular time each day. You should aim for a bedtime between 7 and 8 PM.
Check-up: Your provider will complete a comprehensive history and physical exam, review growth curves, answer any questions, and provide age appropriate guidance.
Vaccines: There are no routine vaccines at this visit
Labs: There are no routine labs at this visit
Screening Questionnaires:
Most toddlers are (daytime) potty trained by age 3. Signs of readiness for include: the child being interested in the potty, being able to stay dry for at least 2 hours in the daytime, being able to pull his/her pants up and down, and the parent being ready to take on this adventure. There are many methods (such as the 3-day method) out there, and our website has some information and resources! Most children still wear pull-ups while they sleep at this age, and that is ok!
You can drop the nap or overnight pull-up once it is consistently dry a few days in a row.
You should encourage your child’s emerging independence and offer choices to the child whenever possible while retaining your authority to make and maintain family rules. Remind them when their behavior is not what you’d like to see, and always model the kind of actions and language you are looking for. Consistency is key at this age!
Looking for some book resources? You can check out Raising Good Humans, No Drama Discipline, Tiny Humans, Big Emotions or Hunt, Gather, Parent.
Now is the time to take control of screen time! Limit TV watching, video games, and tablet use to under 1 hour per day. Keep electronics out of the bedroom.
Fluoride varnish might be applied to your child’s teeth today. As soon as saliva meets the fluoride, it will harden and start working. Avoid sticky/chewy foods this afternoon and DO NOT brush teeth tonight. When you brush the teeth tomorrow morning, you will brush off the fluoride and that is okay. Regular and frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride is the best way to protect tooth enamel and protect teeth against cavities.
Sugars and bacteria cause cavities in 1 in 4 children. We recommend that you:
ALWAYS… supervise your child near water, even a partially filled bathtub. Fence in backyard pools.
ALWAYS… wear sunscreen when spending time outside. It’s a good idea to wear sunscreen every day.
ALWAYS… guard windows and stairs with railings and gates.
ALWAYS… pay attention to choking hazards such as hot dogs, popcorn, hard candy like jelly beans, and small toys.
ALWAYS… lock all cabinets with medications and household poisons such as cleaners and paint thinners.
ALWAYS… know that guns in the home are a danger to the family. If guns are kept in the house, store the gun
and ammunition in two separate locations, and keep each of them locked up.
ALWAYS… use a 5-point harness car seat in the back of the car (rear or forward facing) at this age. Children under
age 13 should never be seated in the front seat.
Potomac Pediatrics will always be fully focused on helping your child and you to overcome any healthcare hurdle, with innovative, comprehensive and compassionate care.
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