20 Month Old Baby

Your 20-month-old: two-word phrases, running and play.
Average weight at 20 monthsGirls 10.6 kg (23.5 lb)
Boys 11.3 kg (25.0 lb)
Average length at 20 monthsGirls 82.7 cm (32.6 in)
Boys 84.2 cm (33.1 in)

50th percentile (median) on the WHO Child Growth Standards. Healthy babies vary widely around these numbers.

Development at 20 months

Some toddlers begin to put two words together, such as more milk. They enjoy running, climbing and playing alongside other children.

What you might notice

  • May start using two-word phrases
  • Runs more steadily
  • Plays alongside other children
  • Sorts simple shapes
  • Shows interest in what others are doing

Feeding

Offer three meals and two or three healthy snacks a day, eating together as a family when you can. The AAP suggests about 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 oz) of milk a day for toddlers, and no juice is needed. Keep offering new foods: it can take many tries before a child accepts one.

Sleep

Toddlers usually need 11 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including one nap. A regular bedtime and a calm routine help.

Your checklist this month

  • Arrange playtime with other children.
  • Answer your toddler’s words with a slightly longer phrase.
  • Practise brushing teeth twice a day.

Is your baby growing well?

Check weight, length and head size on WHO charts with our Baby Growth Percentile Calculator, or work out your baby’s exact age with the Baby Age Calculator.

When to get medical help

  • A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under 3 months
  • Breathing that is fast, noisy or hard work
  • Fewer wet nappies than usual or refusing feeds
  • Unusually sleepy, floppy or hard to wake
  • A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
  • Repeated vomiting, or green vomit

In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Based on WHO and CDC guidance. Every baby develops at their own pace.