27-Month-Old Child

Nursing is hard enough without having a toddler around — especially if that toddler is jealous of all the attention the new baby is getting, and isn’t afraid to act out on it.

Hitting, hair-pulling or even well-timed tantrums can all be signs that he’s having trouble with the transition.

While this behavior is common — he’s simply reacting to a major shift in his routine — it can be disruptive for everyone. To appease your tot while the baby is breastfeeding, try offering him a special book, puzzle or toy that only “big kids” can do. The idea is to make him feel as special as his new sibling.

In the meantime, try to ignore the tantrums as best you can. If you give him attention every time he cries, he’s sure to keep doing it. Be patient and firm, and he’ll get used to the new routine in time — and grow to adore his new little sibling in the process.

To you, a fire engine siren fades into the background. But to toddlers, sirens (and vacuum cleaners, and barking dogs) are sudden, strange, and much, much too loud.

While his fear is understandable, you can’t eliminate every loud noise from your toddler’s life.

Teach him to cover his ears the next time he hears a loud noise, and explain where the siren is coming from: “That was a fire truck. It makes a loud sound.”

You may even want to buy him a toy fire truck to play with, which can help desensitize him to the sound. Soon enough, he may be making fire engine noises on his own. (Good news, right?)

Now that your toddler is 2, he may surprise you with his ability to think up more elaborate forms of play (cooking an imaginary meal in his play kitchen, or pretending to check your heartbeat with a toy stethoscope, for example).

You can help bolster his pretend play skills by offering him dress-up clothes and props, like old hats, gloves and shirts, or by modeling new scenarios, like throwing a stuffed animal tea party.

And don’t be afraid to show him how to play with everyday items in unexpected ways — using simple objects can allow children to think more creatively.

Once you’ve shown him how to get started, step back and let him take the lead. You never know what will happen next!

To a toddler, all attention is good attention. So it only makes sense that, while you’re preoccupied with something else, he’d resort to flinging food or emptying out a drawerful of clothes — what quicker way to draw your eye back to him?

You have to hand it to him — your toddler is pretty smart. After all, his security is largely dependent on you, so it’s part of his survival instinct to get your attention.

To break the cycle, give him attention for doing something good. Praising your child when he wipes up his spilled milk or is nice to his little brother will satisfy his appetite for attention.

Rare is the toddler who will stay still during a haircut. But he’ll be more cooperative with you than he will be with a stranger, even if that stranger is a professional hairdresser.

Speed is of the essence here. Use a spritz bottle to wet his hair (give him a heads-up first) or dip your comb in a cup of water and comb it out.

Start at the front first — he’ll be at his most docile while you trim the tresses around his face — while holding your child’s head still. (You don’t want him to move while you snip, and this way, you can keep the scissors away from his skin and eyes.)

Then work your way to the back: Hold a section of hair between your fingers and slide your fingers down, snipping right below where your hand is.

Once all the sections are the same length, hand him a mirror and let him take a look at your handiwork. Cue the oohs and ahhs!

Brushing your toddler’s teeth can get harder as he gets older (and even more fiercely independent). While a manual toothbrush can be more efficient — you can hit multiple teeth at once — an electric toothbrush might hold his interest for longer.

If you do opt for an electric toothbrush, go for the gimmicks — a brush that sports cartoons, plays music, or lights up, for example.

Don’t skimp on the other standards, though. Seek out brushes that have been certified by the American Dental Association (ADA) and feature soft (sometimes called polished) bristles that are gentler on your tot’s teeth and gums.

After he’s taken a pass at his teeth, remember to do a clean sweep yourself. Most kids aren’t adept enough to brush by themselves until they’re about 7 or 8 years old (or older!).

Believe it or not, 2-year-olds are capable of fairly complex choreography — from swaying from side-to-side to bouncing on both knees or clapping along to a beat.

While you certainly don’t need to enroll your tot in a dance class, they can be lots of fun. Not only is dancing a great source of exercise, but listening to music can provide plenty of perks for children too.

Luckily, there are plenty of dance studios and classes that cater to the toddler set. At this age, keep the focus on fun. Avoid classes that are all about technique or require their students to learn full routines. What matters most is that he’s enjoying himself — learning how to plie can come later (or never!).