Mental Leap 10 - 75 Weeks

Your child is now more than 1.5 years old, and you have reached the 10th and final leap. In this final leap, the child begins to understand systems. This is when they learn to use their ingenuity, observe your reactions, and understand what is right and wrong.

Social development also takes a leap, and you will likely notice your child begins to show care for others. Even though your child has acquired many new skills, you will still experience impulsive reactions.

Read also: Mental Leaps – Follow your baby’s development through 10 leaps

What to expect during the 10th leap

During the final leap, your child becomes much more self-aware and understands the connection between emotions. You will notice your child expresses feelings in a different and more familiar way, and if you are sad or in a bad mood, your son or daughter may show empathy and understanding for your feelings. In other words, emotional development takes a big leap during this period.

Your child also takes a significant step in social development. Suddenly, there are so many people to relate to. Everyone in the family has their place, and this is what your child tries to learn and understand. Concepts like empathy, conscience, and patience come into focus during the 10th leap. You may have noticed your child tries to help you. Let them come to the rescue—even if it takes longer.

In terms of sleep, you may find your child has nightmares and wakes up screaming or whimpering in their sleep. It may also take longer to fall asleep. It can sometimes be difficult to manage all the new emotions, resulting in crying, tantrums, and sudden mood swings. The best thing you can do is to be there for your child and show extra care and affection—even if it feels impossible at times.

Signs of the 10th leap at 75 weeks

There might be several signs that your child has entered the 10th leap. Some clear signs of the final stage can include:

Increased crying and dissatisfaction

It does not take much for your child to suddenly throw a tantrum. But wait, wasn’t they just playing and having fun? Mood swings are very common during the 10th leap, due to emotional development and the many new impressions.

The best thing you can do is to be patient and allocate a little extra time when, for example, you are heading out the door.

Sleep disturbances

The mental changes can simply become too much for your little one, and this can negatively affect sleep. Just when you thought their sleep was secure, it can be interrupted several times during the night. The day's impressions need to be processed, which can result in awakenings and even nightmares.

Clinging to parents

It may be harder for your child to let go of mom and dad, and you may find your child clinging to you. They may also have difficulty with strangers, and crying may even start if strangers get too close.

Mental Leap at 75 weeks - how long does it last?

This leap is longer and can last up to five weeks. But as you know, every child is different, and you may only notice a few signs. The leap starts at week 59, and around week 60-61, you may notice your child being particularly clingy.

Tips to get through the 10th leap

The best thing you can do is accept your child's development and show you are there when it feels difficult and overwhelming. Acknowledge your child's feelings and tell them you understand, for example, if they are sad. It can be helpful to allow more time to get out the door, and sometimes it might be best to cancel an activity or event if everything becomes too overwhelming or unmanageable.

You as parents have not done anything wrong. The leap is a part of development. A lot happens during this period, and each child reacts differently. Support and encouragement are some of the best tools when your child is in development.

Let your child explore the world on their own, even though it can be hard to step back. Stick to your bedtime routines and ensure a calm environment, making it easier for the child to rest. A baby hammock might be the solution to disturbing sleep. You might want to choose a motorized baby hammock, which does all the work for you. The hammock's movements remind the child of the time as a baby, as well as the safe embrace of mom and dad, which is soothing for your child.

The time after the leap - 75 weeks

After the 10th leap, you will notice entirely new sides of your child. If another child is crying or has hurt themselves, they will show a higher degree of empathy and try to comfort the crying child.

Linguistically, there are also more words, and you will probably notice your child saying more words, even if they are not always understandable. Your child gradually understands everything that is being said and responds accordingly. Try, for example, asking your child to fetch a toy, a cloth, or something else recognizable.

Remember to continue involving the child in household tasks and let them help where it makes sense. It has become even easier to play different games, and your child now has fine motor control over their body.