What You Need to Know About the 1-Year-Old Syndrome

Babies, from the moment they are born, try to adapt to the world outside the comfort zone of the womb. Babies who encounter different emotions and objects every day begin to exhibit more free behaviors, especially when they reach their first year.

This process, called the 1-year-old syndrome, may seem a bit frightening at first for mothers and fathers, but in reality, all the experiences are considered quite natural.

Babies, from the moment they are born, try to adapt to the world outside the comfort zone of the womb. Babies who encounter different emotions and objects every day begin to exhibit more free behaviors, especially when they reach their first year.

This process, called the 1-year-old syndrome, may seem a bit frightening at first for mothers and fathers, but in reality, all the experiences are considered quite natural.

What Is the 1-Year-Old Syndrome?

The answer to "What is the 1-year-old syndrome?" can be given as the period when babies first see themselves apart from their mothers. Mothers and fathers research this period quite extensively. The reason for this is that parents want to prepare themselves for this situation.

Newborn babies are primarily dependent on their mothers in every respect. However, now that they have started to walk slowly, babies want to express themselves in a clearer way.

In this natural process, defined as the 1-year-old syndrome, babies examine everything happening around them in more detail. Running or walking on their own, without depending on anyone, is among the most commonly seen activities in babies during this period.

Babies who previously preferred to put the toys given to them for entertainment directly into their mouths, when they enter their first year, now prefer to use these toys in different ways.

When mothers and fathers prevent the activities that babies do on their own, it causes babies to burst into crying or tantrums. Babies who want to move completely independently can stress their mothers and fathers a bit during this period.

However, it should not be forgotten that this period is still quite a normal and natural process. At this stage, it is quite important for parents to be in patient and calm spirits and to support their baby's freedom.

When Does the 1-Year-Old Syndrome Begin?

Babies, in the period they enter their age, begin to see themselves as an individual separate from their mothers. Although they want to see their mothers all the time, babies realize that they can now move in a way separate from them, and begin to show signs of the 1-year-old syndrome.

Babies in this period, during which begins to show itself with the first year, now enjoy the pleasure of being able to move on their own. Babies who begin to explore places they could not reach before, burst into crying crises if this movement is prevented.

During this period, mothers try to prevent their babies from making any movements that could harm themselves by continuously following them. However, at this stage, it should also be ensured that the babies' freedom of movement is not restricted.

When Does the 1-Year-Old Syndrome End?

This period, when babies reach their age, begins to crawl and start taking their first steps quickly, is when it shows itself. This period is also called the baby's "1-year adolescence." Babies facing different emotions, if their movements are prevented, enter a fully aggressive mood.

At the first age, when babies are most open to exploring new things, they exhibit movements that could harm themselves. Behaviors such as approaching fire, touching a heated stove, or trying to climb to a high place can cause babies to harm themselves.

Therefore, mothers and fathers try to prevent their babies from making these attempts. However, babies who cannot grasp the reason for this prevention burst into crises and become irritable after their movements are ended.

The end of this period continues until babies reach 1.5 years of age. In some babies, this condition lasts until two years of age, and afterward, since the 2-year-old syndrome begins to show itself, babies' aggressive behaviors can continue on average until 3 years of age.

What Are the Symptoms of the 1-Year-Old Syndrome?

The symptoms of the 1-year-old syndrome are among the topics researched by parents. Mothers and fathers who want to understand their baby's behavior and actions in the best possible way want to have more information about this topic. Generally, the symptoms of the 1-year-old syndrome in babies are listed as follows:

• Babies encounter egocentric emotions for the first time during this period.
• They don't share their toys or anything that belongs to them with others.
• Mothers and fathers are envied more than normal during this period.
• He/She resists eating.
• He/She resists sleeping.
• He/She starts throwing the toys.
• He/She begins to show stubbornness in every matter.
• The crying and temper tantrums increase.
• He/She keeps shouting at the mother or father until what he/she wants comes true.
• His desire to explore areas he/she hasn't touched or reached yet increases.
• His desire to act on his/her own increases.

How Long Does the "One-Year Syndrome" Last?

The onset period of the one-year syndrome is as important as how long this period will last, and it is quite important for mothers and fathers. After all, at this stage, especially mothers need to be more patient and understanding than ever.

One-year syndrome brings food refusal and, with it, prolonged crying spells. At this stage, the attitudes and behaviors shown by parents are quite important for child development.

Overall, this period lasts until 1.5 years of age. However, the two-year syndrome that will begin afterward causes this process to last about two or three years.

What Happens in the One-Year Syndrome?

At this period, babies begin to perceive themselves as individuals and act accordingly. Discovering new things, nearly always objecting to everything, and being constantly in motion are among the main experiences of this period.

He/She starts to refuse eating and resists doing the things he/she wants, which is normal at this period. At the same time, being extremely selfish in a social environment and not wanting to share his/her parents with other children are among the normal behaviors of this period. Getting angry and refusing to sleep at bedtime are also among the most common problems experienced at this period.

What Should Be Done in the One-Year Syndrome?

Babies who turn one year old can give their mothers and fathers difficult moments at some times with the behaviors they exhibit. At this period, when babies begin to feel free, there are certain things that mothers and fathers should pay attention to. Experts list these as follows:

• To let babies feel they can make their own decisions, options should be presented to them. Offering babies two different options regarding toys or food helps them feel that they are making their own decisions.
• Continuing the previously determined routines should be maintained.
• Parents should be patient towards the behaviors babies exhibit.
• To help babies release their energy, attention should be paid to playing games or doing various exercises during the day.
• To help babies spend more time with other babies of their own age group, this should be ensured.