From covering their faces in pureed fruit in an attempt to feed themselves, to having to at least help you hold their milk bottle during a feed, you might notice your child is attempting to make his or her own way in the world before his first birthday!
Because dressing and undressing is such a big part of each day - not just morning and night, but with changing nappies through the day - it is understandable that for many toddlers, this becomes a early triumph and/or battleground.
Not all children want to dress themselves. Some prefer you to continue doing it for them as it is a chance to spend time with you, getting your full attention and even playing a game as eyes play peek-a-boo when they pop out from the top of vests and jumpers.
If you have a toddler who can't wait to self-dress, this is a mixed blessing. On one hand, it's lovely to see your child ready to take on a challenge and it might mean you will have less hands-on time in their bedroom more quickly. On the other, these early attempts will involve two legs getting stuck down the arm of a jumper, or hours spent getting ready when you only have minutes to leave the house.
Here are a few tips on how to encourage your child without going insane yourself:

Keep it fun and celebrate the good

  • Build in time - Painful as it can be, if your child really wants to dress himself, try to build in some extra time. Suggest getting dressed half an hour earlier, maybe before breakfast, rather than suddenly realising you need to be out of the house and your child has decided to dress himself.
    Get dressed yourself at the same time so that your child can see how long it takes you. If you are the kind of person who's indecisive and leaves a trail of clothes in your wake, expect the same from junior!

  • Limit the options - If your child likes to try on everything in sight, try to keep favourite trousers well out of site when they're due for a wash, otherwise you're going to have another batltle on your hands.
    Part of your child self-dressing will be the joy of making up combinations. Some little girls enjoy mixing patterns and colours while others are immaculately matching from an early age. Let her go with the flow - she's only a toddler and will, actually, look cute in anything!
    However, do think about maybe leaving out a maximum of two or three tops, vests, knickers, bottoms etc, and putting the others out of sight. Otherwise you will be there all day.

  • Make it fun - Some children love getting dressed themselves but find it hard to get things the right way round. You can offer to help but make out that you need their help to finish the job, or that you're getting the game started - 'Which leg is going to pop out of the trousers first?' (In our house, my son still enjoys, 'Which train is coming out of the tunnel first?' though sometimes it's 'Will it be Thunderbird One or Two?' )

  • Tears and tantrums - The frustration of not being able to get dressed as easily as you, or the missed outfit that's still in the wash, will sometimes cause a major upset. In this case, take a break. If you're in her bedroom, maybe grab some options and take them to the lounge where there are less other choices to distract her.
    Or just for a minute do something else - ask her to help you make the bed, or get him to come and clean his teeth with you.