How to Take Care of a 10-Month-Old Baby
What to Expect in Your Baby’s 11th Month of Life
At 10 months old, your baby is only a few weeks away from their first birthday. During these next couples of weeks, there will be a few other important “firsts” to look forward to, as well: first steps, first words and more. It’s an exciting time for you, new parent!
But with these “firsts” come some changes to your parenting style. You may wonder how to take care of a 10-month-old baby who is so different from the baby you knew only a few months ago. How do you continue to encourage growth in your increasingly mobile child while keeping them safe at the same time?
At this point in your child’s life, you should have already baby-proofed your house. But, as your child gets closer to taking their first steps, it never hurts to reevaluate your current baby-proofing situation and determine what adjustments might need to be made. Swap out that bouncy chair for a portable crib or stationary exer-saucer if you need to keep baby in one place. You’ll be surprised how quickly your little one can move!
If you’re worried about how to take care of a 10-month-old baby or not sure what to expect from a 10-month-old baby, take a deep breath. It’s normal for new parents to worry about their child’s development, but remember that your child will take his or her time reaching certain milestones. To help alleviate some of your concerns, we’ve gathered some important information about this stage in your baby’s life below.
What to Expect from a 10-Month-Old Baby: Important Milestones
The last months in a child’s first year of life have the potential for many fun developments. As a new parent, you’re probably looking forward to every single one of them — but, you may also be worried about the milestones your baby may not have yet reached. Does this mean your child is developmentally delayed?
Not necessarily — remember, each baby is unique, so it may take more or less time for your child to reach certain “firsts” in their life. They may even skip certain developmental steps completely! All of this is completely normal; your baby will get there when they get there. However, if you ever have concerns about what to expect at 10 months old, reach out to your pediatrician for medical advice.
So, what are some of these firsts you can expect in these last few weeks before your baby turns 1 year old?
- First words: Your baby has likely been babbling away for a few months at this point. In fact, research shows that while you can’t understand what they’re saying, they have been actively trying to talk with you during this time. Now, you may recognize words directed with meaning; your baby may address you as “ma-ma” or “da-da.” To help your baby further develop their language skills, correct them when they mispronounce certain words and actively describe as much of the world as possible to them.
- First steps: Many 10-month-old babies are “cruising” around by standing up and moving from place to place holding onto support. But they may also be able to stand unsupported for a time, which means they may try to step unsupported, too. Your baby probably won’t be walking steadily for another five or so months, but it’s exciting to see them progress in their journey on the way.
- First “playdate”: It’s a good idea to start socializing your child with playmates when they turn 10 months old. While they may not interact with other, instead choosing to play solo side-by-side, they will use this opportunity to start developing valuable social skills.
- First signs of pretend play: Your baby is an accomplished mimic at this age, and you may be surprised to see them imitating some of your everyday actions, like talking on the phone or dusting off a surface. Your baby’s brain is eager to learn new information, so be careful about what you say and do around the baby. You may see them mimic it not too much later!
How to Take Care of a 10-Month-Old Baby: Getting Started
As your baby approaches their first birthday, their eating and sleeping habits may be changing for the better. In fact, your baby is probably settling into their daily routine fairly easily, making your own life a little easier. Still, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to your baby’s feeding and sleeping habits during their 11th month of life.
10-Month-Old Feeding Schedule
Your baby’s firsts will also involve their newfound ability and willingness to feed themselves during meals. Your baby’s pincer grip is in full-force now; they are able to grab finger foods with ease and maybe even manage holding a bottle or sippy cup. Depending on what your pediatrician recommends, you may even start to wean your baby off their bottle in favor of a sippy cup, as the bottle nipple can impact their teeth coming in.
A 10-month-old feeding schedule should include a variety of solid foods, as well as about 24 to 32 ounces of breastmilk or formula. Your baby will likely be more interested in whatever you’re eating than their formula, anyway. Still, stick to easy-to-swallow, healthy foods like soft fruits and vegetables when it comes to feeding your 10-month-old, and watch them carefully to avoid choking risks.
Concerned about food allergies and when to introduce certain foods for your baby? Always talk to your pediatrician for medical advice on what to feed a 10-month-old and how to identify allergic reactions.
10-Month-Old Sleep Schedule
At this age, the majority of babies are sleeping through the night (about 11 to 12 hours) with minimal periods of awakening. If you’ve been sleep-training your 10-month-old, he or she likely has developed the habits needed for self-soothing and falling asleep alone.
However, it’s not uncommon for parents to panic when a 10-month-old won’t sleep through the night or doesn’t seem to be getting as much as rest as they need. This may be 10-month-old sleep regression — but, fortunately, this problem can usually be an easy fix. Most of the time, it’s not a sign of anything serious. Your baby may be teething, or they simply want to practice their new skills and hang out with Mom or Dad, regardless of the time of day.
If your 10-month-old is not sleeping through the night, be patient. Use the proper techniques to build positive sleep habits, and your baby will fall back into their proper 10-month-old sleep schedule in no time.
Have more questions about what to expect from a 10-month-old baby and how to take care of your little one? Don’t be afraid to talk with your pediatrician, who can offer the best advice when it comes to your son or daughter’s level of development. Most of all, try to relax and enjoy this time; these kinds of developments can show up anytime from 9 months to after 1 year of age. Your baby will get there when they are ready!