Everything you need to know about your eleven-month-old!

As they reach their first birthday, your baby's physical growth may slow down compared to the rapid pace over the last year. This slower growth rate is entirely normal and reflects a natural adjustment as your baby transitions from a newborn to a more active and mobile toddler. The fastest growth rate is often seen between six and nine months, as your little one starts transitioning from their newborn days and gets on the move.

According to WHO growth charts, boys weigh approximately 21 pounds and stand at a height of around 30 inches as they reach their birthday. Girls of the same age are slightly smaller, with an average height of about 29½ inches and a weight just shy of 20 pounds.

It's important to remember that these figures are averages and there is a wide range of normal growth patterns. Some babies may be smaller or larger than these averages and that's perfectly okay. What matters most is that your little one is healthy, happy, and developing at their own pace.

Until this point, your baby has been like a little sponge, absorbing everything from their environment. Fun fact: their brain has actually doubled in size since when they were born!

They are keenly observing your daily routine and might even try to imitate your actions or things they do regularly. For example, they may attempt to help out while getting dressed by pushing their arms and legs into their clothes, which is not only adorable and pretty helpful, but also a sign of their growing cognitive abilities.

A common favourite activity for babies in their twelfth month is sorting objects. They'll enjoy putting things into containers and then taking them out again, as well as toys that allow them to explore different actions. 

Offer toys that twist, spin, turn, crank, and can be banged, clanged, pushed, and pulled. This is a great way to capture their (still quite short) attention span, introduce them to problem-solving, and help develop their fine motor skills at the same time.         

When thinking about your little one’s developing communication skills, it’s easy just to focus on whether or not they’re speaking yet. But, one of the most noticeable aspects of your baby's communication development is often their non-verbal cues. 

You may find your little one tugging at your hand, leading you towards something they want, or even shaking their head in disapproval. These are all big steps in your little one’s quest to express themselves. 

Even though they're not always vocalising in the form of words, it's key to acknowledge and respond to these non-verbal cues. When your little one grunts or points to something they want, take the time to understand their needs. Show them that their attempts at communication are valued.  

To further aid in your little one's budding communication skills, consider adding some simple but effective techniques into your daily routine if you haven’t already:

Body Part Pointing: When asking your baby where their nose or eyes are, point to the respective body parts. If they do point to the right place, encourage them and repeat the word to affirm to them, “Hey, you got it!”.

Narrative Interaction: As you go about your day, involve your baby in the conversation as much as possible. Narrate your actions, count objects, point at things, and name them. This keeps them engaged and attentive.

While their communication skills are quickly developing, it's important to remember that your baby's attention span may need to catch up. Don't be surprised if they swiftly move from one toy to another, seemingly in the blink of an eye. Their curiosity is too much to keep up with, and they are keen to explore everything.

Maturing Emotions

Emotionally, your baby is experiencing significant growth during this month. Emotions like caution and fear are beginning to mature. If your baby developed a case of stranger anxiety around the nine-month mark, you might notice it starting to subside this month. 

Top Tip: Continue to provide a warm and reassuring presence for your little one when encountering new faces. Over time, their confidence will grow and stranger anxiety will naturally lessen.

The Magic of Music Groups

If you haven’t done so already, now is a great time to consider joining a local parent-and-baby music group. These groups offer numerous benefits for both you and your baby, and the twelfth month is a perfect time for your little one to try it out and make the most of it.

A lot of babies are cruising along furniture this month, which means they are using the support of tables, sofas, and anything they can grab onto to move around. This is an exciting but sometimes nerve-wracking phase as a parent, as your baby is beginning to explore their environment independently. 

Some particularly adventurous little ones may surprise you by taking a few steps on their own this month. However, it's important to note that most young toddlers don't walk confidently until at least 13 or 14 months, if not later. Every child develops at their own pace and there's no need to rush this journey.

Keeping Your Baby Safe

As your baby gets on the move, it's crucial to ensure their safety while allowing them the freedom to explore. Childproofing your home becomes even more vital at this stage. 

However, while keeping them safe is key, you don't want your little one to feel trapped or restricted. They have a huge curiosity to explore the world around them and we want to promote this curiosity.

Give them plenty of opportunities to explore different areas of your home where it is safe to do so. This will stimulate their curiosity and help their cognitive development as they discover new spaces and objects they haven’t seen before. 

Remember that children learn through their senses, so even if objects aren't traditional toys, it's perfectly fine to let them examine and interact with household items such as wooden spoons, whisks and plastic tubs (supervised, of course). 

As well as their newfound mobility on two feet, your baby is also honing their fine motor skills this month. Action songs with hand movements are a fantastic way to encourage and develop these skills. Classics like 'Incy-Wincy Spider' and 'One Potato, Two Potatoes' are perfect for this age.

Your little one might now sleep for around 11 hours at night and you might be lucky enough to get a full night of undisrupted sleep. However, keep in mind that every baby is unique and some may still wake up occasionally for comfort or a night feed.

This transition can be a bit tricky, so watch out for your baby's cues. If they seem more energetic in the mornings or fussier during their usual morning nap time, it might be time to adjust their schedule. Experiment with shifting the morning nap later, or if your baby seems ready, consider transitioning to just one longer afternoon nap. Keep in mind that this change is gradual and patience is key.

Sticking To a Bedtime Routine

As your baby enters their twelfth month, they become more independent and explore the world in new and exciting ways. This newfound independence can sometimes lead to more resistance at bedtime! 

Your little one might become more vocal about wanting to stay up and play or cuddle. While nurturing their independence is essential, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine is equally important.

Stick to your established bedtime routine, including activities like a warm bath, a soothing bedtime story, or gentle lullabies. These familiar and calming experiences can help signal to your baby that it's time to wind down and prepare for a peaceful night's sleep.

Transitioning Sleepwear

Around the twelfth month is a great time to transition your little one from a sleepsuit with a sleeping bag to a sleepsuit with a baby quilt or blanket. Sleeping bags are great for keeping your little one cosy and safe while they sleep, and they remove the risk of a blanket moving around and covering your baby’s head during their sleep.

If you’re still breastfeeding your little one, this breastfeeding can continue as long as you and your baby are comfortable with it. The World Health Organisation recommends that babies be breastfed until at least twelve months old, but if you and your little one are still enjoying your breastfeeding sessions, carrying on with it is completely healthy.

Ditching The Bottle

However, it's around this time that you might want to consider transitioning from a bottle to a cup. Ideally, aim to make this transition by or before your baby's 18-month mark if you haven’t done so already. It's a gradual shift, so don't rush it and don’t expect your little one to take to it right away.

Around this point, your little one has likely really got the hang of eating. Meal preparation tends to become more exciting and much easier now because your little one can join in with the family feast.

Be creative with your choices and remember to keep things manageable in terms of portion size and texture, and avoid salt and sugar in your little one’s portions. Soft, bite-sized pieces work best to prevent choking.

Many parents also start to think about introducing snacks to their little ones this month. Try to wait unitl their first birthday, in line with NHS advice. While it might be tempting to reach for processed snacks, if possible try to opt for healthy alternatives where possible. Fresh fruit, cheese, vegetable sticks, wholegrain toast, or plain yoghurt are great choices.

When your baby hits the one-year mark, you will also have more freedom around foods you previously avoided. Some foods, such as honey, runny eggs, and cow's milk can now be added to their diet. These additions come with nutritional benefits, but it's essential to introduce them safely. Make sure any eggs are British Lion eggs, and that this is clearly stated on the packaging.

Transitioning From Formula

When it comes to milk, your little one should be transitioning away from formula to cow's milk. Full-fat cow's milk is an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for strong, healthy bones. Aim to provide your baby with a maximum of about 400ml (just under a pint) of full-fat milk a day, including drinks and any milk used on breakfast cereal.

A final thing to note on feeding your baby is that while they are now enjoying a broader range of foods, you still need to keep up with their vitamins. The government recommends that all children aged six months to five years be given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D daily.         

As you reach your little one’s first birthday, you’ll have your next round of injections that might now seem like a newborn memory. These vaccinations are designed to protect your baby from potentially serious illnesses. Here's a breakdown of the immunisations your little one should receive soon:

• 1st dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): The MMR vaccine provides immunity against three highly contagious diseases. Measles, mumps, and rubella can cause severe health complications, so this vaccine is key in keeping your child safe.
• 1st dose of Hib/Men C (Haemophilus Influenza B and Meningococcal C): This vaccine offers protection against Haemophilus Influenza B and Meningococcal C, both of which can lead to serious infections. Ensuring your baby receives this vaccine is essential to safeguard their health. 
• 2nd dose of PCV (Pneumococcal): The Pneumococcal vaccine shields your child against pneumococcal infections, which can cause pneumonia, ear infections, and more. The second dose is given at twelve months to enhance your baby's immunity. 
• 3rd dose of Men B (Meningococcal B): Meningococcal B can lead to life-threatening infections. The third dose of this vaccine is crucial to maintain your child's protection.

It's natural to have concerns about vaccinations, but rest assured that they are extensively tested and are a proven way to keep your baby safe from a range of serious diseases. 

Your GP will provide more information about the vaccines, the illnesses they prevent, and any known side effects to look out for. 

To help relieve discomfort following these injections, offer them their favourite snack or some milk to comfort them, and give them paracetamol immediately to reduce residual pain and control any emerging fever caused by the MenC vaccine.

According to the NHS, more than one child in ten having the Hib/MenC vaccine have:

• Pain, redness or swelling at the site of the injection
• A high temperature
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Sleepiness

They advise you to give your little one a dose of infant paracetamol or ibuprofen liquid according to the instructions on the bottle if needed. Ensure they aren’t wearing too many layers of clothes or blankets, and give them cool drinks if they develop a temperature.