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

Yu've probably noticed some big changes in your baby's physical appearance and growth. That once-tiny newborn is long gone and your little one looks more and more like a proper little human each day!

According to WHO growth charts, when your baby is eleven months old, boys typically weigh between 17 and 27 pounds, with girls weighing in at 15 to 25 pounds. When it comes to height, boys usually measure around 27 to 32 inches, while girls tend to range from 26 to 31 inches. Remember that these figures are rough estimates and as long as your baby is steadily growing, there's no need to worry.

One of the most noticeable changes you might spot in your little one soon is the gradual shift in their physical appearance. They are putting on more muscle this month and losing some of those adorable baby rolls. 

Those chubby cheeks and thigh rolls might have been irresistible, but their changing physique is an excellent sign of a growing, active child.  

On top of this you may also notice changes in your baby's hair and teeth. Some little ones might be sporting a more prominent head of hair by now, while others might still be in the peach fuzz stage. Both are perfectly normal! 

When it comes to teeth, your baby might have their first teeth still just emerging, or might already have a handful of teeth by now. Keep up with regular brushing, even though their toothy grin is still a work in progress!         

As your little one continues to grow and develop at lightning speed, there’s a lot to expect from their cognitive and intellectual development during this exciting phase. Here are a few milestones you might spot this month:

• Clapping their hands
• Starting to dress independently and push their little arms and legs into vests
• Wave goodbye or hello 
• Copying noises or actions that you do 
• Reach up to you to be picked up
• Transition from a bottle to a sippy cup

Teaching Right from Wrong

Now is also the perfect time to introduce your baby to the basic concepts of right and wrong. Remember, every child is unique and some may respond to ‘no’ differently than others. Some babies are more receptive, while others may need firmer guidance or more time.

Don't hesitate to employ the art of distraction, especially when you want to avoid tears or temper tantrums. Gently divert their attention to something else like a colourful toy or an engaging activity. This can work wonders in diffusing potential meltdowns.

Finding The Right Books for Your Baby

If you find that your baby is getting bored of books rather quickly, fret not. It's all part of their evolving tastes and preferences. Exploring the children's section of your local library is a fantastic way to boost their interest in books.

Visiting the library not only introduces your little one to various new books but also helps you discover their preferences. Do they gravitate towards books with animal noises, music, different textures, or interactive pull-outs? Here’s how to choose books for your baby.

One exciting step this month is watching how role play becomes a more significant part of their playtime. You'll see them enjoying toys that allow them to imitate everyday tasks. 

Miniature playhouses, toy kitchens, pretend phones and even doctor's kits can become their new favourite companions. These toys allow them to mimic what they see in the world around them, helping them make sense of it all!

Don't be surprised if they also start to groove and wiggle to the rhythm of any music they hear this month! Encourage their love for music and movement. You can play their favourite tunes, sing along, and even have mini dance parties together. This strengthens your emotional bond and their sense of rhythm and coordination. You could even consider a baby music class!

Although they may not be saying many words just yet, your baby is starting to understand a lot more of them. If you ask for something or inquire about their favourite toy, like "Where is your ball?" or "Can you find your favourite toy?", chances are they will comprehend what you're saying and even look for the item in question.

By now, you may have noticed your baby starting to cruise along the furniture, using it for support while taking those precious first steps. Some babies might even stand alone for a few seconds or up to a minute. However, most babies don't typically take their first unassisted steps until around 13 months, so don’t be concerned if your little one isn’t on the move this month. Remember, every child develops at their own pace and it's essential not to rush this exciting milestone.

If your little one does take those initial steps, don't be alarmed if their feet seem to be turning slightly outward at first. It's normal at this stage of development. The reason behind this seemingly outward-toed appearance is that your baby's hip ligaments are still strengthening and adjusting.  

However, you should never ignore your instincts. If you have any concerns about your baby's walking or foot positioning, don't hesitate to reach out to your GP for guidance and reassurance.

As your little one gets ready to explore the world on two feet, you can play a significant role in encouraging their newfound mobility and get them on the road to walking. Start by kneeling or crouching in front of them, engage them with your friendly face, sing their favourite song, or simply chat away while they're standing. 

At this age, your baby's sleep needs might be evolving, and if this is the case, there are some exciting changes to embrace and challenges to tackle! Most babies around this stage are now snoozing for approximately 11 hours at night, with many of them sleeping straight through. 

Ah, the joy of uninterrupted sleep for you and your little bundle of joy. Don’t be concerned if this isn’t the case for your baby, as many little one’s don’t sleep straight through the night until after their first birthday.

Dropping a Nap

Around this time, some babies may begin to drop their second nap. This change is often due to their growing curiosity and desire to explore the world around them all day. Don't be surprised if they resist that afternoon nap – it's all part of their developmental journey. During this month, many babies also experience what's known as a sleep regression that could see their sleep disrupted during the night. 

As they become more aware of their surroundings and have fun exploring the world around them, they might find it difficult to settle down for naps or at night. Your little one's newfound curiosity can lead to bouts of fussiness, especially when it's time for a nap or in the middle of the night. Remember, it's entirely normal and your baby simply wants to explore the fascinating world around them.

By this age, your baby may also have developed a preference for sleeping on their stomach instead of on their back. While you should still place them on their back to sleep initially, it's not uncommon for them to roll over during sleep time. This is generally considered safe and a personal preference among babies after eight-months-old, when the risk of SIDS is dramatically decreased. 

Ditching The Dummy

If you haven't already, now is a good time to consider saying goodbye to the dummy if your little one uses one to help them settle. While it may take some adjustment, it's a positive step forward in their development.

Start by restricting dummy use at certain times of the day, such as nap time. A gradual decrease in the times that your little one uses a dummy each day will help to wean them off relying on the dummy to settle down and go to sleep.

Your baby is now on the way towards heir first birthday and their nutritional needs are evolving. They’re on the move what feels like all day, every day, and you might spot them getting a lot hungrier as a result.

By the time your baby reaches 10-months-old month, they are likely ready to reduce the amount of milk they consume and start embracing solid foods more with much more excitement and enthusiasm. This helps to make a lot of progress towards a balanced diet and developing their taste preferences.

Around this age, it's a great idea to start weaning your baby off the bottle and onto a sippy cup. This helps them develop their drinking skills, fine motor skills, and prepares them for the transition to regular cups in the future. Be patient, as it might take some time for your baby to get used to this change and embrace using their own sippy cup.

If you’re still breastfeeding your little one, it's recommended to continue doing so until your baby reaches their first birthday, as it provides essential nutrients and comfort. It might feel like you’ve been doing it for years, but keep going, as your little one is still getting lots of nutrients and goodness! 

Self-Feeding

At this stage, your baby should be getting much better at self-feeding. Encourage them to use their fingers during meal time and develop their fine motor skills by offering bite-sized, manageable pieces of food they can pick up and explore. This promotes independence for your little one and enhances their sensory experiences, fine motor skills, and overall feeding skills.

Every baby is unique, and their taste preferences can change daily. Even though your baby has been eating solids for a good few months now, and you’ve probably got a bank of foods they enjoy, it’s key to offer a variety of tastes, textures, and flavours. It’s also a good idea to reintroduce foods they didn't seem to like initially. 

Another great idea at this stage is to begin preparing healthy meals that the entire family can enjoy together. While your little one was still getting used to weaning and exploring foods, they probably weren’t eating much in the way of proper meals. 

But, now they are, including them in mealtimes with the rest of the family is a great idea. This helps your baby learn from your eating habits and encourages them to try different foods they see you eating and enjoying. Just be mindful to leave out any added salt and sugar from your baby's portions, as their little tummies are still sensitive to these ingredients.

Honey, cow's milk as a main drink, and round pieces of food (which can pose a choking hazard) should also remain off the menu for your little one.

Taking good care of your baby's teeth now will set them up for a lifetime of good dental health. Even though your baby may only have a few teeth, it's key to establish a dental hygiene routine and keep their teeth and gums healthy. 

Begin by gently brushing your little one’s teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle baby toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make this a fun experience for your little one and consider playing music or singing a song to them if they don’t enjoy it.

If you’re looking for some simple ways to soothe any discomfort they might be feeling, head to month five.

Choking Hazards

As your baby becomes much more mobile and starts exploring the world around them, you'll need to be extra vigilant about choking hazards. Children under four years old are particularly at risk for choking. And, now that they're standing up and getting more mobile, there's a whole new level of things for your little one to get their hands on that might pose a risk.

Ensure that small objects, coins, and small toys are out of reach. Cut food into small, manageable pieces and always supervise your little during meal times. Remember to be cautious with toys and games with small parts that could be swallowed, and follow the age restrictions on toys to keep your little one safe. You should always check toys yourself before giving them to your little one, but this guidance is generally a good indicator of whether the toy will have small or fiddly parts making it unsuitable for younger children.