Hey mama! Do you have a baby still, or a toddler? These days it can be hard to tell.
But still, you get little glimpses of your baby, like when he snuggles in to nurse or take a bottle, or reaches for his mom in a crowded room. You’re speeding toward that one-year mark, but you’re not there yet, so this month, let’s take a moment to celebrate the 10-month-old baby milestones popping up in your life.
Hey Mama, You have a 10-Month-Old!
Between the ages of nine months and a year, your baby is solidifying a whole repertoire of new skills. They show up in different order for different babies, so it’s hard to pin down exactly what you should be looking for, but as long as your baby is continuing to grow and develop, interacting more and more with the world around her, she’s likely on course. And of course, if you ever have concerns, you should talk to your doctor.
For the next few months, you’ll continue to watch your baby transform into a toddler. There’s an old wives’ tale that babies are either early walkers or early talkers. Who knows if there’s any truth to that in the 2020s, but it can be fun to look for the pattern in your baby: is she constantly on the move, or constantly babbling? Or hey, if she’s doing both, maybe you have a little baby genius on hand.
Either way, should definitely notice more back-and-forth interactions with your baby. Sure, you’re not yet having full conversations, but there should be more and more play and exchanges that involve both of you, not like the early days of just talking at baby. Games like peek-a-boo, rolling a ball, or giving baby a choice between two snacks that you hold out are great ways to encourage this social-emotional skill.
10-Month-Old Baby Milestones
Remember, the milestones you’ll see at 10 months are unique to your baby, but by this age most babies can:
- Pull to stand
- Crawl
- Wave and clap
- Respond to their names and simple commands like “no”
By 10 months some babies are:
- Using simple words like “mama” and “dada”
- Starting to stand independently or walk with support
- Communicating with points and nods
Yup, your baby just ate that
This month, you might find yourself saying “no,” “stop” and “spit that out!” with alarming frequency. That’s because 10-month-old babies love to put everything they find in their mouths. Babies at this age are exploring all their senses and using those senses to understand the world around them. And, that includes the sense of taste. Unfortunately for mothers everywhere, babies just don’t understand that licking a set of keys or eating the dog’s food isn’t socially-acceptable.
The best advice for this stage? First, baby proof what you can. Next, make sure you have the number for Poison Control right in your phone. Now that you’ve done these two things to make yourself feel better, it’s time to take a big, deep breath and relax. Babies everywhere eat things that we adults find downright disgusting. We’re not endorsing letting baby share food with Fido, but if she gets a piece or two it won’t be the end of the world. Remember, exposure to dirt and germs helps build a healthy immune system!
Your very own copycat
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? If so, we know your baby really loves you. There’s some scientific fact to that. Babies won’t just imitate anyone: one study found that babies are more likely to imitate adults who are reliable and trustworthy.
Mimicking you is a way for your baby to understand the world around him. By watching you and the other people in his life—including older siblings or daycare pals—baby will learn the ropes of this whole being human gig. By 10 months, he’s observed enough to know that conversations involve speaking and pauses, which is the building block of that back-and-forth exchange that we talked about earlier.
Now, your baby is looking to you for even more details. Between ten months and a year, you might notice baby imitating your use of objects. Instead of just playing with a block, she might hold it to her head and babble, pretending it’s a phone (or, with millennial moms, maybe that will look like texting?). And just that one small play act is actually super exciting, because it’s the first sign of the imaginative play that will dominate her childhood.
10-Month-Old Baby and Your New Normal
Imaginative play, walking and talking…it can be hard to keep up with your baby’s new normal. While that’s thrilling during playtime, it can be a drag when you’re trying to plan a 10-month-old baby schedule that will keep you both happy and healthy. Here’s what you should know about your baby’s eating, sleeping, and weight.
How much should a 10-month-old baby eat?
At 10 months, you might notice that your baby is taking less milk (either breastmilk or formula). That’s entirely normal. As babies start eating more food, their need for milk decreases, although milk will be the main source of nutrition for your baby until his first birthday. At 10 months, most babies will drink milk 3-4 times a day, for a total of 24-30 ounces. If your little one is drinking more, that’s OK too, as long as he is also eating solid foods well.
And speaking of solid foods, by 10 months your baby is a champion at the table (or highchair). If you’ve been using purees up to this point, 10 months is a good age to introduce more table foods. By now, baby can eat pretty much whatever you’re eating—just be sure to avoid choking hazards, like whole grapes, hot dogs, and popcorn. Introducing a variety of tastes and textures and avoiding too much sugar will help your baby develop a taste for healthy food, setting her up for a lifetime of good nutrition.
How much should a 10-month-old baby sleep?
Most 10-month-old babies sleep 14 hours a day — about 11 at night and 3 during naps (and those naps are usually split between two per day). However, anything between 12 and 16 hours is a normal amount of sleep for 10-month-old babies.
Your baby is moving a lot at 10 months. That means it’s time to reevaluate crib safety. Most importantly, make sure that the mattress is low enough to keep your baby safe even if she stands up in the crib. The rail should be 3/4 the height of your baby to prevent falls. Even though your little one is better in control of her body, it’s still important to avoid having anything in the crib except a tight-fitting sheet—so no pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals yet.
How much should a 10-month-old baby weigh?
Have you noticed how heavy your baby feels? You’re not imagining it! By 10 months, the average baby girl weighs 19.8 pounds and the average baby boy weighs 21.6 pounds, according to data from the World Health Organization.
Planning the Birthday Party You Want
It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about how you want to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. There are a lot of options here: some people like a low-key celebration with just baby and her parents. Others opt for a full-blown party with a theme, decorations, and catering.
The key is to do what feels right for you. The first birthday is more about the parents, and celebrating everything you’ve survived for the past year! Your baby won’t care whether you have 0 guests or 100 — she just wants to spend time with you (and maybe taste some frosting).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words should a 10-month-old baby say?
Your baby may be getting close to talking, but it’s not expected just yet. Talk to your doc if you have any concerns.
Why is my 10-month-old suddenly so fussy?
Your baby is becoming a toddler–and that can be a hard leap to make. Other than things like sickness or ear infections, growth spurts and transitions can cause a baby to be fussy.
