It’s just a few weeks to go for your baby to be a one year old toddler, and suddenly you realise how fast the last ten months flew by. That’s what makes the 11 month old baby development milestones more interesting.
Over the next few weeks, he will develop most of his sensory and motor skills. The most striking thing you will see about him is that he is more mobile and independent than he has ever been.
In this article:
- Physical Development Milestones
- Cognitive Development Milestones
- Social & Emotional Development Milestones
- Communication Milestones
- Eating & Feeding Milestones
- Sleep Milestones
- Baby Care for Your Eleven Month Old
- What You Can Do As Parents?
- When to Be Concerned?
Physical Development Milestones
- Can stand and even take a few steps without any support.
- Will have a couple of teeth on his upper and lower jaw.
- Your baby’s dexterity and motor skills will improve considerably during this period. This will enable him to use different positions to reach and get hold of what he wants.
- Since he is actively moving around and playing a lot, he is getting exposed to bugs and germs, which in turn is helping him build his immune system.
- Along with dexterity and motor skills, he is also developing better muscle capacity.
- Thanks to his fine motor skills, he can open, push, pull and grasp better.
Cognitive Development Milestones
- Your little one begins to learn the names of objects around him and the people he regularly interacts with.
- Will closely observe features of not only people but also things around him.
- Learns how things work and what to use things for, such as a cup or a comb.
- Communicates his dislike or disapproval towards certain things by shaking his head, sometimes wildly.
- May understand what specifically you’re warning him not to touch or do, and the words you use to convey (the warning).
Social & Emotional Development Milestones
- Your baby will love meeting new people, especially kids.
- Will enjoy watching other babies play and will love playing side-by-side with them (Parallel Play).
- Will fully recognise his Mama and Papa/Dada now, by name.
- May sometimes show his unwillingness to leave the person/people he is familiar and comfortable with.
- May let off steam if he is tired after a long day or if his day has become a little frustrating.
Communication Milestones
- You will see your baby uttering his first words – clearly (some babies may do it earlier and some a little later).
- Don’t be surprised if he says ‘Papa’ or ‘Dada’ first and not ‘Mama’, as the ‘D’ or ‘P’ sound is much easier for him to say than the ‘M’ sound.
- Will indicate his wants and needs through his actions and gestures, like wanting some object or his favourite toy that’s kept at a place beyond his reach.
- Shows keen interest and will actively engage in two-way conversations, which is a great way for you to have fun with him.
- Will try to imitate not only the words you say but even your expressions when you use them.
- Will try to get or demand your attention by pointing out and gesturing at the objects around him or the pictures/images in a book.
- Can follow your simple requests like “please give me” or “please keep it down”.
Eating & Feeding Milestones
- Your baby will start feeding himself, mostly with his fingers, and will also experiment with a spoon.
- Starts developing his sense of taste.
- Will enjoy eating more solid foods, especially fruits that look colourful.
Sleep Milestones
Unlike the last ten months, your baby’s sleeping hours will be more predictable, as he would’ve got into a sleep routine.
Baby Care for Your Eleven Month Old
- Your baby will begin to form bonds with people he has not seen in a while, especially close relatives. What is important, however, is that he should never be forced to form one with those he isn’t comfortable with.
- You can help him relax and help fulfil his comfort needs in many ways, like dancing along with him to his favourite music, rocking before naps or bed time, snuggling and cuddling or by giving him some extra hugs (of course).
- Make sure that white goods (washing machines, refrigerators, etc.), electronic and electrical items are completely off his reach/limits. Also make sure the switch boards and plug points are baby safe so that he cannot fiddle around with them.
- Since this is a time when he is busy building his immune system, it may seem like he’s always having a cold or a snotty nose. But do not worry and just let him be, as it’s part of the immune building process.
- Have some social time with your baby at the playground or at a baby play gym.
What You Can Do As Parents?
- This is the best time for your baby to join a baby play group.
- Encourage him to be independent and do what he likes, whether it is combing his hair or feeding himself.
- Continue reading simple storybooks with big and colourful pictures for him. This simple activity with him can reap great rewards in the long term.
- Introduce him to new people, be it your extended family, relatives, friends, neighbours or other kids in the park. However, do not force him engage with anyone in particular. Let him choose his company.
- Make sure that he sees you pay close attention to what he is trying to communicate. Also make sure that he sees you responding to him actively. This is a great way to make him feel that what he says is important to you.
- Whenever your little one gets anything right, doesn’t matter how small, just encourage and reinforce his good behaviour by letting him know that he has done a good job. Show some energy. Just smile at him, clap and say something like “very good” or “good job” and celebrate with a high five.
When to Be Concerned?
- Unable to crawl easily or stand properly even with support.
- Baby’s legs look loose, shaky and weak.
- Does not respond to even familiar people or properly recognise regular sounds.
Once your baby crosses the eleven or twelve month mark, there won’t be much of updates on his physical development. Always remember that for your baby, you are his favourite playmate, at least for the next few years.
So make the most of the time with your little one, have fun and just enjoy being his bestie. After all, he’s growing up super fast every day – right in front of your eyes!
Note: Each baby is different and therefore tends to grow at a different pace. Chances are that your little one may have crossed certain milestones already, or is probably a little behind on a few others, which is normal. If you still feel there is something of concern, do speak to your paediatrician/registered professional child healthcare provider.
