Your Baby's 11 Month Developmental Milestones

There is plenty to look forward to when it comes to an 11 month old baby and their developmental milestones. Your baby's development may hit long-anticipated milestones around getting into a standing position and walking assisted. They may also develop more complex communication skills, all of which are exciting for any parent.

Physical 

Physical development for an 11 month old baby typically features improvement in their coordination and strength. Your baby may be pulling themselves upright and walking around by pulling on furniture, a skill referred to as 'cruising'. It is also possible for babies at this age to begin standing and walking independently, although they are more likely to prefer to crawl.

On top of walking, 11 month old babies may also find themselves coordinated enough to take charge of feeding themselves. Self-feeding becomes more common and some even begin attempting to drink from a sippy cup by themselves. This particular skill may take some time to develop so you may see several dropped cups in your future.

All babies move at their own pace, so be sure to remain patient and support your little one during their attempts at mastering physical skills.

Cognitive

At this age, the cognitive development of babies focuses on enjoying sounds and images in the world around them. You may notice your baby getting excited over music and toys that make noise, as well as pictures in books. Be sure to support this interest and incorporate their favourite aspects into playtime.

Emotional

When it comes to your baby's emotional development at 11 months of age, empathy is one of the more prominent skills they may be demonstrating. They may react to others' distress and try to offer comfort as they have been taught by those around them.

Babies at this age typically feel their most confident and comfortable when playing around you. However, they still may come to you for reassurance before going back to exploring.

Communication

Language development around this stage begins to speed up significantly for many babies. Their vocal attempts may begin to sound like the beginning of multiple words. Supporting them in their communication skills can help this learning process. Beyond encouraging their babble, you can support them by reading, singing, or talking to them. The combination of hearing words on a daily basis and being encouraged to respond will build their communication skills.

Communication is possible through other means as well, with some babies relying on pointing, waving, grunting, and nodding to get their meanings across. This level of communication often comes with a greater understanding of what others are saying, with some understanding of simple instructions. For example, some babies will become capable of cooperating with your efforts to dress them.

With this greater understanding comes the need to start setting boundaries. You may begin to teach your baby what is right and wrong, while also telling them 'no' for dangerous things.

Social

Although some little ones may still be dealing with separation anxiety at this age, others begin feeling more confident in being away from their parents. Allow them to explore their limits and remain close by for monitoring and moral support.

Milestones to monitor

Each child's development is unique, no matter what age they are. However, you may want to contact your doctor or child health or Well Child nurse if you notice your 11 month old baby is not:

●      Making any eye contact.

●      Making any sounds or babbling when someone talks to them.

●      Comforted by you or other close carers.

●      Moving or sitting at all.

●      Happy to see people they know and love.

Your baby's development does not have to be all work, sleep and eating. Play is just as crucial for developing core skills such as hand-eye coordination or language skills, regardless if you are playing for hours or a short bout after your baby wakes up.

Just as you let your baby eat as much as they like, it is important to let them play how they want to for their development. This is because every new experience and time spent practising will allow your baby to master physical skills, gain a sense of their body, and engage with the world around them.

Common ways to play with an 11 month old baby include:

●      Tummy time to allow them to practise skills like crawling or pulling themselves upright.

●      Singing songs, reading picture books, or performing hand-clapping games with them.

●      Challenging their movement skills with texture, environmental, or physically demanding toys and objects. This can include sand pits or pull-along toys.

●      Making bath time fun with floating toys and bubbles as they can now sit upright. Just be sure to never leave your baby unattended.

●      Puzzles and cognitive activities.

●      Drawing utensils and paper.

There is also a range of baby toys for practising different developmental skills or engaging certain areas of cognitive development. Seek out the ones that your baby loves most and be sure to play games with them regularly to practise their new skills. Role-play toys will begin to become a popular option during this time, so you may be looking forward to games of pretend soon.

Let your baby learn about the world around them, but be sure that they do it safely. Baby gates are a good investment if you have particular areas of the house you do not want little ones underfoot, or to block off dangerous areas like stairs. This can also ensure that they remain in the same room as you while exploring, but most children at this age still want to remain in their parents' sights; even when they are having fun. 

11 month old babies become increasingly more curious and mobile with each passing day. This means parents are required to pay even closer attention to ensure that no choking hazard is ending up in their little one's mouth, or that they are not at risk of falling.

Some concerns you may have to consider for your baby's wellbeing include:

●      Falling from furniture, stairs, or other heights.

●      Sticking objects into electrical outlets.

●      Placing things into their mouth due to curiosity or teething pain, potentially choking or ingesting unhealthy substances.

●      Walking on painful or dangerous objects.

Many of these concerns and others can be resolved by successfully baby-proofing your home and installing safety measures. Softening the corners of furniture, placing baby gates around hazards, or covering outlets can help keep your baby happy and healthy. It is also important to keep your attention on your little one at all times while remaining supportive of their explorations. Just be sure to put some shoes on their feet if they decide to take their explorations outdoors.

At the end of the month, you may need to look into booking your baby's 12 month vaccinations. Their health needs to be at its peak before they can enjoy their first birthday and all of the new developments that come with it.

Self-care tips for parents

Between taking care of your little one and the household, it is important to not forget about taking care of yourself. Everyone deserves a chance to rest and recuperate, especially when your baby decides to become mobile, requiring constant observation.

Self-care is what allows many parents to remain on top of everything in their lives, including an active baby. You can treat yourself even with a baby in your home by trying some of the following methods:

●      Getting as much sleep as possible. With your baby taking fewer naps during the day, there are fewer chances than in previous months to sleep during the day. However, many babies are more consistent at sleeping through the night, so be sure to head to bed not long after them to get enough rest.

●      Regularly eat healthy foods and try exploring new and easy meal ideas to make cooking less of a chore. Focus on nutritional and high-protein foods to give you enough energy to keep up with your little one.

●      Make some time for physical exercise to boost your mood and keep your body healthy.

●      Socialise with family, friends, and other loved ones on a regular basis to take some time for yourself and connect with others. This can be through a simple video call or a weekly coffee meetup.

●      Check-in with your emotional and mental wellbeing. Reflecting on your emotions can help you determine whether you need to reach out for assurance or help.

●      Enjoy the things you love, whether that is hobbies, spending quality time with a partner, or binge-watching a good television show.

There are plenty of aspects and concerns to consider during an 11 month old baby's development. Your health and wellbeing is just as important as your baby’s, so taking care of yourself can ensure you are the best you can be for your baby!