Baby development: Your 11 month old baby
It's almost your child's first birthday and so much has changed in the
last year. You may find it difficult to keep up with your little one, who is no
doubt moving easily now.
Motor Skills
At 11 months, your baby should be able to walk holding onto furniture or
your hands. They may even let go of your hands to take a few hesitant steps on
their own, or even walk on their own. Some toddlers at this age experiment with
tiptoeing or standing on one leg.
Some particularly adventurous 11-month-olds find rock climbing a fun way
to explore. They will climb on the stalls, cross the railing of their cradle
and get into some pretty dangerous situations. If you have one of these little
climbers, don't provide easy access. Move chairs away from tables and counters
so your child can't climb high enough to spill. Your child also loves opening
drawers and cabinets, so be sure to lock up any chemicals, cleaning products,
or cosmetics that are within reach.
As your child's hand-eye coordination improves, he will enjoy learning
how toys are made by sorting toys by size and color, as well as taking them
apart and putting them back together. Stacking blocks and weaving cups are
great toys for this activity. As they play and explore, many objects end up in
their mouths. If this is a child in the family, make sure older siblings keep
small parts of toys out of their reach.
Eating
Your child should now eat with their fingers and start exploring with
the spoon. Fill your 11-month-old baby's diet with a variety of whole grains,
fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins. Offer morning and afternoon snacks to
give your child enough energy to get through the day. Crackers, fruit, and dry
cereal are good snacks. You will continue to give 450-550 ml of breast milk or
formula per day, increasing the use of the cup throughout the day for a month
until you completely switch over.
Be sure to avoid drinking juice throughout the day. Keep the sippy
filled with water and the baby can stay hydrated.
Your baby's sense of taste is developing, so keep adding different
flavors to your diet. If you have a particularly picky eater who constantly
pushes the spoon away, don't give up. Keep trying new foods. Sometimes babies
need to be exposed to food eight to twelve times before they can be eaten.
Never force your child to eat. It is best to let young children decide for
themselves when they are full. Studies have shown that children who are forced
to wash dishes often become heavy eaters later in life.
Communication
Eleven-month-old babies understand that they are unique people. They
have a keen sense of their likes and dislikes and have learned to use their
emotions to get what they want, like throwing a temper tantrum when you try to
take their favorite toy away from them. Your little one may have already
discovered the word "no". If
so, you will probably hear it many times.
Communication begins to take on a more mature rhythm at 11 months.
Babies at this age can engage in regular conversation. When you ask a question,
you get an answer, even if you probably don't understand much of that answer.
When you name something, your child may show it. You will also likely notice
that your child has a longer attention span and may focus on you or a game for
more than a few seconds at a time.
Tips for your baby's eleventh month
- Now as your child crawls and walks with assistance, let him explore different types of textures including grass, carpet and soil.
- Read with your child every day. Engage the child in this experience by pointing to the people and objects in the pictures and asking the child what they are. You can also attract them by letting them turn the pages.
- Start to reinforce good behavior with praise and correct inappropriate behavior with a firm no.
- Encourage your child to become more independent when dressing, eating and getting ready for bed.
- If your child is currently rolling on both feet, wear ribbed socks or comfortable baby shoes when you go outside. Stay home barefoot until your child starts walking.