10 month old baby: Development, growth and milestones

10 month old baby

by Lorna White |
Published on

If you've got a 10 month old baby on your hands, you don't need us to tell you that they're really starting to move more and take an interest in everything!

They're likely to be super speedy crawlers at this point and some tots may even be walking, so that baby proofing really will be put to the ultimate test.

To help you learn more about your baby's development at ten months, we've rounded up everything you can expect during this exciting month.

Key milestones

Mobility - They're probably a super speedy crawler by now, and many babies may start trying to walkthis month.

Hand gestures - your baby might master waving, pointing, clapping and more this month making it a great time to introduce some more toys to play with.

10 month old baby development

Physically, your baby is keen to explore, so now is the time to keep a very (and we mean very) close eye on them. From reaching up onto kitchen sides and cabinets to opening cupboards, your baby will try it all. If you've not already, be sure to invest in some good baby proofing gear to help keep your baby safe from any dangers in the house.

In terms of baby's interaction, they may begin to master the art of waving and if you're lucky, they might even learn to blow kisses at you!

While they're starting to develop their own little personality, they're also beginning to get a taste for independence, and doing things their own way, so don't be surprised if your baby has some meltdowns from time to time.

Separation anxiety may also begin to affect them, and although it's a very normal part of their development, it can feel a little distressing for the both of you. We've got plenty of advice about separation anxiety hereand how to identify it in your child.

10 month old baby growth and health

It seems like your tot has been growing everyday since the day they were born, but now is the time when their physical growth may start to slow down a little, so don't be surprised if their appetite is lower than usual too.

They may begin to refuse their milk or food or just become a lot more fussy at meal times in a bid to assert their independence, but try not to worry. Just remember to keep your patience and keep offering them tasty and nutritious food at mealtimes - they'll eventually find something they're keen to eat.

Stuck for baby food ideas? Here are some of our favourites here!

Now is also the time you might want to start weaning baby off their bottle. Many experts suggest that by 12 months, it's best for baby to be off their bottle (unless advised otherwise). That's because having a bottle for too long isn't great for their oral hygiene or dental health and also, filling up on a bottle might mean they're less tempted by solid foods!

Find out more about independent drinking and the best cups and beakers here

Things to think about at 10 months

Biting - your baby will probably have quite a few teeth now, so may start to explore the power of their bite. Remember to be firm if your tot starts to bite you or someone else. Give them a firm NO. If you think it's down to teething, make sure they have some teething toys to chew on.

Praise - be sure to give your baby plenty of praise this month. Give them space to explore and figure things out for themselves while keeping them safe. If they achieve something, give them a big well done and a big round of applause! This will help build their self-esteem from an early age and help them learn new tricks.

Books - your baby may begin to start reaching out and playing with books more this month, so you'll want to make sure you have some sturdier options for them to feel. Here are some of our favourite cloth books for them to touch and feel.

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