Your 11-month-old baby isn't so little anymore and next month they'll be celebrating their first birthday. As they approach that one-year mark, they'll be reaching all sorts of exciting baby development milestones as they enter their second year of life.
With every new month comes a new sense of independence for your baby, and as they grow increasingly more mobile, you'll begin to feel like you can't keep up with them!
As your baby develops their walking and learns to start talking, it's becoming a very exciting time for their little brains. From being able to communicate with you more to explore their surroundings, there's a lot for your 11-month-old to see and do.
We spoke to Dr Amanda Gummer, a psychologist specialising in child development, play and parenting to find out more about the development milestones and things we should be looking out for at 11 months.
How much should 11-month-old babies be sleeping?
At 11 months old, most babies still need about 12-14 hours of sleep each day, including nighttime sleep and naps. The amount of sleep can vary depending on the individual baby, but generally, babies at this age will sleep through the night for 9-11 hours at night and take 1-3 naps during the day.
It's important to note that as babies grow and develop, their sleep needs can change. Some babies may start to transition to one nap a day around 12-18 months old, while others may continue to take two naps until closer to 2 years old. It's important to follow your baby's cues and adjust their sleep schedule as needed based on their individual needs.
How much should they be feeding and eating?
At 11 months old, most babies are eating a variety of solid foods in addition to breast milk or formula.
Breastfed babies at this age typically breastfeed on demand, which can vary depending on the individual baby. However, most babies will still breastfeed 4-6 times per day at 11 months old. If the baby is bottle-fed, they may consume around 24-32 ounces of formula per day, depending on their individual needs.
In addition to breast milk or formula, most 11-month-old babies are eating three meals a day, with a variety of foods from each food group. A general guideline is to offer about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of each food at each meal. Babies at this age may also have 1-2 snacks throughout the day.
11-month-old cognitive development
At 11 months old, babies are going through many cognitive and developmental changes as they continue to grow and learn about the world around them. Some key cognitive milestones that babies typically reach at this age include:
• Object permanence. Babies at this age understand that objects still exist even when they are out of sight. For example, if you hide a toy under a blanket, the baby will know to look for it.
• At 11 months old, most babies can say a few words such as "mama" or "dada" and can understand simple words and phrases.
• Babies at this age are able to use trial-and-error learning to solve simple problems. For example, they may figure out how to stack blocks or fit a shape into a matching hole.
• Memory: Babies at this age can remember familiar people, objects, and routines.
• Social interaction: Babies at this age are becoming more social and are able to communicate their needs and wants through gestures and sounds.
11-month-old physical development
At 11 months old, babies are gaining strength and muscle control. Some key physical milestones that babies typically reach at this age:
• At this age, most babies are crawling or may be starting to pull themselves up to stand. They may also be able to walk while holding onto furniture or other support.
• Fine motor skills: Babies at this age are developing their fine motor skills, such as grasping and picking up small objects using their thumb and index finger. They may also be starting to use utensils, such as a spoon, to feed themselves.
• As babies become more mobile, they are developing their balance and coordination skills, which allow them to move around more independently.
• Babies at this age are continuing to gain muscle strength, which allows them to sit up, crawl, and pull themselves up to stand.
How much should baby weigh and measure at 11 months old?
At 11 months old, the average weight for a baby girl is around 18 pounds (8.2 kg) and for a baby boy is around 20 pounds (9.2 kg). However, the range of what's considered a healthy weight can vary based on factors such as genetics, gender, and overall health.
The average length for a baby girl at 11 months old is around 29 inches (74 cm) and for a baby boy is around 30 inches (76 cm).
11-month-old baby health
Choking hazards: As babies become more mobile and start to explore their environment, they may come into contact with small objects that could be choking hazards. It's important to keep small objects out of reach and to supervise your baby closely during playtime.
Sleep: Many 11-month-old babies are still waking up during the night and may have inconsistent sleep patterns. It's beneficial for parents and babies to have a consistent bedtime routine and to create a safe sleep environment to help promote healthy sleep habits.
Things to think about at 11 months
There are several things that parents can do to help aid their 11-month-old baby's development:
Crawling, standing and walking: Encouraging your baby to crawl, stand, and eventually learn to walk (with support) can help build their gross motor skills and promote physical development. You can also provide toys and objects that encourage fine motor skills, such as blocks or toys that require grasping and manipulating.
Read to your baby: Reading to your baby can help promote language development and build their cognitive skills. Choose books with bright colours, simple words, and interactive features (such as flaps or textures) to keep your baby engaged.
Offer a variety of foods: Offering a variety of foods from each food group can help ensure that your baby is getting the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Try to offer a variety of textures and flavours to help expand their palate.
Encourage social interaction: Encouraging your baby to interact with others (such as through playdates or storytime at the library) can help promote social skills and emotional development.
Provide a safe and stimulating environment: Providing a safe and stimulating environment with plenty of opportunities for exploration and play can help foster your baby's curiosity and promote their cognitive and physical development.
Encourage self-feeding: Encouraging your baby to feed themselves with finger foods and a spoon can help promote their fine motor skills and foster independence.
About the expert
Dr Amanda Gummer is a psychologist, specialising in child development, play and parenting. Amanda has a PhD in Neuropsychology, the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and over 20 years’ experience working with children and families. She is also the founder of The Good Play Guide.