Your 10-Month-Old Baby's Development and Milestones

Your baby is quickly approaching their first birthday, and every day brings new and exciting developments. In fact, your 10-month-old might be hitting milestones like standing, taking steps, and feeding themselves.

"The big theme this month is movement and exploring," says Florencia Segura, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician with Einstein Pediatrics. Most 10-month-olds are doing some type of crawl. "They're also pulling to stand near furniture, self-feeding quite well, and saying 'mama' and 'dada' with specific intent," she adds.

To learn what else to expect for 10-month-old baby development, read on. You'll find information on everything from milestones and baby care to sleep, nutrition, and safety.

10-Month-Old Baby Development

During your baby's tenth month, they're getting stronger in preparation for walking. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says many babies take their first steps around the 12-month mark, but there's a wide variation.

"Usually around 10 months, babies are more mobile," says Corey Fish, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician and chief medical officer for Brave Care. "They are crawling, pulling to stand, and cruising. I have even had kids walking at 10 months. It's rare, but it does happen."

Additionally, your baby's brain continues to act like a little sponge, absorbing information all around them. Consider narrating events in your life, from grocery runs to diaper changes, so they learn about the world. Never shy away from engaging with your baby—even if it's just the two of you.

You can encourage your baby's fine and gross motor skill development by providing toys that help them practice those skills. Also, walk with them and hold their hands while they stand.

10-Month-Old Baby Milestones

By 10 months old, many babies will walk with you holding both of their hands, imitate speech sounds, and respond to the word "no." They can also pick up items more easily.

"Babies this age can use their thumb and forefinger to pick up things, and everything goes in the mouth," says Dr. Fish. "They also can clap or wave and might even say a word or two—even though they're still babbling a lot. You also should expect them to be making eye contact as well as responding and engaging with people around them."

Object permanence is also more developed at 10 months, says Dr. Segura. When you hide a toy or another object, they'll know that the toy still exists. They'll also understand that you still exist somewhere in the house when you're not with them. When you leave the room, they may cry for you, especially because separation anxiety is prevalent at this age.

Overall, as long as your baby is moving around their environment, using their hands, and babbling, you probably have nothing to worry about—even if you feel they're behind their playmates. Remind yourself that every baby develops at their own pace. Milestones aren't hard and fast rules, but rather guidelines that let you know what to expect.

"Parents have a tendency to compare their baby to other kids," says Dr. Fish. "I see thousands of kids and parents are often more worried than I am. Usually, if your baby is behind on one thing, they are ahead on another. There is such a wide range of norma,l and being behind on something usually has no bearing on future anything."

10-Month-Old Baby Food

By 10 months, your little one has mastered finger foods. They're also eating a wide range of flavors and textures. "Babies can eat pretty much everything but honey and cow's milk, assuming it's not something they could choke on," says Dr. Fish. "Even peanut butter and eggs are fine. The data has been clear for a long time that you want to introduce those foods as early as possible."

Wondering how much your 10-month-old baby should eat? The general guideline is roughly 24 ounces of breast milk or formula each day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Their diet should also include fruits, vegetables, protein foods, and some starches.

Many pediatricians, like Dr. Segura, advise letting your baby determine how much they eat at any given time. For this reason, you might try baby-led weaning instead of trying to get your child to eat or drink pre-determined amounts of food.

Also, now that your baby is having three meals a day, Dr. Segura recommends that they eat what the family is eating if possible. "Try to have at least one meal a day as a family," she says. "This sets a good foundation for the next several years of life."

10-Month-Old Baby Sleep

At this age, most babies still take two naps per day. They typically need about 14 total hours of sleep—usually split as 11 hours during at night and three hours during the day.

While many 10-month-old babies sleep through the night, some struggle to snooze in one long stretch. "Most babies this age are capable of sleeping through the night," says Dr. Fish. "When kids aren't sleeping through the night, it sometimes has to do with how the parents are reacting when their baby is waking up or there is a specific reason for the [night waking]."

An illness, teething, separation anxiety, and growth spurts all impact sleep. So if your baby was sleeping through the night and suddenly starts waking again, you may want to investigate what else is going on. If it continues to be a problem and you're not sure what to do, talk to your pediatrician for advice.

10-Month-Old Baby Schedule

At 10 months old, your baby loves exploring the world and testing boundaries—and maybe even your patience. But this time is also one of the most predictable in terms of a schedule.

"Now that your baby is [napping consistently], it is much easier to have them on a schedule," says Dr. Segura. "Some days you might get off schedule, and that is OK, but babies this age thrive on consistency."

Make the most of your baby's nap times to rest and recharge, so that when they're awake, you have the energy to interact with them. "I recommend providing a stimulating and safe environment for baby," says Dr. Segura. "They will be able to explore more when you have at least one room that is completely child-proofed."

Play interactive games, sing songs, and bounce to the music, she says. You also should have a nighttime routine, if you don't have one already, and aim to read at least one book a day—possibly more if your schedule allows. Reading has plenty of cognitive and social-emotional benefits for kids.

10-Month-Old Baby Health and Safety

Your 10-month-old baby is becoming more mobile, so babyproofing is more important than ever. "Babies this age get into everything," says Dr. Fish. "Even childproof medicine bottles are not truly childproof."

Dr. Fish suggests being cautious with standing bodies of water. Kiddie pools, filled mop buckets, dog bowls, open toilets, and more can pose a drowning risk for babies. Also, "if you run a bath and leave it unattended while it's filling up, your baby could potentially climb in. You should stay in the bathroom while the water is running and empty it as soon as you're finished."

You should also check your baby's car seat to ensure they're not too long or too heavy for it, especially if you're still using an infant carrier. "I always advise parents to look for the best car seat you can find that goes backward and forward and has the highest possible weight limit," says Dr. Fish.

10-Month-Old Baby Care Basics

One of the most important—and most enjoyable—ways to care for your 10-month-old baby is through play. According to the AAP, the benefits of play include improvements in social skills, executive functioning, peer relations, language, early math skills, and more.

In addition, your baby might experience their first or second cold around this time, especially if they've recently started daycare. When your little one is under the weather, pay attention to how they're acting and feeling. Symptoms like lethargy, extreme fussiness, stiff neck, breathing difficulty, dehydration, or pain warrant an immediate trip to the doctor. Likewise, your baby should see a doctor if their fever doesn't respond to medications or it lingers for more than 24 hours.

What Else to Know About Your 10-Month-Old Baby

Around 10 months, it's not uncommon for parents to wonder when their baby will take their first steps. The AAP says it usually happens around their first birthday, though there's a wide range of normal.

Even if you're stressed that your baby isn't showing many signs of walking, don't resort to pushing your child before they're ready. Every baby is different, and some simply have less interest in walking right now. Rest assured it will happen in time.