As your baby closes in on his or her first birthday, you are probably excited, thinking that your baby is not going to be a baby that much longer. Eventually, your baby is going to make that transition to the toddler years. In anticipation of this transition, you will want to ensure that you know what to expect.
What do you need to know about babies as they reach 11 months of age? Take a look at a few important points below, and remember to reach out to your pediatrician who can help you make sure that your baby is developing accordingly.
Weight and Size at 11 Months of Age
When you take your baby to the pediatrician, you need to be able to place their height and weight in the appropriate context. Remember that it is important to make sure that your baby is following their growth curve, as would have been established by your pediatrician. If your baby is not that close to the average child, this is not exactly a cause for concern. A few important points to keep in mind include:
- Boys at this age usually fall somewhere between 17 and 20 lb.
- Boys at this age are usually between 27 and 32 inches long.
- Girls at this age are usually between 15 and 19 lb.
- Girls at this age are usually between 26 and 31 inches long.
If you have questions or concerns about your baby’s growth, you should talk with your pediatrician to learn more.
The Development of the Senses at 11 Months of Age
At this stage, your baby’s senses are going to continue to improve. In particular, you will notice that your child is going to become increasingly independent, as their sight and mobility allows them to explore your home. At this point, your child can most likely get around the house efficiently, and as a result you need to make sure that you protect your child as he or she continues to explore the area around him or her.
For example, make sure that you:
- Place plastic covers over outlets
- Keep all cleaning supplies behind locked doors
- Add pads on corners of hard surfaces
- Create barriers that will prevent your child from falling
Even though you want to encourage your child to continue to develop, you need to make sure that he or she is going to do so safely.
Feeding at 11 Months of Age
At eleven months, your child should be eating a variety of fruit and vegetable purees. Make sure that your child is consuming between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup of grains, fruit, and vegetables every day. Your child should also be consuming between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup of dairy foods every day. Make sure that your child is getting plenty of protein as well.
You may want to consider transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup as your child’s teeth start to come in. That way, your child is not going to develop a lot of cavities during his or her baby years. You may also want to consider scheduling your child’s first dental appointment at some point soon.
Bowel Movements at 11 Months of Age
Generally speaking, your child should still be having one soft bowel movement every day. If you notice that your child is not having a bowel movement every day, this is not necessarily an emergency. Some children may only have a bowel movement once every two days.
However, if your child goes several days without having a soft bowel movement, you may want to reach out to your pediatrician. Constipation is a relatively common concern among children at this age. Your child’s doctor should have a variety of options at his or her disposal that can help your child maintain healthy movement.
Coughing at 11 Months of Age
You may have noticed that your child coughs from time to time. This does not necessarily mean that your child is sick, but if you notice that your child is coughing regularly, you may want to check his or her temperature. If your child is running a fever, then this could be a sign of an infection.
There are some children who cough regularly because they are suffering from acid reflux, which a pediatrician can address with any dietary shifts necessary to reduce this in the future. If you do notice that your child is coughing regularly, please do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician, so that you can determine the cause and help alleviate any issues.
Sleep Schedule at 11 Months of Age
At this stage, babies sleep for approximately 11 hours each night. Many children will sleep continuously through the night at this point. Additionally, many babies at this age continue to take two naps a day. These naps may account for between three and four hours when combined.
If your child is having trouble sleeping at night, or you are concerned about the amount of rest that they are getting, be sure to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician.
Emotional Milestones at 11 Months of Age
Your child should be interacting with you a lot more at this age. You may even notice that your child is starting to say his or her first syllables. You will need to interact with your child regularly to continue to encourage this kind of development.
By eleven months, your baby has probably developed a very strong emotional bond with you, which could manifest itself as fear or stress when you leave the room. You may want to keep your eyes open for this as your child continues to develop his and her independence.
Have Questions, or Need an Appointment for Your Baby? Contact North Texas Medical Center Today!
Ultimately, it is important for you to make sure that your child is developing appropriately. The best way you can do this is to schedule regular appointments with a trained pediatrician.
If you are looking for a doctor who can help you and your child, it would be our pleasure to assist you. Here at North Texas Medical Center, we have a fully dedicated Pediatric staff to make sure that your baby is happy and healthy. Contact us today to make an appointment with a member of our team.
