10-Month-Old Baby: Milestones & Development

Being mama to a 10-month-old baby is non-stop! Whether they’re rolling, crawling, bum-scooting, or taking their first steps, nothing can get in their way (except some well-placed baby gates)! There's a massive range of “normal” physical abilities at this age, so don’t worry about what your little one can (or can’t) do on their feet.

Life is one big discovery for your 10-month-old, so the best thing you can do is give them plenty of playtime.

While their physical growth might be slowing down these days, their cognitive abilities are changing on the daily, so get ready to be impressed!

In this article 📝

10-month milestones

While it’s a good idea to get the lowdown on what kind of things your 10-month-old baby might get up to these days, 10-month-old milestones should be seen as a general guide rather than a specific set of rules.

So if you’re wondering, what are the milestones for a 10-month-old baby? there’s a wide range of normal answers.

If your 10-month-old baby isn’t standing yet, no worries. And if they’re running rings around you already, that’s cool too. Every little human is different, so there’s no harm in learning things at their own pace.

So now we’ve got that cleared up (sighs of relief all round), just what should a 10-month-old baby be doing? Here are some suggestions...

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10-month-old baby development

• Little scientist! Your baby’s curiosity is on another level at this age, so expect them to start wanting to understand how stuff works. Whether it’s spinning the wheels of their toy car or being more fascinated with the on/off switch than the toy itself, it’s their way of learning how the world works.

• Hand-eye coordination is on point. You might notice your 10-month-old getting much more precise with their pincer grip, using it to pick up finger foods, toys, and even the tiniest of crumbs off the floor! Stacking cups or rings are great toys for building on this skill. As they get better at stacking higher, give them the sense of pride they long for by offering specific praise, like “wow, you’ve stacked 4 blocks today, well done!”

• Separation anxiety. It commonly occurs in babies between 10 and 18 months of age. It’s a normal, though sometimes difficult, part of their emotional development. Around now, they understand object permanence, so when they see you leave, they know you’re somewhere, just not with them, which can be upsetting. Make sure to say bye-bye when you leave, rather than just slipping away when their back is turned, and give them lots of affection when you return to them. This phase will pass.

• Interactive play. Never has your little one thrived off playtime as much as they do now. Games like rolling a ball between you, playing peek-a-boo, and simply passing toys or objects back and forth will keep them entertained all day (or at least 10 minutes). It’s a great time to help them learn some new words too, so try to casually narrate your play (“We’re rolling the ball!”) or label the objects baby is playing with (“block!”).

• Mimicking mama. These 10-month-old babies are clever little things and are watching your every move! Don’t be surprised if they start reaching for your phone and putting it to their ear, pointing to what they want, trying to put your shoes on their feet, or pointing the remote at the TV and pressing some buttons. They might even start waving hello or blowing kisses. So cute!

• Easily overstimulated. If you notice some slightly strange behaviors, like rocking while they’re sitting up, grinding their teeth, or hair-pulling, it might be a sign they’re overstimulated. Try a quiet cuddle with a simple book or some nursery rhymes to calm them down. They might want to act like a toddler now, but they’re still babies at heart and can be easily overwhelmed.

Don't miss: 10-Month-Old Baby Activities

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What to feed 10-month-old baby

10-month-old baby food ideas and quantities will vary between each day and each child as they start to develop their own tastes and preferences.

Generally speaking, a 10-month-old eating schedule might include 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, but how much should a 10-month-old eat?

Well, it’s a difficult question to answer, and will probably vary. One day they might eat ¼ cup of oatmeal at breakfast, but the next day, not even a taste. All you can do is keep offering.

But what can 10-month-old babies eat? They’ll probably give most things a try at this age, whether it’s finger foods or mashed foods.

They don’t need smooth purees like when they were younger, and they probably have a handful of teeth in their little mouth and will enjoy exploring different textures.

Of course, just keep everything safe -- no whole nuts or grapes or anything that may be a choking hazard -- and be sure to keep a close eye on them at every mealtime.

When it comes to milk, if you’re breastfeeding, you’re probably still offering 3 or 4 feeds (or more) per day, and it’s up to you and your baby to decide whether to start weaning or not. If you’re bottle-feeding, expect to offer them between 24-30 ounces of milk per day.

You and your 10-month-old baby

Your baby is (hopefully) sleeping well overnight and may still be enjoying two naps per day for the next few months before dropping down to one.

Try to use this time to take care of yourself, whether that’s a nap for mama too, a quick Netflix session, or a healthy solo lunch.

10-month-olds are full of energy, so make sure you’re looking after yourself so you can keep up!

🤰 Read next: 11-Month-Old Baby: Milestones & Development