Most babies have started crawling and standing at this stage and they will begin to see the world from different angles and perspectives. Not only are they increasingly adventurous, but their lifestyle will be changing too. An 11-month baby eats, sleeps, and plays in a different way than a few months ago.

Caring for a baby is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging. As a parent or caregiver, you probably have many questions about your 11-month old. How much does an 11-month old eat? How far can they see? What is the average baby weight of an 11-month baby? All these questions, and more, are answered in this article.

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Baby Development by Month: Eleventh Month

Now that your baby is almost 1 year old, they are becoming increasingly active and are developing at an alarming rate. Just a few months ago, your baby could barely sit upright without being propped up by a pillow or cushion, now they are attempting to explore the world on their hands and knees while shuffling their way around.

The mental and physical developments that an eleven-month-old baby has undergone are impressive. They can now recognize people by vision, decide what foods they like through taste and smell, and will listen intently to music and different noises.

Average Baby Weight and Physical Changes

The average baby weight for an 11- month old is between 20 to 22 pounds for a girl and 22 to 24 pounds for a boy. The average baby length is between 28 to 30 inches. It’s not a good idea, however, to pay too much attention to the average measurements of children as they can vary greatly depending on the baby. The range of normal is very wide and one baby may be considerably heavier than another at the same age.

Other physical changes at month 11 include the strengthening of leg and back muscles that help your baby stand upright and become more mobile when crawling on their hands and feet. Your baby may even start feeding themselves this month as they become more proficient with their hand skills.

Baby Movement Milestones

As mentioned above, an 11-month baby is incredibly active, and they will be discovering new ways to move their bodies. As they approach their first birthday, they may have already made their first few steps, though it is unlikely that they will be able to walk independently at this stage.

Some babies may insist on walking (with support) as opposed to being carried or seated. This should be encouraged as much as possible, as your baby will benefit from exercising their leg muscles. It’s still important, though, that they have enough time on their hands and knees as crawling can significantly improve their coordination. Don’t worry if your baby is not crawling yet, it’s not uncommon for babies to start crawling after the age of one. There may be cause for concern, however, if your child shows no interest in moving whatsoever.

Baby Vision Development

It’s common for parents at this stage to wonder how well a 11-month old can see. An 11-month old baby can see distant objects far better than they could a few months ago and they can see almost as clearly as an adult. Objects nearby are focused on with ease and your baby can track objects as they move. Parents and caregivers can take advantage of their baby’s improvement in vision by pointing at objects while saying what they are. This will encourage your baby to make a connection between the sound and image of it.

Some problems may become apparent at this stage, however, and it is important to know how to spot eye problems in a child. You should seek medical assistance if your baby shows any of the following symptoms:

• Chronic redness or tearing of the eyes.
• Discolored pupils.
• Constant rubbing or dryness of the eyes.
• Inability to track moving objects.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Misalignment of the eyes.

Spotting eye problems early can stop the problem from becoming exacerbated, so it is advisable to consult an eye specialist as soon as possible if any of the above symptoms are observed.

Baby Hearing Development

A baby is constantly listening to the noises around them, especially when somebody is speaking. Their ability to hear is strongly related to their ability to talk and they will try to imitate the words that they hear on a regular basis.

By 11 months, most babies are able to make vowel sounds and some consonant sounds and will be trying to string them together to form basic sounds such as “mama” or “dada”. It’s recommended that parents face their children when talking to them so that they can see the way their lips move. This will help them understand how certain sounds are made.

Babies of this age are also extremely fascinated by music. Try introducing your baby to various forms of music, as their fascination with the different tone changes and sounds can keep them occupied for long periods of time.

Baby Sense of Smell Development

A baby’s sense of smell is essential for a baby’s development. When they were newborn, your unique scent was how they were able to recognize you. In the first few months, your baby used their sense of smell to become aware of different people and, by the time they reached the age of 6 months, they will have started to utilize their sense of smell to decide which foods they like or not.

Now, at the age of 11 months, your baby has formed solid likes and dislikes and will react accordingly when presented with certain foods. They may cry or become fussy if a food they don’t like is placed before them and they will become intently focused on a food if they like its scent.

Certain smells will help soothe your child, too. Sometimes, the familiar scent of a parent or caregiver is all that’s required to settle a baby when they are crying or upset. Toys or blankets will also develop a familiar scent that will provide comfort and a feeling of security for your baby.

Baby Feeding Schedule

A common concern among parents at this stage is wondering how much an 11-month old baby eats. This varies depending on whether your child is formula fed or breastfed. A breastfed baby should be having 3 to 5 feedings per day, in addition to 3 solid food meals and a few snacks. If you’re unsure what to feed your child, here are a few options:

• Mashed fruit.
• Cooked vegetables (low nitrate).
• Diced cheese or cottage cheese.
• Whole grain cereals and pasta.
• Chopped cooked meat and low mercury fish.

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Baby Sleep Schedule

Most 11-month old babies can sleep throughout the entire night without interruption. In total, a baby of this age typically sleeps between 13 to 14 hours every day, including 2 naps during the daytime. As they get older, they will nap less often and for a shorter time.

The times at which a baby sleep, though, will be different depending on the baby, but it is still important to have a set routine that can be followed every day.

How to Change Baby Sleep Schedule

Having a sleep routine will allow encourage your baby to settle down at an appropriate time. Conversely, it will also teach your child when it is appropriate to be louder. Scheduling playtime and louder activities during the day will stimulate their senses and keep them alert during daytime hours, while reading a story and maintaining a quiet environment will settle your child down on an evening.

Baby Emotional Development Milestones: Eleventh Month

Your baby is able to communicate in many ways at the age of 11 months and can express their emotion by crying, grunting, screaming, and various facial expressions.

The emotional attachment that a baby feels towards their parent or caregiver increases every time they play or interact with each other. Try to have as many “conversations” as possible with your child and read stories to them regularly.

Baby Daily Routine at Month 11

By now, your baby should have a solid routine that consists of feeding, sleeping, playing, bathing, and diapering at similar times each day. This will vary depending on a parent’s circumstances, but all routines should be mindful of the following factors.

• Baby’s don’t necessarily need to bathe every day. If they like being in water, though, it is okay. Their skin should be monitored, though, as over washing can lead to dry and irritated skin.
• Schedule ample time for playing in order to boost your baby’s cognitive skills, skewing playtimes towards the morning if possible.
• An 11-month baby needs 13 to 14 hours of sleep every day, including a long night-time sleep and one or two daytime naps.
• Baby’s between 8 to 12 months typically require 750 to 900 calories per day, with half coming from solid foods and the other half coming from breast milk of baby formula.

Baby Causes for Concern at Month 11

Mild colds, coughs, infections, and fevers are commonplace in babies and, oftentimes, come and go within a few days. Yet, there are certain symptoms which shouldn’t be ignored, and it is important to know when you should seek further medical assistance for your child. You should speak to your doctor if your 11-month old is showing any symptoms from the following list:

• Severe change in appetite. If your child is refusing to eat or is eating poorly and less amounts than usual, it may be an indication of a more serious health concern.
• IF your child has a fever that lasts longer than a day, you should consult medical advice immediately. You may also want to speak to a doctor sooner if they have other symptoms at the same time as the fever, such as a harsh cough or diarrhea.
• It’s not abnormal for babies to vomit, but if your child is projectile vomiting with force you should seek medical assistance straight away.
• Most colds will last a few days and then disappear. If your baby has had a cold for longer than 10 days, however, they may have a bigger medical concern.
• Eye discharge. If your baby is leaking mucus are unusual fluids from their eyes you must contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

Baby Checklist at Month 11

• Begin party preparations for your baby’s first birthday.
• Try a variety of different solid foods to test your baby’s taste buds.
• Look out for any symptoms of illnesses.
• Book a 1-year check-up with your doctor.

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