{"id":6633,"date":"2026-08-21T22:23:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T22:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/?p=6633"},"modified":"2026-08-21T22:26:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T22:26:26","slug":"10-month-old-baby-milestones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/10-month-old-baby-milestones\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a010-Month-Old Baby Milestones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What to Expect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ten months can feel like the age when your baby suddenly becomes very busy, Mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are not just sitting and watching anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may be crawling, scooting, pulling themselves toward furniture, trying to stand, reaching for everything, and following you with their eyes like they need to know exactly where you are going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also notice more personality than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A very clear \u201cI want that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A very clear \u201cDo not take that away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And an even clearer \u201cWhy are you leaving the room without me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stage can be exciting because your baby is becoming more independent, but that independence does not mean they need you less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If anything, they may want to explore the room and still keep checking that you are nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then, of course, the milestone questions begin again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should my baby be pulling to stand?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should they be saying real words yet?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are they suddenly pointing at things?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should they be walking soon?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten months falls between the CDC’s formal 9-month and 12-month milestone checklists, so there is no single official list of things your baby must master exactly this month. The CDC recommends using the younger checklist when your baby’s age falls between two milestone ages. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So this month is less about checking off a perfect list and more about watching all those nine-month skills become stronger while new ones slowly begin to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Baby May Be Moving With a Purpose Now<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At ten months, movement can start looking very intentional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby sees something across the room and may actually have a plan for getting there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they crawl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they scoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they move in a completely unique little way that only makes sense to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some babies may already be pulling themselves up using furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others are not there yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 12 months, the CDC looks for skills such as pulling up to stand and walking while holding onto furniture. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your ten-month-old may be starting to work toward those skills now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might notice them kneeling beside the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grabbing the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying to straighten their legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Falling back onto their bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then trying again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Mom, that little determination is worth noticing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are learning through repetition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing Can Become the New Obsession<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once some babies discover standing, they want to do it constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You sit them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They pull themselves up again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You put them in the crib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then suddenly they realize they have absolutely no idea how to get back down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cue the crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be such a funny stage because learning to stand and learning to lower back down are two separate skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may need time to figure both out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give them safe opportunities to practice while staying close enough to help when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And make sure furniture they use for support is stable and secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As your baby’s mobility changes, baby-proofing matters more than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crawling Still Does Not Have to Look One Specific Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your baby is crawling now, you may notice speed increasing quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One week they barely moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next week you turn around and they are halfway across the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But some babies still do not crawl traditionally at ten months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Mom, that alone does not mean something is wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some scoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some use one knee differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some roll and pivot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some spend more time focused on standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC does not use crawling itself as one of its required milestone markers at nine or twelve months. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What matters more is the bigger picture of strength, coordination, movement, and continued development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the way your baby moves concerns you, especially if they seem to avoid using one side of their body, that is something to bring up with your pediatrician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their Hands Are Becoming Much More Precise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ten months can bring a big change in how your baby uses their fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few months ago, they may have grabbed things with the whole hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now you may notice them trying to pick up smaller pieces of food or toys with their fingertips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 12 months, the CDC includes picking things up between the thumb and pointer finger as a movement milestone. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may see early versions of that pincer grasp developing now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can make mealtimes much more independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may work very hard to pick up one tiny piece of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally grab it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then immediately drop it on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That does not mean the effort was wasted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are practicing coordination every single time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mealtime May Feel More Independent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your baby is eating complementary foods, ten months may feel very different from those first spoonfuls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may want to feed themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grab the spoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick up pieces of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drink with help from a cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And very clearly let you know when they are finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be a good stage to follow your baby’s hunger and fullness cues while continuing to follow your pediatrician’s advice about safe textures, choking prevention, allergens, and appropriate nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not worry if meals still look messy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is not only eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are practicing hand control, chewing skills, coordination, and independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, independence often lands directly under the high chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Baby May Understand More Than They Can Say<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is such an interesting language stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may not have many actual words yet, but they can begin understanding much more of what you say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere is the ball?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and they look toward it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and they respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You tell them \u201cno,\u201d and sometimes they may even pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By one year, the CDC looks for babies understanding \u201cno\u201d and waving goodbye as common communication milestones. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your ten-month-old may be beginning to understand familiar words and routines now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep talking naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell them what you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is building understanding long before they can answer with full words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Babbling May Sound Extremely Convincing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ten-month-old babbling can honestly sound like a complete language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pauses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occasionally what sounds suspiciously like an argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may use repeated sounds such as \u201cmama,\u201d \u201cdada,\u201d \u201cbaba,\u201d or other combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes one of those sounds may begin to have meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it is still just sound practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By around one year, many babies begin using a special name such as \u201cmama,\u201d \u201cdada,\u201d or another familiar name for a parent. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At ten months, your baby’s communication may still rely heavily on babbling, gestures, facial expressions, and body language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And honestly, you probably understand most of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gestures Start Saying a Lot<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may begin reaching toward what they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifting their arms to be picked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holding something out for you to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe even starting to wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gestures are such an important bridge between babbling and words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is realizing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can do something with my body and Mom understands me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respond to those gestures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your baby reaches toward the ball, say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou want the ball?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are giving words to something they already understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peekaboo May Turn Into Hide-and-Seek Lite<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By now, your baby may understand that something can still exist even when they cannot see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So hide a toy partly under a blanket and they may immediately pull the blanket away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You hide behind the couch and they may look toward where you disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These simple games are part of your baby’s growing understanding of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they may also make your life slightly more difficult because now hiding the remote under a cushion may no longer work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is catching on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separation Anxiety May Still Be Very Real<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You leave the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby cries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You try to go to the bathroom alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely unacceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this is your life right now, Mom, I know it can feel intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separation anxiety can remain noticeable during this stage as your baby’s awareness of you and your absence grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They know you are their safe person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also know you can walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What they do not fully understand is how long you will be gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try short separations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell your baby when you are leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Return calmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play games involving disappearing and coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to sneak away every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, your baby learns the pattern:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom comes back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Baby May Copy Everything<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This stage can make you very aware that somebody is watching you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may try to clap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may imitate you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make a sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may copy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babies learn so much through imitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to turn this into formal practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just let them be part of normal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clap during a song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make funny sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use gestures while talking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is learning what people do by watching the people they trust most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That includes you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby-Proofing Has Become Serious Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At ten months, the question is no longer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan my baby reach that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The safer question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat will happen when they figure out how?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because they probably will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secure unstable furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep medicines and cleaning products locked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move choking hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch cords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use appropriate gates where needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be especially careful around stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And remember that walkers with wheels are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics because of their injury risk. Stationary activity centers are a safer alternative if you choose to use that type of equipment. (healthychildren.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby becoming more mobile is exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also means their environment has to grow with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Not Rush Walking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is another milestone people love to ask about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs your baby walking yet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At ten months?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some babies may begin cruising while holding furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few may take early independent steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many will not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that is completely okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By one year, the CDC looks for pulling to stand and walking while holding onto furniture, rather than requiring independent walking. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So please do not feel like your ten-month-old is supposed to be walking across the living room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot of balance, strength, confidence, and coordination involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them build it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And You Still Do Not Need a Developmental Curriculum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your baby does not need ten new activities every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple is still enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put safe objects in a container and let your baby take them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roll a ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Play peekaboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stack a couple of blocks and let your baby knock them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk about what you see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give them safe floor time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ordinary play gives your baby opportunities to solve problems, practice movement, and communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are not supposed to spend the entire day asking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat milestone are we working on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you are simply playing with your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is valuable too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What If My Baby Was Born Early?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your baby was born more than three weeks prematurely, corrected age may still be important when you are thinking about milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC recommends using corrected age when following milestone checklists for babies born more than three weeks early. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk with your pediatrician about which age makes sense for your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please do not compare their development with another baby’s without considering the difference in their start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should You Ask Your Pediatrician?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anytime something is worrying you, Mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe your baby’s sitting or movement does not seem to be progressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they rarely respond to sounds or their name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they are not making many sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they seem to use one side differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they have stopped doing something they could previously do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC encourages parents to talk with their child’s doctor whenever milestones are not being met, skills are lost, or there are other developmental concerns. (cdc.gov<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to wait until the first birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to know whether your concern is officially a delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You simply need to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is what I have noticed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then you and your pediatrician can look at it together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Last Thing, Mom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ten months can feel like having a tiny explorer living in your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They want to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And somehow they know instantly when you are holding something much more interesting than the toy you gave them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be tempting to spend this stage waiting for the big milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first cruise along the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there is already so much happening before those moments arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby understands more of your words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are using their hands with more control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may move toward what they want instead of waiting for it to come to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They imitate you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They look for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They communicate without saying a sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is a lot of development for one little person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let them practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them wobble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them try again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby-proof the cabinets they are suddenly obsessed with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Answer the babbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when another parent tells you what their baby is already doing, try not to turn it into a measurement of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is not supposed to become someone else’s ten-month-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are busy becoming themselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What to Expect Ten months can feel like the age when your baby suddenly becomes very busy, Mom. They are not just sitting and watching anymore. They may be crawling, scooting, pulling themselves toward furniture, trying to stand, reaching for everything, and following you with their eyes like they need to know exactly where you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6634,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baby-milestones"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6633"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6633\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6635,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6633\/revisions\/6635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}