{"id":6636,"date":"2026-08-21T22:31:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T22:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/?p=6636"},"modified":"2026-08-21T22:32:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T22:32:24","slug":"11-month-old-baby-milestones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/11-month-old-baby-milestones\/","title":{"rendered":"11-Month-Old Baby Milestones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

Eleven months, Mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby\u2019s first birthday is almost here, and I know that can feel a little emotional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It probably does not seem that long ago that you were holding this tiny newborn, supporting their head with both hands, and wondering how such a small person could completely change your days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That same baby may be crawling across the room, pulling themselves up on your furniture, babbling loudly, reaching for exactly what they want, and following you everywhere they possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eleven months can feel like such an in-between stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is still very much your baby, but you can already see little pieces of toddlerhood appearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And definitely more determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also around this age that moms start hearing all kinds of questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre they walking yet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo they say Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre they waving?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre they standing alone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And before you know it, you are looking at your baby through a milestone checklist instead of simply noticing how much they have changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom, your eleven-month-old does not need to be doing everything another baby this age is doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CDC\u2019s milestone checklists move from 9 months to 1 year, so eleven months is very much a stage of building toward those first-birthday skills. Some may already be there. Others are still developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both can be part of normal development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Baby May Be Moving Everywhere Now<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Movement can become a huge part of your day at eleven months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your baby crawls, they may have become surprisingly fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You put them down beside you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You look away for what feels like two seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And suddenly they are halfway across the room investigating the one thing you forgot to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some babies may also be pulling themselves up using the couch, crib rail, coffee table, or basically anything sturdy enough to grab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watching them do this can be incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look very proud of themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then sometimes realize they have absolutely no idea how to get back down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That part is normal too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to pull up and learning to lower themselves safely are different skills, and your baby may need plenty of practice before both feel easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By one year, pulling to stand and walking while holding onto furniture are common CDC movement milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if your eleven-month-old is cruising along the couch already, wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they are just starting to pull up, that is okay too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, Your 11-Month-Old Does Not Have to Be Walking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the big one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the first birthday gets closer, walking suddenly starts feeling like some kind of deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some babies take their first independent steps before one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some do it around the first birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others need more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And even the CDC\u2019s one-year milestone list does not require independent walking. It focuses on skills such as pulling to stand and walking while holding onto furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if your baby is still crawling everywhere, do not look at another early walker and automatically think yours is behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is working on balance, strength, coordination, and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those skills do not all come together at the exact same age for every child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give them safe opportunities to stand, cruise, and move around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you do not need to rush them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first steps will still feel just as special whenever they happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

You may notice something else changing around eleven months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby\u2019s hands are getting incredibly capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few months ago, they may have grabbed food or toys with their whole hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now they might focus on one tiny piece of food and carefully pick it up between their thumb and pointer finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This more precise grasp is one of the movement skills the CDC looks for by one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Mom, watching it develop can be strangely fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby sees the tiny piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concentrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Looks very pleased with themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then possibly throws it onto the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that little action involves a lot of coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also notice your baby putting objects into containers, taking them back out, handing things to you, banging toys together, or becoming very interested in how everyday objects work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also why baby-proofing becomes even more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is now very good at finding tiny things you did not even notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Baby Probably Understands More Than They Can Say<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eleven months can be such an interesting language stage because your baby may understand quite a lot without being able to say much yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\u201cWhere is your 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 may crawl toward you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

For half a second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially if whatever they are holding is extremely interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is learning the meaning behind familiar words and routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By one year, the CDC looks for things like understanding \u201cno,\u201d waving goodbye, and using a special name such as Mama or Dada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your eleven-month-old may already do some of these things, or they may still be working toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that is why I do not want you worrying because another baby already says three words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language development starts long before clear words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watching your expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting sounds with people and objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Name the food on their tray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Point out the dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the same favorite book again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Your everyday conversations are already giving them language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those Babbling \u201cSpeeches\u201d Matter Too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may sound like they have an entire story to tell you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMamamama.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDadadada.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBabababa.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different tones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long pauses while they wait for your response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, you respond like you understood every word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That back-and-forth matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this stage, babbling is becoming increasingly speech-like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some babies may start using Mama or Dada with clear meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others still use those sounds as part of general babbling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to force it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your baby babbles, answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Then pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give them a chance to \u201ctalk\u201d again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are showing them that communication works both ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day, those little sound strings will become actual words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, the conversation itself matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Baby May Be Copying Everything You Do<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This can be one of the cutest parts of eleven months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They try to wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You clap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

You brush your hair, and suddenly your baby wants to use the brush too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You take a drink from a cup, and they watch very carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Your baby has been watching you for almost an entire year now, and they are beginning to use that information in their own play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to create complicated developmental activities around this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them be part of everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Sing songs with hand movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Hand them something safe and let them explore how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put a toy inside a container and let them take it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple play gives your baby plenty of opportunities to practice problem-solving, communication, movement, and social interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not have to make every moment educational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For your baby, ordinary life already is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They May Still Want Mama All the Time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your eleven-month-old suddenly seems very attached to you, you are not imagining it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You walk toward the door and they protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone unfamiliar tries to hold them and they immediately look for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You leave the room and suddenly there is a very unhappy baby behind you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom, I know that can feel exhausting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you just want to make coffee without someone crawling after you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this stronger attachment can be part of normal social and emotional development during the later months of the first year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby knows you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They understand that you can leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

That is why simple routines can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Come back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Over time, they learn the pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

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

And comforting your baby does not mean you are creating bad habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are helping them feel secure while their understanding of the world grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mealtime May Be Getting Much More Independent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your eleven-month-old may have strong opinions about feeding themselves now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You offer the spoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

You try to feed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They want the food in their own hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, somehow, half of dinner ends up on the tray, the floor, their clothes, and possibly in their hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is pretty normal at this age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is practicing far more than eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are using their fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working on coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring textures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how much pressure to use when they pick something up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying to drink from a cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developing independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue following your pediatrician\u2019s recommendations about safe food textures, nutrition, allergens, and choking prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And try not to measure the success of every meal by how much actually stayed on the plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the mess is part of the learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Home Needs to Keep Changing With Your Baby<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One thing about eleven months is that the baby-proofing you did a few months ago may suddenly not feel like enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby is taller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More mobile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much better at reaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And deeply interested in cabinets, drawers, cords, furniture, stairs, and anything else you hoped they would ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look around again from their level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure unstable furniture is secured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep medicines, cleaners, and small choking hazards out of reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful around stairs and elevated surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And remember that a baby who cannot reach something today may work it out tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The house did not become more dangerous overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby just became much more capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What If Your Baby Is Not Doing Everything Yet?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is where I want you to be gentle with yourself, Mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may not be walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe they do not wave consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe Mama and Dada are still mostly babble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe standing is still new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One missing skill does not tell you the entire story of your baby’s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at the bigger picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are they continuing to gain skills?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interact with you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicate in their own way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move more confidently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if something truly worries you, talk with your pediatrician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Bring up concerns if your baby seems to lose a skill they previously had, is not progressing in movement, seems not to respond to sounds or familiar people, or something about their development simply feels worth discussing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milestone checklists are there to help start those conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are not there to make you diagnose your baby yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if your baby was born prematurely, corrected age may still be important when thinking about development. Your pediatrician can help you understand which timeline makes sense for your baby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What to Expect Eleven months, Mom. Your baby\u2019s first birthday is almost here, and I know that can feel a little emotional. It probably does not seem that long ago that you were holding this tiny newborn, supporting their head with both hands, and wondering how such a small person could completely change your days. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6637,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6636","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\/6636","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=6636"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6638,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6636\/revisions\/6638"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybellababydeals.ca\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}