Your baby’s personality is developing every day. At 10 months, they are becoming their own individual. You may find it hard to believe that they were just a newborn a few months ago. As you near your baby’s 1st birthday, the days may seem busier than ever. It’s difficult to keep a 10-month-old who is energetic entertained, well-fed, and rested day after day. It’s important to schedule downtime for both you and your baby during the day. This can include reading, listening softly to music or just cuddling. It will show your child that rest is as important as playing. What else should you know about the health and development of your baby this month?
Baby milestones at 10 months old
Baby nutrition for 10 month-olds
Is feeding becoming more difficult? You’re little one is accustomed to taking in everything around them, so they may get distracted when breastfeeding or drinking a bottle. If you can, feed your child in a quiet, dark environment away from distractions. We know that’s not always feasible, so it may be necessary to think outside the box to keep your child engaged. You can feed them while in a baby carrier or as you walk around the room.
Even though solids have become more important in their lives, breast milk and formula are still vital to their development.
The AAP recommends that breastfeeding be extended for at least 2 years. Here’s how you can make it happen
The AAP and La Leche League recommend feeding schedules and amounts for 10 month-olds.
Solids: Offerned 2 times daily or at mealtimes with the family
Breast milk: 8 ounces per 4 to 5 hours
Formula: 7 to eight ounces every five to six hours
Solids are a must for your 10-month-old. Serving sizes for a 10-month-old baby are as follows:
Mix 5 to 8 teaspoons of infant cereal (single-grain) with breast milk or formula.
Fruits: 2 – 4 tablespoons
Vegetables: 2-3 tablespoons
Shredded meat, eggs, yogurt, and soft-cooked plant proteins such as lentils : 2 to 3 tablespoons
Starches: 1/4 – 1/2 cup simple carbohydrates, such as pasta or mashed potatoes
Learn more about the 10-month-old feeding schedule and expert advice
Self-feeding
Your baby will be working to master the pincer grip at 10 months. This is the first step in holding a pencil. You may be able for them to feed themselves little bits of food. It’s a good idea to practice their developing fine motor skills with dry cereal pieces, peas and berries. Self-feeding also fosters independence. You can set your child up for success with self-feeding sippy cups and spoons that are specially designed to let them do mealtime on their own. They’re growing so fast!
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Baby weight at 10 months old
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) charts for weight and height are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The WHO growth chart for babies aged 0-2 years is based on the standard of a breastfed infant. The WHO growth charts, according to the organization reflect the growth patterns of children who have been exclusively breastfed for a minimum of 4 months and are still breastfeeding 12 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers and babies continue to breastfeed at least for two years.
What is the average weight of a 10-month-old child?
Your baby’s weight should triple by their first birthday. Although their weight gain has slowed compared to the first six months, they still should gain a few pounds this month.
WHO:
A baby boy 10 months old in the 50th per centile weighs approximately 20 pounds, 3 ounces.
A baby girl 10 months old in the 50th per centile weighs 18 pounds 11 ounces (8 kilograms).
What factors affect a baby’s weight at 10 months?
The weight of your baby may depend on how much it eats, its assigned sex or activity level.
At birth, male babies are slightly heavier than their female counterparts.
Weight gain can be affected by the amount of food your baby eats each day. At 10 months, many babies are still nursing or drinking formula up to 4 times a day.
Activity level: The baby is gaining weight on their legs in preparation for walking. Physical activity can affect their weight as it helps to build strong bones and muscles.
Related: When will my child start walking? Experts say there are many factors that can influence a baby’s ability to walk.
Babys 10 months old are measured by their length
You can expect to see your baby grow between 1/2 and 3/4 inch (1 and 2 centimeters).
How old is the average 10 month-old child?
WHO:
The 50th percentile for a 10-month-old boy is 28 3/4 inches (73.3 cm).
A baby girl 10 months old in the 50th per centile is 28 inches (71.5 cm).
What factors affect the length of a baby 10 months old?
Baby’s height is similar to their parents, but other factors can also affect their growth, such as physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. The gross motor skills that they are developing at this age contribute to the strength of their bones and muscles.
Related: Activities for 10-month-olds: Promoting baby’s growth
Growth charts and percentiles
Your child’s doctor will carefully chart their weight, height and head circumference in their growth chart. They’ll also track along their unique growth curve over time to get a complete picture of your child’s growth. Growth charts can be useful in comparing a baby’s development to other babies of the same age.
You probably got the updated height and weight centiles if you saw your baby’s chart at his or her 9-month check-up. Say your baby’s height and weight are in the 80th per centile. This means that 20% of babies the same age, gender and weight weigh more and 80% of them weigh less. AAP states that healthy babies may be in the 5th or 95th percentile. It’s about the child’s growth pattern remaining consistent.
Weight-for-length charts for girls from birth to 24 months. Girls birth to 24 months, weight-for-length.WHO Growth Charts, courtesy of CDC. Weight-for-length for girls birth to 24 month.
Weight-for-length charts for boys from birth to 24 months, courtesy of CDC. Boys birth to 24 months, weight-for-length.WHO Growth Charts, courtesy of CDC. Weight-for-length for boys from birth to 24 month.
Growth spurts
In general, babies do not experience a major growth spurt until around 12 months. Every baby is unique, so if you feel like your child is fussier, has a change in sleep patterns, or is more hungry than usual, it could be a sign of a growth spurt. Growth spurts can last up to a few days.
When should I be concerned about my baby’s size?
Your child’s pediatrician plots data at every check-up and checks the growth curve for the overall pattern. You shouldn’t put too much weight on those percentiles. They can make you feel as if you are comparing the size of your child to that of other babies. All babies grow at different rates.
It’s important to know if your baby has moved up or down significantly in percentile. Your doctor will let you know if they are concerned about the development of your baby at 10 months.
Feeding, sleep, and diaper output all indicate your child’s development, just as the milestones do. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about the feeding and sleeping habits of your child, or if it is not nearing their 10-month milestones.
Sleeping 10 month-old babies
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), babies under one should sleep 12-16 hours per day. For a baby of 10 months, this might mean 11-12 hours of sleep at night and 4-5 hours of naptime, split into two naps.
How baby sleeps at 10 months.
You may find that your baby takes two naps a day
Your baby may not be waking up at night anymore
Your baby can be awake from 2.5 to 3.5 hour periods.
During this stage it’s important to consider the wake window strategically, since your baby’s will be even longer. The ideal wake time is around 2.5 hours in the morning, and 3.5 hours at night. This will help your baby develop a regular sleeping pattern, and allow him to sleep longer at night. It’s worth it to get your child on a sleep schedule.
Learn more about how much sleep a baby needs at 10 months.
Diapering an 8-month-old
Your baby will use between 5 and 7 diapers per day at 10 months. They may also have one or two poopings each day. Keep an eye on the consistency of your child’s stool if you feel like they are pooping frequently. Does it seem particularly runny, watery or streaked? It could be diarrhea.
Could it be something they ate, for example? Do they have teething problems? The excess saliva associated with teething may cause the baby’s poop be more runny. This could be due to stomach bugs like Shigella or norovirus. You should contact your child’s doctor if you are concerned. Diarrhea can cause dehydration.
If your child’s poop looks solid or like a pellet, this could indicate constipation. Just to be sure, check with your pediatrician.
How to care for a 10 month old
The next time your baby will be checked out by a pediatrician is when they are 12 months old. Write down any questions that you don’t have an urgent need to ask. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to call them. What you need to know about baths and safety for your baby.
Baths
Do you find that your 10-month old suddenly dislikes baths? You’re not the only one if your 10-month-old has suddenly turned into a water-hater. It turns out that a sudden dislike of baths in babies is quite common. This may be due to the need for control or independence, or to sensory overload or a negative past experience. As every child is unique, there’s no single tip that will make your baby love baths again. Here are some ideas to get them back in the water.
How to help your kid overcome a fear of the bath:
For a little while, skip the tub and opt for a sink or sponge bath instead
Rotate some toys. Kitchen measuring cups, wood spoons or ladles all can be used to create a fun “bath broth”
Hop in together. If your baby needs some encouragement to get into the bath, a mama-baby tub might be the perfect solution.
Work it into a ritual. Include infant massage and soft music, lighting and lighting in the bath. Then read a story afterward.
Consider infant swimming lessons. You can encourage your child to enjoy being in the water. This will hopefully help her overcome her fear of the bathtub.
Rashes
Rashes, such as eczema or diaper rash can appear out of the blue. They may also be caused by a viral infection. If your baby’s skin is red, bumpy or itchy, you should investigate the cause.
A rash can be a situational rash. For example, diaper rash and heat rash are caused by blocked sweat glands in babies.
Eczema can be triggered by certain factors, including dry air or cold temperatures, as well as sweating and excessive heat.
Viral rashes such as roseola, hand, foot, and mouth disease or strep throat can appear with other symptoms like a fever or cold. Ask your pediatrician if you notice any new rashes on your child or if they appear before, during, or after a high fever.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is common in infants between the ages of 10 and 18 months. It’s a normal part of their development. AAP says that it usually begins when a child understands the permanence of objects.
You can reassure your child that you will be back if they start to cry when you leave or walk away. Give them some extra time for them to get used to the new environment. AAP states that “leaving can be more difficult if your baby is tired, hungry or unwell.” The AAP suggests keeping transitions brief and routine. Separation anxiety can affect parents too, but it’s normal and will get easier over time.
Motherly’s note on self-care when caring for a baby under 10 months.
Your 10 month old is developing into a person with thoughts, feelings, and (surprisingly strong!) opinions of their own. opinions. There will be many opportunities in the near future to provide support for managing strong emotions and feelings. But don’t forget your own. You may not have time to relax or recharge yourself (having a baby is hard!). You can use your support network to carve out a few moments for yourself. You could go for a morning walk with a cup of coffee, or journal in the morning with your coffee. Or you might enjoy a night with a friend. If you are struggling to get through the day, or you can barely make it to bedtime, talk to your primary doctor about additional mental health support. This could be medication, therapy, or a combination. There are resources available for postpartum depression, which can occur anytime within the first year of childbirth.