Infant Development: Cruising, First Words, and Your 10 to 12 Month Old

How is it possible that your precious child is already a year old? Doesn’t it seem like they were born just yesterday?

The 12-month mark will be here before you know it. And between the ages of 10 and 12 months, your baby’s curiosity is expanding at a rapid pace.

Around their first birthday, they’ll likely say their very first word! You’ll melt at the cuteness when your baby says “dada” or “mama” for the first time. And soon the baby babbling will transform into even more real words you can recognize.

With this exciting stage comes crawling, standing, and eventually… walking! Your baby’s newfound independence is sure to keep you on your toes.  

You’ll watch your little one learn, grow, and change every single day!

Infant Development: Your Baby From 10⁠ to 12 Months

Important language and movement milestones occur between the ages of 10 and 12 months, and they’re oh so much fun to enjoy with your child!

Crawling, Cruising, Walking

All babies develop, grow, and reach milestones at their own pace. But it’s natural to wonder when your child may start to crawl. Typically babies learn to crawl between 7 and 10 months old.(2) The more your child can move around, the more they’ll want to explore on their own. Rolling, scooting, creeping on their belly or full on crawling—your little one will be learning, growing, and changing every single day. And it’s so much fun to watch!

At every chance your child gets, they’ll be showing off new skills and interacting with the wonderful world around them. Your child may enjoy “cruising” or walking around without adult help while holding onto furniture for support. Typically by 10 months, your baby will be able to walk slowly while holding your hands. Around 11 months, they’ll be standing up by themselves, climbing up stairs, and cruising the living room. And they may even take their first unsupported steps by their first birthday!(3)
 

Baby’s First Words! How to Communicate With Your 10- to 12-Month-Old

Every child will say their first word in their own time. “Mama” or “dada” may become part of their vocabulary by the time they’re 10 months old. And one additional word may be in the mix by 11 months.(4) By their first birthday, two other words besides “mama” and “dad” could be in your child’s vocabulary. And how exciting that will be!(4) Whether it’s “bus,” “ball,” “hi,” or “dog,” hearing your child say their first word will be an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Your 10- to 12-month-old will start to understand short phrases like “hand me the toy” and wave when you say “bye bye!”(1) Short, “baby talk” sentences may creep into your child’s vocabulary. Each day brings a new way to interact with the world, as shaking their head “no” or asking for something by gesturing or pointing becomes the norm.

Play a Game

“Copycat” is a great game to play with your child to encourage the development of their social skills and ability to mimic others.(5) To play, sit across from your child and show them something they can easily copy, like covering their eyes, sticking out their tongue, or scrunching up their nose. Offer praise when they copy your gesture—you’ll both be sure to end up in fits of giggles by the game’s end!

Infant Development: Milestones From 10 to 12 Months

There are a few important milestones to watch out for at this age, though please remember every child develops at his or her own pace! Here are some things your child will likely do within this age range:

Social/Emotional Checklist(8):

• May display shyness , nervousness, or fear with strangers

• Shows facial expressions (happy, sad, surprised, angry)

• Has a reaction when you leave (cries, reaches for you, or simply looks)

• When you call their name, looks to you

• Smiles and laughs during peek-a-boo

• Enjoys games like pat-a-cake or copycat

Language/Communication Checklist(6):

• Does simple gestures (shakes head “no” or waves)

• Follows simple verbal requests or instructions

• Imitates the words you say

• Changes tone when making sounds to imitate speech

• Can say “mama” or “dada” and exclamations like “oh no!”

Movement and Physical Development Checklist(6):

• Sits without assistance

• Can pull himself up to stand and walk by holding on to furniture (“cruising”)

• May take a couple of steps without holding on

• May stand without support

• By 12 months, may take first unsupported steps

• Can use thumb and pointer finger to pick things up (begins to finger-feed themselves)

• Passes things from one hand to the other

• Points and pokes with pointer finger

• Copies gestures

Cognitive Checklist(6):

• Is able to put things in and take things out of a container

• Locates hidden objects easily

• Can identify objects when named (8)

• Drops or places things without assistance

• Explores objects by shaking, throwing or banging (especially by banging two things together)

• Imitates you (may “talk” on the phone like you do, or brush their hair)

What You Can Do at This Stage to Encourage Healthy Development in Your 10- to 12-Month-Old

Model Healthy Self-Expression

Being a child can be frustrating. Babies and children don’t have access to the language they need to express themselves. And because they’re still learning, they often don’t understand what it is they’re experiencing when they feel big emotions. Your baby might display frustration or the desire to gain control of a situation by throwing things or screaming. If your baby throws a toy out of frustration, remain calm. Say, “You’re frustrated. Let’s try again together.” Then demonstrate what they need to do to succeed. Afterward, give them the chance to try again. You might say, “The triangle block goes here. Now, why don’t you try?” 

Keep Reading and Singing

By this age, books with textures, flaps, activities or other interactive features will captivate your baby’s attention. Keep age-appropriate books nearby so your baby can pick them up and interact with them even if you’re not reading aloud. It’s likely your baby will enjoy music at this age and move and groove to certain tunes. When you encourage humming and sing to your child, you’re stimulating them while also helping develop their language, motor skills, and rhythmic capabilities.(9)

Initiate Conversations

Even if your baby hasn’t yet said her first word, encouraging conversation and pausing for her to respond is still helpful and promotes the development of healthy language and communication skills. If your child says, “baba” and points to a bottle, you can say, “Yes, you want the bottle.” If she points to a dog while you’re reading a picture book, you could say, “You found the dog. What noise does a dog make?” Pause, giving your baby a chance to respond. (Even if it’s just with a sound.) Then offer the correct answer to your question. (“Woof!”) Continue to ask your baby questions throughout the day about her environment. You don’t have to limit yourself to yes or no questions! Even though you might want an adult to talk to by the end of the day, engaging with your baby in this way helps boost her development.(6)

Encourage Curiosity

Continue to encourage your child’s curiosity. Maybe they’re curious about the zipper on your coat, the bubbles at the park, or the colorful blocks they have at home. Teaching your child to stack blocks or sort toys by color and shape helps build their motor, concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills.(9)

Don’t have a 1-year-old yet? Check out the other blogs in the infant development series for more information on your baby’s development and how to help them grow and learn! For more info on newborns, click here . For 7- 9-month-olds, click here .

References 

1. (2019, July). Learning, Play, and Your 8- to 12- Month-Old. Kids Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/learn812m.html

2. (2020, March). When Do Babies Start Crawling? Pamperse. https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/development/article/when-do-babies-crawl

3. (2021, March). When Does a Baby Start Walking? Grow by WebMD https://www.webmd.com/baby/when-does-a-baby-start-walking

4. Ages 8 to 12 Months—5 Months of Magical Milestones. Similac. https://www.similac.com/baby-feeding/milestones-development/8-9-10-11-12-month-old.html

5. (2021, September). 9 Fun Activities for 10-Month-Old Babies. Peanut. https://www.peanut-app.io/blog/activities-for-10-month-old

6. (2020, June). Infant development: Milestones from 10 to 12 months. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-development/art-20047380

7. (2022, March). Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-9mo.html

8. (2022, March). Important Milestones: Your Child By One Year. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-1yr.html

9. At 8 – 12 months your baby should… Healthy Children. https://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/baby/Pages/default.aspx

10. (2020, October). 10-Month-Old Baby Activities: 8 Things to Do With Your Child. Flo Health.  https://flo.health/being-a-mom/your-baby/growth-and-development/activities-for-a-10-month-old-baby

Infant Development: 7 to 9 Month Old Milestones and How to Support Your Child's Development

And just like that, your baby is 7 months old and already more than halfway to his first birthday! Gone are the days where you could introduce him to strangers without much of a fuss—you may find he’s clingier than you’re used to and doesn’t like to be separated from you. 7 months also marks a more mobile and inquisitive time—say goodbye to letting him play quietly in one spot while you go about your day. Baby proofing the house becomes a must at this stage if you haven’t already. Pro tip: get on your hands and knees to see things from the baby’s vantage point to make your home as safe as possible for your little one.

Infant Development: Your Baby From 7⁠ to ⁠9 Months

Fostering an environment that encourages safe, age-appropriate learning and play is vital for your infant’s development. 

The Joys of Exploration (and How to Do It Safely!)

Baby is on the move! Around this age, they might scoot, crawl, or roll to get from point A to point B and it will be fun to witness. Make sure to babyproof sharp corners and cabinets within reach (especially ones with toxic cleaners or other chemicals), secure furniture, cover electrical outlets, and use a baby gate to block off stairs.

At this age, your baby will sit on their own, reach for toys (and other objects they shouldn’t grab, like your dangly earrings or the kitty cat’s tail!) and want to explore the world. All things colorful and textured will capture their attention as their eyesight continues to improve. 

Around 8 months old, your baby will start to comprehend object permanence—meaning if you hide a toy under a blanket, he will know to look for it. He may even try to pull the toy out of its hiding place! Another exciting thing to look out for is when baby passes a toy from one hand to the other. What a beautiful display of hand-eye coordination! Make sure to not leave small objects around as baby’s ability to pick them up and put them in his mouth is improving. 

Is It Normal for My Baby to Cry Around Strangers?

Your in-laws or beloved babysitter used to come over all the time with no protests from your infant. But now your 7-month-old cries and screams when you try to do the hand off—and you’re starting to wonder if date night will ever be possible again.  

Sound familiar? 

Around this time, your baby may start to display anxiety or wariness of strangers. As distressing as this is (for both you and baby,) this is actually a normal part of their development! 

You may be wondering, but why now? 

Because your 7-month-old is now able to recognize faces. And they strongly prefer their parents’ or caregivers’ faces over anyone else’s. 

Anxiety around strangers is common and expected in children this age. (It’s common through age 2!) This is not a sign of emotional issues. It’s part of your child’s cognitive development—and a normal part, at that! 

Here are some tips for dealing with stranger anxiety:

• Allow your baby to meet strangers in a safe and familiar environment, such as your own home. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure.

• Hold and comfort your baby when introducing them to someone new.

• Act friendly and calm. This sends a message to your baby that the person they’re meeting is safe and trustworthy.

• Distance yourself temporarily from a visitor if your baby becomes upset around them. Comfort and soothe your baby and when they’ve calmed down, you can try the introduction again by engaging in an activity together.

• If you’re going somewhere unfamiliar where you’ll be around a lot of new people, bring a transitional object such as a favorite toy or blanket to offer extra comfort.

Infant Development: Milestones From 7 to 9 Months

According to the CDC, there are a few milestones to watch out for at this age: 

Social/Emotional Checklist:

• May display anxiety or fear around strangers and be clingy with adults they know

• Has favorite toys

Language/Communication Checklist:

• Understands what the word “no” means

• Babbles with varying sounds

• Points to things

• Copies the gestures or sounds others’ make

Movement and Physical Development Checklist:

• Stands up by themselves while holding on to something

• Pulls themselves up to stand

• Sits down by themselves without support

• Crawls

Cognitive Checklist:

• Able to track an object

• After seeing you hide something, looks for it

• Plays peek-a-boo

• Can transfer an object from one hand to the other

• Picks things up between index finger and thumb

What You Can Do to Encourage Healthy Development in Your 7 to 9-Month-Old

Encourage Crawling

Play and movement continues to be vital for your baby’s development. Continue to do supervised tummy time, and position toys out of reach so he’s encouraged to army crawl or creep toward them. 

Babyproof Your Home

Children are naturally curious, and as your child becomes more mobile, it’s important to keep him safe. You’ll want to encourage exploration in an environment that is properly babyproofed. He’ll be tempted to explore and get into just about everything, so creating a safe environment free from choking hazards and other dangers is key. 

Explore Cause and Effect

Your baby’s confidence will grow as he discovers he has an influence on his environment. Build a short tower of blocks and then push it over. Play with toys together to show your baby that his actions can cause a reaction. 

Read Often

Reading aloud for a few minutes every day is an effective way to positively influence your baby’s language development. Use sound effects, make facial expressions, and read from colorful picture books to keep your child engaged. 

Keep Talking

Narrate parts of your day to your baby! Say something and then give him time to respond by repeating sounds. Ask him questions. Even though he isn’t using words to respond back to you, the imitation of a back-and-forth conversation is crucial for his language development.

Don’t have a 7-month-old yet? Don’t miss the post on infants from 0 to 6 months!  

 

References

1. (2021, October). Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-9mo.html

2. Bielecki, C. (2019, October). Baby Growth and Development: 4-7 Month Milestones. Parents. https://www.parents.com/baby/development/growth/4-7month-milestones/?slide=slide_596033b9-b18b-4905-aa79-c02590b1ab64#slide_596033b9-b18b-4905-aa79-c02590b1ab64

3. Parents’ Guide to Crawling. Pathways.org. https://pathways.org/watch/parents-guide-to-crawling/

4. (2020, June). Infant development: Milestones From 7 to 9 Months. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-development/art-20047086

5. Bowers, E. (2014, July). 10 Ways to promote baby development. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/your-developing-baby/ways-to-promote-baby-development/