Month Eleven

Babies First Year: Month Eleven

How Baby Is Changing

Standing and cruising around the room by holding furniture keeps your little one very busy. Baby may even take a few steps on her own. Some babies like standing so much they refuse to sit down! This will wear off eventually. In the meantime, you may have to diaper your baby while she is standing, or keep a special toy just for diapering to get her to lie down. Do not let her stand in a high chair or grocery cart.

Your baby may be able to say several words, and understands many more. She learns new words by hearing you talk to her. Point out colors and objects to help her learn.

Your baby may recognize people, even if they change their hair or glasses or grow a mustache. Her memory for people is improving. She trusts and likes some people more than others. Don't be surprised if she is afraid of strangers.

By now, baby can make a tower out of two blocks, and understands some complicated ideas like "up and down" and "big and small." Toys like shape-sorters that let her fit small pieces into bigger ones are special favorites at this age.

Baby Wants You To Know

How I Grow

• I stand by myself for a moment or two!
• I hold a toy in one hand, and pull myself up to my feet with the other hand.
• I may even wave and turn around while standing, without falling down.
• I walk if you hold one or both of my hands.
• I hold a pencil or crayon, and I love to make marks.

How I Talk

• I know that words are used to identify things.
• I may use one word to mean a whole thought.
• I babble and mumble gibberish a lot.

How I Respond

• I copy everything I see, and then I do it my own way.
• I try to get your approval, and I hide when I know you're not pleased.
• I may test you to see what I can get away with.

How I Understand

• I see your expression and copy it. I'm learning from you!
• I try to bark or meow when I see a dog or cat.
• I am learning how people, animals and things work.
• I like to look at pictures in books and magazines.
• I know that tools will help me. For instance, I push a chair in front of me to steady myself while walking.

How I Feel

• I may cling to you, especially in new situations.
• I love to shake my head and to say "No," even when I mean "Yes."
• I may cry, scream and have tantrums if I don't get my way.
• I feel guilty when I do something wrong.

How You Can Help Me Learn

• Roll a ball on the floor for me to crawl after.
• Let me help you! Leave a dishrag or dustpan out so I can bring it to you.
• Help me practice turning pages of cloth or cardboard books. Soon I'll be able to do it alone.
• Let me hold cans and boxes of food at the grocery store. Show me the pictures, and tell me what they are.

Fun Activities

Here is a mirror game you can play with your baby to help him learn what he looks like.

How to play: Hold baby on a bathroom counter or dresser in front of a mirror. Stand behind him, and point to his reflection. Using your baby's name, say: "I see Johnny. Where is Johnny? Find Johnny. Look at Johnny." Encourage him to point to himself in the mirror by copying you: "Here's my nose. Where's Johnny's nose?" Do the same thing with toys and other objects. Pick them up one at a time, and move them behind his head. Bring them out into view on one side or the other -- he will love this! Name the objects and tell him something about each one, such as: "This is a ball, and it's round." Ask baby, "Where is the ball?" Encourage him to point to it in the mirror.

Feeding Baby

If your baby is very active, you may notice a slowing down of weight gain. That occurs because your baby is using more calories for her constant activity. The fact that she may be gaining less weight now doesn't mean she isn't healthy.

Worrying about what your baby eats or doesn't eat will only make both of you nervous. Don't expect her to clean her plate or eat "just one more" mouthful. Trust her to be the best judge of how much to eat.

As your baby moves around and explores, she is becoming more independent. She may insist on feeding herself. Or she may be a little scared by the new abilities, and cling to you at mealtimes. She may even refuse to hold a cup or spoon, and demand to be fed.

Whether your little one is a clinger or a self-feeder, try to be calm and patient. Patience will pay off in fewer feeding problems now and later.