It’s almost time for your little one to celebrate their first birthday! Your 11-month old is growing and developing every day. You’re a great cheerleader for them, and you can help guide them every step of their journey. We hope that these nighttime movements will make them tired, allowing everyone to get more sleep. Below you’ll find more sleep tips, as well as information about your baby’s growth and health.
Baby milestones for 11-month olds
Nutrition for 11-month-old babies
At 11 months your baby will start showing more interest in food as they begin to eat more solids.
At this age, your child may be discovering some favorites and even eating for themselves. Continue to offer a spoon that is sized for little hands, a sippy-cup with water and introduce as many new foods at mealtimes as you can. Anyone for star fruit?
Your baby’s openness to new textures and tastes is at its peak when they are 11 months old. It’s important to take advantage of this before your child becomes an “independent” toddler. Now that your child is older, you may be able offer more family meals. A few bites from what everyone else is eating will make them feel included and encourage them to try new flavors. Be careful with the salt. Babies under one can’t handle large amounts of salt or sodium.
The AAP and La Leche League recommend the following feeding schedule and amounts for 11-month olds:
Solids: Available 3 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 staple for your 11-month old. Serving sizes for an 11 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 to 4 tablespoons
Shredded meat, eggs, yogurt, and soft-cooked plant proteins such as lentils: 2-3 tablespoons
Starches: 1/4 – 1/2 cup simple carbohydrates, such as pasta or mashed potatoes
You should also include early exposure to foods in the top eight categories of allergens that could be harmful (dairy products, eggs, nuts, treenuts, fish, shellfish and wheat), unless your pediatrician has already diagnosed an allergy. You can get more information from them.
Related: It’s okay if your child doesn’t crawl
Baby weight at 11 months
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) charts for weight and height are recommended for babies under 2 years old.
The WHO growth chart for babies aged 0-2 years is based on the standard of a breastfed infant. The WHO growth charts are based on the standard for a predominantly breastfed infant. 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 11-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 and CDC report:
A baby boy 11 months old in the 50th per centile weighs approximately 20 pounds 12 ounces (9.5 kilograms).
The 50th percentile weight for a 11-month old baby girl is 19 pounds, 4ounces (8.7 kg).
What factors affect a baby’s weight at 11 months?
The weight of your baby may depend on how much it eats, its assigned sex, and the level of activity.
At birth, male babies tend to be slightly heavier than female babies.
Your baby’s weight may be affected by the amount of food your baby consumes each day. At 11 months, many babies are still nursing or drinking formula up to six times a day.
Baby is working hard to stand up and cruise this month as he prepares for walking. Physical activity builds strong bones and muscles, so their level of activity may affect their weight.
Related: When will my child start walking? Experts say there are many factors that can influence a baby’s ability to walk.
Baby length for 11-months-olds
Since your baby turned six months old, growth has slowed. However, you can still expect to see your baby grow between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch (1 to two centimeters).
How old is the average 11 month-old child?
WHO and CDC report:
A baby boy 11 months old in the 50th centile measures 29 1/4 inches (74.5 cm).
A baby girl who is 11 months old and in the 50th per centile measures 28 1/2 inches (72.8 cm).
What factors affect the length of a baby aged 11 months?
Genetics may predetermine your baby’s future size (babies are often taller than their parents), but other factors such as physical activity, nutrition and sleep, along with overall health, can affect their monthly length. The gross motor skills that they are working on also contributes to healthy bones and muscles.
Related: Activities for an eleven-month-old baby: Promoting the development of your child
Growth charts and percentiles
At each check-up, your child’s doctor will plot their weight, height and head circumference onto their growth chart. They’ll also monitor their growth curve over time to see how it’s changed. You can use growth charts and percentiles to compare a baby’s development to other babies of the same age. But don’t get too caught up in the comparisons. All babies develop at different rates.
Have you received the current weight and height percentiles for your baby at his or her 9-month check-up? How to interpret these numbers: Say your baby’s birth weight is 60th percentile. This means that 40% babies of the age and gender are heavier, while 60% are lighter. AAP states that healthy babies may be in the 95th or 5th percentile. The doctors are only looking to see if your child’s growth is fairly steady.
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.
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.
Growth spurts
You might notice the next period of rapid growth closer to 12 months. It could occur earlier or later, depending on the baby. You may notice that your baby is fussier than usual or has a change in sleep patterns (more night-wakings) or is particularly hungry. A growth spurt (or teething!) could be the cause. ).
Most growth spurts last only a few days but can have lasting effects. They’ll pass soon, and they’re an indication of healthy development for your baby.
When should I be concerned about my baby’s size?
Your child’s doctor will use their growth chart to track your child’s progress. If they are concerned about your child growing, they will let you know.
Some parents worry about their child’s ability to walk by 11 months. Experts say that there is a range of normal walking. If your child is capable of bearing weight on his or her legs and is interested in moving (many will grab onto furniture for help, which they call ‘cruising’), you can be confident that their first steps will happen as soon as they become stronger.
Your baby’s growth can be measured by his or her sleep, feeding, and diaper output. Consult your doctor if you’re concerned about the feeding and sleeping habits of your child, or if he or she isn’t reaching most of his or her 11-month milestones.
Sleeping 11-month old baby
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that babies under 12 months need between 12 and 16 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. Your baby will probably need between 12 and 13 hours between naps and night sleep. At the very least, aim for 10 hours of sleep per night plus two naps throughout the day.
We’re betting on (or hoping for!) that your baby will be able to reach so many milestones in the next month. From walking readiness, to improved communication, and a stronger interest in food, we think (hope!) Your tot may be tired at night. If they seem to have a second wind after dinner, try to include more time outdoors in their schedule. Running around your backyard or going for a stroll can help balance energy levels and circadian rhythms.
How to sleep a baby at 11 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.
What is the average amount of sleep a baby needs at 11 months?
Sleep training
Sleep training, where you help your child self-soothe after they wake up at night, is a great way to get started.
Rachel Mitchell, a certified sleep consultant, and the founder of My Sweet Sleeper says that there are two different ways to determine whether your child is ready to begin sleep training.
- You are ready to start the process and you have time.
- You have created a solid foundation for your baby’s sleep.
Mitchell writes that “without first establishing healthy behaviors with your child, sleep training will be ineffective and may not withstand any future regressions or developmental leaps.”
She says that once you decide to proceed, you will want to conduct some research in order to find the best approach for your child.
There are many options, from gentle sleep training to crying-it-out. Mitchell suggests that you take a short quiz to find out your baby’s sleeping profile. You can also ask your child’s doctor for tips.
Sleep training does not have to be painful.
Diapering a 11-month-old
Your 11-month old is likely to use anywhere between 5 and 7 diapers per day, with at least one poop every day. Some will probably poop once every two days, while others may poop up to three times per day. The consistency of the poop is what counts. Poop should be soft, but formed. It can range in color from brown to green to yellow. If the poop is pellet-shaped, particularly hard, or runny it may be an indication of diarrhea or constipation. You can contact your child’s doctor if you are concerned.
Care for an 11-month old child
What you need to know about baths and safety for your growing baby.
Baths
Your baby will only need two or three baths a week, at most. A daily bath is not necessary because they don’t get dirty that often. If a nightly soak is part of your family’s bedtime ritual, keep it short to avoid drying out the skin.
Related: 14 safety tips to bathe your baby and children of all ages
Water safety
Even common household items that you would not think of as dangerous can be problematic with a mobile 11-month old, such as toilets and swimming pools. At this age, when your child is curious and interested in everything they see, even an inch of standing water can pose a risk. The sad truth is that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injuries among children aged 1 to 4 in the United States. Three children die every day. Here are some tips you should keep in mind.
Safety of water for babies and toddlers
Close toilet lids or bathroom doors when not in usage.
Close the pool gate and consider installing an alarm system or lock.
Avoid leaving your children unattended while they are in the bathtub
Do not leave the tub while it is being filled.
When swimming, swap out floaties or puddle-jumpers for U.S. Coast Guard-Approved lifejackets
When swimming, designate an adult to act as a guardian.
Only buy brightly colored suits for your child to make them easier to see underwater
Share these 5 water safety tips with your children’s caregivers to keep them safe this summer
Screen time for babies: Guidelines
We totally understand when it seems like the only thing you can do is turn on “Daniel Tiger”. AAP recommends that babies younger than 18 months avoid screens, except for video chats with family members or friends. Calling Grandma on FaceTime to FaceTime your toddler as you rush to prepare dinner? (I’ve been there.) It’s inevitable that things happen, and handing your phone over is sometimes the easiest way to maintain peace, for example, on a long plane ride or in a restaurant. What is the goal? Quality and quantity are equally important. You can begin to introduce high-quality shows or apps once your mini turns 18 month. Watch them with your child, or use them together. When you can, try to limit your child’s screen time to less than one hour a day. This is also true for preschoolers and toddlers.
Study finds that most kids under five are spending too much time on screens
Motherly’s note on self-care when caring for an 11-month old
You’re probably busy with your baby, who is getting more mobile and you have to keep them entertained (safely). Don’t forget to make time for things that will keep you healthy and happy. This is a sign to remind you to schedule an appointment with your doctor, call the therapist or make a date with someone you haven’t spoken to in years. Let’s break the cycle of moms putting their health last.
If you are struggling more than normal, postpartum depression may set in any time in the first year following birth. There are resources available. Talk to your primary doctor about additional mental health support. This could be medication, therapy, or a combination.