11 Month Baby & Twin Milestones!

 

 

11 Month Baby Or Twin Milestones!

2-23-2011

 

 

What a fun time it is to be a mommy, and possibly an even more fun time being a baby, as now your little critter or critters,  are into absolutely everything.  Exploring the world around them with their eyes and hands.  Life has never been more exciting, and the world so large.  

 

They are only 1 month away now from their big day.  Their very 1st birthday.  Your once so small bundle(s) have come such a long way, and so have you.  You have survived newborn sleepless nights, starting solid foods, dealing with the pain of teething,  and baby proofing your home.

 

The 11th month will bring you all of the exciting moments and memories of the last month, with a few possible additions. 

 

 

11 month milestones:

(11 milestones for 11 fun-filled months!)

 

 

#1)  Baby’s  attention span grows larger then ever.

You and everything in your baby’s world has become more intriguing then ever before, and it shows.  Baby is expressive, reactive, and completely eager to play and to learn from you.  Their attention span has grown, and they are more interested in what is going on around them, then ever before! 

 

 If you have twins you may notice them actually starting to entertain each other more, at this point.  They will fight over toys and act out like any two siblings, but their connection may become more apparent at this time, and they will play together more then in prior months.  Singleton moms, you are still the main attraction, and any older siblings baby may have.  The 11th month is full of curiosity for baby!

 

 

#2)  The pincer grasp has been perfected.

Baby can now easily pick up small objects and finger foods with their pincer grasp.  (Their pointer finger and thumb grip.)  Be careful though, because they will be picking up more then only food to place in their mouths, so be sure to watch baby more carefully then ever before.

 

 

#3)  Baby will likely be able to stand by the end of this month.

Many babies are still not walking, but if your baby hasn’t yet stood on his or her own yet, you may notice this during the 11th month.  It’s an incredibly exciting feeling for you, and especially for your baby or babies. 

 

They feel such a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It shows in their face every time that they do it.  They smile and look as if they are shouting out, ‘Look at me, look at me!’  This is a good time to congratulate their new behavior, clap your hands, and make a fuss.  Baby is on her way!

 

 

#4)  Cruises furniture quickly, and can move to further away pieces of it.

Like the coffee table to the sofa, to the love seat, to the recliner.  They are all over the living room now.  Cruising has become a way of life for your little tyke.  If he or she isn’t walking, soon enough they surely will be.  Cruising helps develop their leg muscles and give them the confidence they need to take those first steps!

 

 

#5)  If you haven’t already, cow’s milk may start to be introduced slowly now.

Many doctors say to introduce milk to your infants, before the full switch-over that occurs to whole milk at 12 months of age.   YAHOO moms, and especially those with twins..you finally get to drop one of the biggest bills of early motherhood.  Buying formula.  Of course, you breastfeeding mamas have been saving for quite some time!

 

You start with an ounce of milk mixed with formula in their bottles, to make sure there is no ill reaction, then gradually increase.  By the time your little one(s) are a year old they will be weaned off the formula and ready for all cow’s milk.  That is a milestone many of us look forward to.  Of course, consult your Pediatrician before starting milk with your infant.

 

 

#6)  May point to things they want or find interesting.

You may see baby start to use their pointer finger in a seemingly appropriate way.  Yes, this can happen at around this time.  Baby may point to things that amuse them, frighten them, or seem interesting.  Like perhaps their reflection in a mirror, which at this time they may recognize to be themselves, and not just another baby stuck through the looking glass. 

 

Be prepared because soon enough that pointing will go along with the constant question of, ’what’s that?’  ‘what’s that?’  You not first time moms, know exactly what I mean.

 

 

#7)  Should be able to drink from a sippy cup with ease.

Doctors like children after the age of 12 months to drink from a sippy cup rather then a bottle, though all of my children were on the ‘boppy’ as I call it, for more then a year.  It is important if you haven’t been yet, to now start to encourage sippy cup drinking whenever possible.   

 

 

#8)  Say ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ in the right direction of the person.

Not all babies are saying this mama or dada at this point, but many now are, or will this month, and if they have been saying it, you may notice they truly do seem to know who is who now.  They may look at you smile and say, ‘mama’.  It is definitely a heart warming moment for any proud parent.

 

 

#9)  May be able to walk with one hand held.

Your big kid, getting bigger by the day, may able to walk on the side of you while holding one of your hands.  Again, not all babies will be able to accomplish this feat, but if your baby has a good sense of balance, go ahead and try it out.  It’s really quite adorable!

 

 

#10)  Drops objects so you can play ‘the game’ with her.

Babies at this age, love making mommy and daddy fetch things for them.  If bending over and sitting upright were a form of accepted exercise, we parents could say we work out every day!

 

You WILL find yourself bending over quite a lot to retrieve a toy or other object from the floor, while your baby or twins are in the highchair.  If you have twins it’s double the bending.  It can get exhausting, but to baby it’s quite amusing.  It’s no longer just ‘testing out gravity’. 

 

Now baby is actually playing a game with you, and you’re it!  You can see the expression on their face and in their eyes, when they drop something and look to you like, ‘Gonna get it now or what?’ 

 

Rest assured this will not last forever, and is honestly a great bonding game between the two of you.  Baby may giggle.  It’s quite cute.  Try to think of it as less of an annoyance, and more of having positive interaction with your baby(ies).

 

 

#11)  Walking, and if they are walking..watch out for climbing!

 Many babies at this age will take their first steps…not all, but many.  Be sure to keep the video camera charged at all times!  There may still be time left to go, but watch out, because it can happen in an instant, in which you never expected it.  The same day my Allie stood unassisted for the 1st time, a week+ ago, is the same day I got her 1st steps caught on tape, so you just never know.  They can surprise you!

 

If your child can already walk, you may notice this new feat developing, as simply walking alone becomes a tad boring.  Ok, it doesn’t become boring, but they do want to start stepping it up to a new level, and start trying their hand at climbing. 

 

Watch baby closely around low tables, couches, and stairways, of course.  You will soon have a little mountain climber on your hands, and you don’t want anybody getting hurt!

 

The 11th month has been an adventurous one to say the very least!  In only 1 week’s time my own twins will be moving on up to 12 months…(1 years old), which I cannot believe, but soon we’ll be there!  I have enjoyed spending this 1st incredible year with you all.  Many more fabulous years yet to come!

 

 ENJOY!