Every baby moving toward toddlerhood develops at a slightly different pace. What babies between the ages of 8 months and 1 year share are developmental mile markers that each will reach, sooner or later. Hold on tight, parents, and enjoy the ride!
Feeding schedule at ages 8 to 9 months: At 8 to 9 months of age, your baby will likely be drinking 7 to 8 fl oz of formula or breastmilk, 3 to 4 times a day.
Feeding schedule at ages 9 to 12 months: Between 9 and 12 months, your baby will likely be drinking 7 to 8 fl oz of formula or breastmilk, 3 times a day
Generally, at 8 months, your little one is starting to crawl, cruise, and experiment with all-new ways to explore the world around her.
She’s on a roll. By the end of this month, she will likely be able to:
Fine-tuning fine-motor skills. Support your baby’s fine-motor skills by:
Safety tip: Make sure baby’s crib mattress is in the lowest setting once she can pull up to stand.
For a good night’s sleep, create a routine. Now is a great time to create regular bedtime rituals. A soothing activity that lasts 10 to 30 minutes, such as reading a picture book or doing quiet activities together, is ideal. This will help your baby look forward to bedtime and find it easier to adjust when you finally leave the room.
At this age, your baby might be developing the ability to grab anything within reach. She might be able to say “mama,” too, although it’s completely normal for babies to go months longer before they start saying recognizable words.
All babies develop at different rates. In general, by the end of your baby's ninth month, she will likely be able to:
Your baby has learned so much during the past 8 months. Here are some simple ways to help continue to build her cognitive skills:
At 10 months, babies are typically interacting more with people and showing off new skills at every chance. Help your baby adapt to her expanding world by reciting nursery rhymes, singing songs, and taking her to new places for the first time.
All babies develop at different rates. In general, by the end of month 10, your baby will likely be able to:
It’s never too early to inspire your baby’s creativity. Here are fun, simple ideas to spark her imagination:
Your baby might be more active than ever and begin to explore her surroundings more. Whether she’s cruising around the living room furniture, standing on her own, or climbing up (but not down) the stairs, consider taking new steps to make your home safe from her curious roaming.
All babies develop at different rates, so don’t worry if your baby does something later or earlier than other children. In general, by the end of her eleventh month, your baby will be able to:
Eleven months is a great age to nurture your baby’s growing brain and developing hand-eye coordination with these activities:
It’s a good idea to install safety gates or other barriers at the top and bottom of stairs. Here are some other tips to help keep your baby safe:
Your baby is developing a personality all her own, and it shows. She’s about to start the physical changes of leaping into toddlerhood, so it’s time to prepare for the next growth spurt.
You’ve both come so far in the first year, and your baby will continue to develop at her own pace. Generally, by the end of month 12, your little one will be able to:
Help keep your baby’s brain growing through play in social settings and during your individual time with her.
If your 1-year-old is still on the bottle, these tips could help her transition to a sippy cup:
This also might be a good time to add in a toddler drink, like Go & Grow by Similac®. It’s designed to help balance a toddler’s diet and support brain, eye, and physical development from ages 12 to 36 months.
Join Similac® StrongMoms® Rewards for up to $400* in benefits and support throughout your journey.
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