11-Month-Old Baby Milestones: A Guide to Your Baby’s Development

How much should an 11-month-old weigh and measure?

The first year of your baby’s life is arguably the hardest, between adapting to motherhood, tackling postpartum depression, getting the hang of breastfeeding and learning how to store breast milk, and getting used to your post-pregnancy body. But so much happens in that first year! At 11-months old, your baby is developing, learning, and growing quickly. So, what should you expect for 11-month-old babies' development? What are some of the weight and height milestones your 11-month-old baby should be hitting?

The average weight for an 11-month-old baby is 20.8 pounds for boys and 19.2 pounds for girls. Meanwhile, the average height registers in around 29.3 inches for boys and 28.7 inches for girls. It’s important to note, though, that all babies are different, and their birth weight may play a part in how much they weigh or measure around the 11-month mark.

On average, most babies put on about 1-3 ounces a week and gain about half an inch in height every month leading up to the 11th month. It's normal for your baby’s weight and measurements to slow once they become more mobile. If you have any concerns regarding your baby’s growth rate or weight, seek out the advice of your doctor or pediatrician. They know you and your situation best and will be able to give you accurate advice or recommendations, or conduct further testing if necessary.

What can babies do at 11 months?

At 11 months, movement tends to vary. It’s likely that your 11-month-old baby is cruising around, attempting to walk, or maybe even already walking — and as they become more mobile, they may begin to look more toddler-like, losing those chubby baby cheeks (known as Bichat’s fat pad or buccal fat pad) and layers. Muscle begins to replace fat as your little one develops the necessary motor skills and movements to get around.

An 11-month-old baby is also becoming more and more curious about the world around him or her. As exploration starts, your baby will become more adventurous and confident in his or her movements. This is where childproofing is necessary. At this age, babies will grab at drawers or slide over to dig through shelves. You’ll want to baby proof your home by eliminating hazards such as open outlets, sharp corners, and easy access to dangerous items, as well as keep a close eye on them so they don’t scoot out of your sight.

But let’s dive into the specifics regarding your baby’s movement development.

11-month-old milestone: movement

Your 11-month-old baby is moving more, and thus burning more calories than ever before. This is why you may see a change in his or her body composition, as well as a slowing of the overall growth and weight gain.

It’s common to see children starting to attempt to stand or walk at this age. It’s likely your baby’s first steps will consist of her or his toes pointing outward, as the ligaments at the hips haven’t tightened like an adult's quite yet. However, you can expect this physical piece to fix itself within a few months after learning to walk.

In summary, your 11-month-old baby will likely be crawling, scooting, pointing, waving, grabbing, rolling, and throwing objects.

Motor skills in 11-month-old babies

Exploring allows your little one to learn. As he or she gains movement, motor skills and senses begin to improve. Your baby may point at objects, stack objects, and generally get into all kinds of nooks and crannies. His or her balance, hand-eye coordination, and strength will see vast gains that will continue for the foreseeable future.

Cognitive development

While exploring is great, you may begin to see your child using objects in the way that they were intended. For instance, instead of picking up blocks and attempting to put them in his or her mouth, he or she may actually stack them!

Babies of this age can also see a variety of colors now, and they’ve probably shown a preference for certain textures or tastes, as well. The personality is starting to shine through. You may notice it through dancing, mimicking of sounds or animals, and attempts at singing.

Further, they're beginning to understand more and more, such as attaching meaning to phrases or words. They likely know what ‘no’ and ‘bye’ mean. They may even get upset with the ‘bye’ word, especially when separated from a parent.

Communication skills

Your 11-month old baby is also starting to develop listening and comprehension skills, as briefly mentioned earlier, and should be able to follow simple instructions, such as waving or pointing at objects. He or she may attempt to mimic words or phrases and be getting close to understandable sounds. It's also common for babies of this age to hold their hands in front of their faces and study their fingers for long periods of time (hand regard). Common words at this age include ‘no,’ ‘mama,’ and ‘dada.’ Every day, you'll likely notice improvements in your baby's language and comprehension skills. Constant exposure and encouraging is key to continue this development.

How to help your 11-month-old develop further

In order to ensure your baby hits those 11-month milestones, it's important for you to instil confidence in him or her. It's easy to encourage babies, and simple things like cheering them on in their walking attempts and providing encouragement when they communicate correctly go a long way.

It also helps to include games and activities that further your child’s development, opportunities, and experiences. New stimuli offer the most to your baby at this age. Plan situations for him or her to be exposed to a new environment or new sights and sounds. Children’s museums often offer different textures and stimuli to further the growth. And remember: playtime is of utmost importance, as it encourages motor skill development, cognitive development, and communication.

Remember: each child develops differently

It's always important to remember that each baby is unique and develops differently. If your 11-month-old isn't yet sitting up or attempting to crawl, or is lacking responses to your communication and interaction attempts, then it may be cause for concern. And if this is the case, you should speak to your doctor. But if your baby is more or less on track with developmental milestones, just be patient.

Babies stop breastfeeding at different times, and they learn to walk and talk at varying times. If your 11-month-old baby isn’t walking yet, it’s not a reason to panic. Let him or her go at their own pace. The best you can do, as a parent, is encourage your child to learn and grow at every opportunity granted, as well as enjoy these precious moments. Those first steps are memories you will cherish for the rest of your life.