Your Baby's 10th Month

Signaling

It will probably be another month or two before you hear Baby's first real word, but even now he is communicating with you all the time. You two can teach each other signals to communicate his needs.

If he is in the high chair and wants to get out, for example, teach him to hold up his arms as a sign. Of course, keep exposing him to language by explaining to him what he is telling you. "Oh, are you done? You want to get out of the high chair? You want to get down?"

Another popular signal is a simple bye-bye wave. When Baby is separating from you, give a wave and tell him that you're leaving and will see him later. In the beginning, Baby may wave after the fact, showing that he is absorbing the information and practicing. In time, he'll wave right back to you.

More Development Help

As you're considering your child's development, keep in mind that all babies are unique. Whether your baby reaches milestones early or late, she has her own developmental path to follow. The dividing lines between these months are very fuzzy. If you have any concerns or questions about your baby's development, please check with her healthcare provider.

• Use our Development Tracker to check off Baby's 8 to 12 month milestones.
• What's the most common medical concern for babies this age? Check it out!

Now...Let's Take a Closer Look at Each Week

• Week 40: Following Your Gaze
• Week 41: Using Tools
• Week 42: Pairing Objects with Actions
• Week 43: Demystifying Separation Anxiety

Remember what was happening last month or learn what to expect in Baby's 11th month.