Your baby: Month 10
(iStockphoto.com)
What's the baby up to?
Growth points
Does your baby love chatting up the grannies in the supermarket? Emotional and social growth during
the first year of life is fascinating. As your baby bonds with you and other caregivers, his interactions
become more personal and engaging.
Your baby is growing more aware of the people around him.
He will still be clingy at this age and does not like to have you out of sight or to be left with strangers.
This is not something you should be concerned about as it is normal behaviour while your baby is getting used
to the world and the people in it.
He may also show signs of asserting himself and practicing his "independence skill" by shaking his head if
he does not want something, he might even say "no". This doesn't necessarily mean that he is already stroppy" –
it's probably just the word he hears most!
Your baby's understanding of emotions is getting stronger and he is very sensitive to your emotions – if
you get upset he will probably also get upset.
Your baby may show emotions of excitement, fear, frustration, joy and anger at this stage.
Month 10 Milestones
Your baby is learning about what objects can and can't do, so you'll be picking up a lot of dropped stuff,
and maybe even have a toy thrown into your face from time to time. As you nurse your aching back and bleeding
wounds, try to appreciate the budding scientist you have produced, who is doing these experiments instinctively.
By now most babies will:
Stand holding onto something or someone
Say Mama and Dada indiscriminately
Pull up to standing position from sitting
Play peek-a-boo
Object if you try to take a toy away
Other stuff to think about
Shop for safety devices
Your baby is probably already on the move or will be soon, so bite the bullet and check out
the house from walking-baby height.
The following safety devices are worth buying:
Cabinet locks or latches for drawers and cupboards
Bath spout safety covers
Doorknob guards to stop the child from opening a door that leads somewhere unsafe
Corner or edge cushions to cover sharp corners of furniture
Plug caps to cover electric sockets
Non-skid rubber decorations for bathtubs
