Week 48: Growing Independence, Grounded by Connection
At 48 weeks — just one month shy of turning one — your baby is showing you more of their personality each day. They may be walking or nearly there, stringing together sounds with purpose, and clearly expressing their likes (and strong dislikes).
This week is all about doing things independently while still needing the security of your presence. They’re venturing further, but you’re still the anchor they look to for comfort, approval, and reassurance.
Development
You may notice:
More confident standing and cruising — possibly early walking
Improved coordination — stacking, fitting, lifting, opening
Pointing clearly to objects and looking at you to share the moment
Imitating your tone and gestures deliberately
Cognitive and emotional developments include:
Clear signs of recognising familiar words or routines
Understanding cause and effect (“If I drop this, you’ll pick it up!”)
Growing persistence in play and problem-solving
Early signs of pretend play — feeding a doll, using a brush
Your baby is learning that they are a person in their own right — and that their actions matter.
Sleep
Sleep may be:
Disturbed by new mobility — walking or standing up in the cot
Affected by emotional intensity or social separation
Shifting slightly, especially in nap length or timing
Support restful sleep by:
Offering predictable pre-sleep rituals and calm wind-downs
Acknowledging big feelings with empathy, even if sleep is disrupted
Continuing to respond with patience — this stage is temporary
Your consistent presence helps them manage this intense developmental leap.
Feeding
Feeding may be:
Messier, louder, and more opinionated than ever
Focused on self-feeding — spoon, fingers, or trying to drink from a cup
Interrupted by teething, mood, or distraction
Support healthy feeding by:
Sharing meals and eating together when possible
Offering a variety of nutrient-dense finger foods
Trusting your baby’s appetite — they’re naturally intuitive eaters
Continue offering breastmilk according to their cues — it’s still deeply nourishing and comforting.
Play and Interaction
Play this week involves:
Exploring boundaries — throwing, climbing, testing your reactions
Enjoying repetition — they may ask to do the same thing over and over
Developing social play — initiating peekaboo, offering toys, copying actions
Beginning to recognise and express basic emotions in others (“Mum is sad”)
Support their growth by:
Naming emotions — “You’re frustrated. That was hard.”
Creating space for movement, curiosity, and gentle risk-taking
Celebrating small wins and offering comfort when needed
They’re learning to trust both the world and their own capacity to explore it — with you close by.
Top Tip of the Week
“Independence is built on connection — your presence gives your baby the confidence to venture out.”
Real Life Reflections
You might be feeling the tug between pride and exhaustion. Watching your baby climb, babble, and beam with achievement is joyful — but constant supervision and emotional support can wear you out.
It’s okay to feel both grateful and tired. This is a full-body, full-heart season of parenting. And the work you’re doing now will ripple through your baby’s development for years to come.
Take breaks when you can. Rest when you must. You’re doing beautifully.
Looking Ahead
Coming soon:
A first birthday milestone
Early words or signs with clearer meaning
More confident walking (or running!)
Stronger emotional responses and clearer needs
You’ve laid the foundation — and your baby is building on it every single day.
Further Reading:
The Misleading Myth of Sleep Regressions Understand the developmental reasons behind changes in your baby's sleep patterns and why these shifts are often mischaracterized as regressions.
Babies Hands Are Made for Eating Explore how your baby's developing hand-eye coordination supports self-feeding, a key aspect of baby-led weaning during this stage.
Why Your Baby Doesn't Need To Be Taught How To Move Learn about the natural progression of gross motor skills in infants and why allowing babies to develop at their own pace supports healthy physical development.
