Week 44: Standing Tall, Listening Closely
Your baby is ten months old this week! At this stage, their personality is really shining through. You might notice big bursts of energy, frustration when they can’t communicate something clearly, and plenty of delight at new discoveries.
What to Expect This Week
Your baby may be:
Pulling to stand and cruising along furniture
Clapping, waving, or pointing
Becoming more aware of cause and effect (and testing it!)
Reacting strongly to separation or change in routine
Even though they’re edging closer to toddlerhood, your baby is still very much a baby. They need reassurance, consistency, and connection as their world expands and their emotions grow more complex.
You might also find your baby becoming more opinionated about food, play, and sleep. This is a normal part of development — your baby isn’t “being difficult,” they’re exploring autonomy.
Feeding
Whether your baby is mostly breastfed, exploring solids enthusiastically, or doing a bit of everything, this week can bring new feeding challenges. Some babies go through distracted or fussy phases with breastfeeds. Others might seem ravenous one day and disinterested the next. Trust that your baby is still incredibly tuned into their own needs.
Offer meals from your own plate where possible, and continue to support baby-led eating. Finger foods, mashed versions of family meals, and plenty of chances to self-feed support their fine motor and oral development.
Sleep
At this age, some families see a return of more frequent night waking. This is developmentally normal and often linked to:
Teething
Increased mobility and motor skill development
Cognitive leaps (e.g. object permanence)
Separation anxiety
It doesn’t mean anything is wrong, and it doesn’t mean your baby is ready to sleep through without feeds. Night parenting is still parenting — and you’re doing a great job.
Play & Development
Babies at this age benefit from:
Responsive, face-to-face interactions
Narrating your day and naming things
Opportunities to crawl, climb, stand, and explore safely
Playing with household objects (pots, spoons, lids!) more than expensive toys
You may notice babbling that sounds more like “real” words, and emotional responses that mirror your tone. Keep talking, singing, playing, and holding space — it matters more than you know.
Tip of the Week
“It’s okay to say no with love. As babies grow, they explore boundaries — not to be naughty, but to feel safe. Gentle limits, calmly repeated, help babies learn about the world while staying connected to you.”
Further Reading:
Night Weaning: Keeping It Real Explore the realities of night weaning and understand that night waking is a normal part of development, even as your baby grows older. This article discusses the expectations and challenges associated with night-time parenting in the second half of the first year.
Why Toddlers Wake in the Night Understand the various factors that contribute to night waking in older babies and toddlers, including developmental milestones and teething. This article provides reassurance and strategies for managing disrupted sleep patterns.
Biting and Breastfeeding! As babies begin teething, biting during breastfeeding can become a concern. This article discusses why biting occurs around 9–10 months and offers practical advice on how to manage and prevent it without disrupting the breastfeeding journey.
