Key takeaways: Ten-month-olds are building on 9-month skills like sitting alone, babbling, and looking for hidden objects, and working toward 12-month skills like pulling to stand, cruising along furniture, waving bye-bye, using a pincer grasp, and understanding “no.” Development varies widely. The CDC’s checklists are at 9 and 12 months.
At 10 months, your baby is busy, curious, and increasingly communicative.
Skills Many Babies Have by 9 Months (CDC)
- Sits without support and gets into sitting alone.
- Babbles “mamamama” and “babababa.”
- Looks when you call their name.
- Looks for objects dropped out of sight.
- Moves things from hand to hand.
Skills Many Babies Are Working Toward by 12 Months (CDC)
- Plays games like pat-a-cake.
- Waves bye-bye.
- Calls a parent “mama,” “dada,” or another special name.
- Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops).
- Puts something in a container.
- Looks for things they see you hide.
- Pulls up to stand.
- Walks holding on to furniture (cruising).
- Drinks from a cup without a lid as you hold it.
- Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
Play Ideas
- Push toys that are sturdy and stable.
- Containers and blocks.
- Hide-and-seek with toys under cups.
- Songs with motions like pat-a-cake.
- Point and name objects.
Feeding
Offer soft finger foods to practice the pincer grasp. Many babies eat three meals a day plus breast milk or formula. Introduce an open cup with small sips.
Safety
- Anchor furniture and TVs.
- Window guards and stops.
- Lower crib mattress fully.
- Stair gates at top and bottom.
- Watch around water, including buckets and toilets.
Talk to your baby’s doctor if: your baby isn’t showing the skills on the CDC checklist for their age, loses skills they once had, or you have any concerns.
The Bottom Line
Ten months is a busy age of pulling up, cruising, and understanding. Keep your home safe and play lots of back-and-forth games.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: your baby by 9 months; by 1 year. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly
- Zubler JM, Wiggins LD, Macias MM, et al. Evidence-informed milestones for developmental surveillance tools. Pediatrics. 2022;149(3):e2021052138.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Developmental milestones: 8 to 12 months. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
