Night sleep
Daytime naps
Total sleep
10-12 hours
3-3.75 hours
12-16 hours
Night sleep
10-12 hours
Daytime naps
3-3.75 hours
Total sleep
12-16 hours
At 10 months old, your baby is changing every day. Your little one might be hitting 10-month-old developmental milestones like standing, pulling themselves up on furniture, and maybe even taking a few tentative steps (although most babies still need a month or two before they become full-fledged toddlers!).
Here’s more about what to expect from your 10-month-old sleep patterns this month, along with milestones, toys to stimulate your baby’s development, and more.
10-month-old baby milestones for sleep
As your baby approaches their first birthday (it’s both sad and exciting to think that the first year is almost over!), you’ll probably notice lots of changes.
Your 10-month-old might show interest in new toys, such as:
- building blocks or activity cubes
- or engage in new activities with you, such as playing patty-cake or enjoying reading books.
Another big milestone for your 10-month-old: more sleep. At 10 months old, your baby can sleep through the night.
And while every baby is different, most babies at this age can learn to self-soothe, which can help them both fall asleep on their own and get back to sleep if they wake up in the middle of the night.
Gentle sleep training methods can help your baby learn how to fall asleep independently, even if you’re breastfeeding.
If you’re struggling with sleep, talk to your doctor about implementing sleep training and remember: there are many different methods out there.
You can find the sleep method that works best for you and your family.
Most babies at this age still need up to 15 hours of sleep per day and will nap at least twice a day, usually in the morning and afternoon.
Babies aren’t usually ready to drop their morning nap until closer to 12-15 months, so for now, keep a mid-morning snooze on your baby’s daily schedule.
What’s going on in your baby’s brain?
Your baby is approaching toddler status, which means some major developments physically, mentally, and emotionally.
By this age, your baby fully recognizes that they are a separate being from you, so that can lead to some separation anxiety and displaying some shyness or fear around new people and situations.
This is actually a positive sign of development, as well as a sign that your baby feels secure with you, so don’t worry if they never want to leave your side (or arms).
As their sense of self develops, your baby will also start showing emotions in a newly physical way, such as:
- having angry, sad, or delighted facial expressions and gestures
- or making it known when they want to be held by lifting their hands to be picked up.
Your 10-month-old is probably also busy babbling a lot of sounds and could be saying “mamamama” or “dadadada.”
Physically, your 10-month-old is a busy bee. Most 10-month-olds can do things like sit up unassisted, eat finger foods, and maybe pull themselves up on furniture to stand.
You can encourage your baby’s exploration of the world with activities like:
- reading together
- giving them plenty of space to roam and explore at home
- offering toys like blocks and balls to roll back and forth
- and taking them outside for walks or playtime.
Your baby’s pediatrician may also assess your baby at about 9 or 10 months for early signs of autism.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all babies be screened for early signs of autism beginning at 9 months old, so if your doctor asks questions or does additional screening at your baby’s well-child check-up, don’t be alarmed—it’s standard protocol, and with conditions like autism, early treatment is always best.
How much should a 10-month-old sleep?
Wondering how much a 10-month-old baby should sleep? Here’s a quick look:
- Total hours of sleep: 12 to 16
- Wake windows: 2.5 and 3 hours
- Number of naps: 2
Sample 10 month old sleep schedule
The good news? Most 10-month old babies are on a regular 2-a-day nap schedule, so you can plan out your days a little bit more predictably than during the newborn days. The bad news? There’s not a whole lot of time to leave the house between the morning and afternoon naps, so plan accordingly!
10-month-old feeding tips
At 10 months, your baby will transition to taking in slightly less formula or breast milk and slightly more solids—the scale is finally tipping! However, the bulk of your baby’s nutrition needs, like vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats, will continue to come from formula and/or breast milk.
If you’re nursing, you can continue to feed your baby on demand. Remember that feeding times are about more than just strict physical nutrition: they’re a time to connect and bond as well.
- How much should a 10-month-old eat? At 10 months, your baby will drink breast milk or formula 3 to 4 times a day for a total of 24 to 30 ounces per day.
- How much should a 10-month-old weigh? The average 10-month-old baby girl weighs close to 20 pounds and the average 10-month-old baby boy weighs just over 21.5 pounds, according to data from the World Health Organization.
- How often should a 10-month-old eat? From 6 until 12 months of age, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends feeding babies every 2-3 hours, or about 5 times per day. That breaks down to about 3 meals and 2 snacks. You can also offer your baby water with all meals and snacks and keep a water bottle handy nearby–it’s never too early to learn proper hydration! By 10 months old, your baby does not need to eat overnight, unless your doctor has recommended otherwise.
- Tip: If your baby is still loving their bottles or nursing time and not showing a ton of interest in solids yet, don’t worry—they will make the switch eventually! Keep making mealtimes family time and continue offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources to encourage trying new foods.
How to help support your baby’s sleep during the tenth month
During your baby’s tenth month, it can be helpful to keep the following sleep tips in mind:
Stick to naps at home—for now.
Stick to naps at home—for now.
The two-a-day nap schedule of your 10-month-old stage can feel a bit confining — but be assured that this stage is very temporary. Your baby will sleep better and you will both be more rested if you stick to a consistent nap schedule. For now, plan on lots of time at home and encourage your childcare provider to stick to a two-a-day nap schedule.
Don’t drop that morning nap too soon.
Don’t drop that morning nap too soon.
There will come a time when the two-a-day nap schedule will end, but don’t push it too soon. Your baby may need two-a-day naps for as long as 15 months. Your baby will give you cues when they’re ready to drop their morning nap, such as resisting the nap or not falling asleep for the afternoon nap until hours later.
Consider sleep training.
Consider sleep training.
The cues your baby needs to fall asleep at bedtime are the same things your baby will need in order to fall back asleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. So if you have an elaborate bedtime routine that includes things like nursing to sleep or snuggling your baby until they drop off, it’s normal that your baby will want those things when they wake up at 3 AM too.
While there’s nothing wrong with doing what works best for your family, if you’re feeling ready for more sleep, talk to your doctor about some gentle sleep training methods.
Remember sleep begets sleep.
Remember sleep begets sleep.
As your baby gets older, it might be tempting to let your baby stay up later to play or try to “tire them out” to encourage them to sleep more. But when it comes to little kids, keep in mind that sleep begets sleep. Overtired babies will often refuse to sleep, so keep your routines consistent and stick to sleep schedules whenever possible.
FAQs
Q: What can 10-month-old babies eat?
A: At 10 months, babies can eat mashed fruits, cooked vegetables, soft cereals, and well-cooked proteins like diced meat or beans.
Q: How big is a 10-month-old baby’s stomach?
A: A 10-month-old baby’s stomach is about the size of their fist, gradually increasing to hold more solid food.
Q: How much should a 10-month-old baby weigh?
A: The average 10-month-old baby girl weighs close to 20 pounds and the average 10-month-old baby boy weighs just over 21.5 pounds, according to data from the World Health Organization.
Q: What can 10-month-old babies drink?
A: 10-month-old babies can drink breast milk, formula, water, and small amounts of diluted fruit juices.
Sources:
- Important milestones: Your baby by 9 months. 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important Milestones: Your Baby By 9 Months.
- Feeding milestones. n.d. Stanford Health. Feeding Guide for the First Year.
- Growth charts. 2022. World Health Organization. WHO Growth Standards Are Recommended for Use in the U.S. for Infants and Children 0 to 2 Years of Age.
- How much to feed your baby. 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How Much and How Often To Feed.
- Feeding serving sizes. 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics. Serving Sizes for Toddlers.
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