Abbott A Abbott Mama Singapore Abbott: A Promise for Life
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Childhood Development

Milestones Ahead

From the first moments after the birth of your child, you know your life will never be the same. Your child will change from week to week-even from day to day-as he begins to notice the world around him, and to interact with it. Get a head start, and know what to expect as your baby matures.

"I can’t explain how happy I feel snuggled up to my sleepy baby."- Mother of 3

People to See, Places to Go

In the tenth month, your growing little one may be ready to become a regular baby-about-town, interacting with people and showing off his developmental milestones. Help him deal with his broadening world this month by:

By the end of this month, your baby might be walking, with a little help from you.

Puppet play, and other ways to engage you 10-month-old's mind

At this point, you can interact in an even more complex and creative way with your baby. Activities such as chatting with and singing to your baby are still effective.

  • Buy puppets or make them from old mittens or socks by drawing faces with marking pens (To help increase your baby’s language skills, make the puppet talk to your baby and encourage him to talk back)
  • Cut out pictures of things such as a ball, animals, and other familiar objects from magazines and paste them in a scrapbook (Look at this scrapbook together and help him point to the pictures as you name them)
  • Sing familiar songs and read nursery rhymes

Separation made simple – slow is the way to go

Continuing separation anxiety and fear of strangers are signs that your baby has a healthy relationship with you.

  • Do your best to leave him with people he’s familiar with
  • Be sensitive to your baby's needs by introducing him to new people and new situations gradually and carefully (Try not to leave him when he’s tired, hungry, or sick)
  • Practice separating by leaving him with someone in another room for short periods to teach baby that he’s OK when you're gone, and that you’ll always come back
  • Leave quickly knowing his tears will gradually stop when you're gone

Choosing the right footwear for your baby

By the tenth month, baby needs new shoes. Look for the following in a baby shoe:

  • Soft and flexible, allowing your baby to move his feet easily
  • Flat, non-skid soles so he doesn't slide and fall
  • Soft, porous tops that allow the foot to breathe

Baby shoes need not be expensive. Remember: Since your baby's feet will grow rapidly, the shoe size will have to keep pace. Check for sizing monthly.


Baby's fears – when the vacuums become monsters

Aside from stranger fear and separation anxiety, your baby's further awareness of the bigger world may cause him to fear situations that never bothered him before. For instance, everyday things such as darkness, thunder, and the vacuum cleaner may become mini-monsters, and inspire sudden tears.

  • Eliminate the source of fear as much as possible. For example, use a night-light in his room at night (use only “cool” night-lights that do not get hot)
  • Try turning his fear into a positive learning experience by holding his hand and saying comforting words as you encourage him to carefully touch the vacuum as it is running (If he starts to back away you may want to let it go, to prevent further fear)
  • If that approach doesn't work, try vacuuming (or using the hair dryer, etc.) when he 's sleeping

Ten-month milestones – from saying "mama" to waving bye-bye

All babies develop at different rates, but by the end of your baby's tenth month, he'll probably:

Titration Methods

Help your child graduate to formula

Here are two recommended titration methods that will help your child switch with greater ease and enjoyment