Your baby at 11 months

Almost a year. Coming up on the CDC's 1-year checklist: walking while holding on to furniture, understanding “no” and calling a parent by a special name.

There's no CDC checklist for 11 months; the CDC's checklists come at 9 months and 1 year. By 9 months, most babies (75% or more) do things like “Moves things from one hand to her other hand”. Coming up by 1 year: “Walks, holding on to furniture”. Both lists are below, with this month's play, talk and reading ideas.

Checked October 29, 2026.

Already, by 9 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
Looks when you call her name
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication Milestones

Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
Lifts arms up to be picked up

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
Bangs two things together

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Gets to a sitting position by herself
Moves things from one hand to her other hand
Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself
Sits without support

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 9 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 9 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Coming up, by 1 year

Social/Emotional Milestones

Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Language/Communication Milestones

Waves “bye-bye”
Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Pulls up to stand
Walks, holding on to furniture
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 1 year, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 1 year. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

Cruise to me
When your baby stands holding the sofa, kneel at the far end with a toy and call them over.
Safety: Clear sharp corners and anything that could tip over.
Which blanket?
Hide a toy under one of two small blankets while your baby watches, and let them choose. Then switch.
Block in the cup
Show your baby how to drop a large block into a plastic cup, then hand them the block and let them try.

Things to say

“Step, step, step. You're coming!”
“Is it under this one?”
“No, that's hot. Here's yours instead.”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A book to share

A lift-the-flap board book. Let your baby lift each flap, and say what's under it together: "A dog!"

Your library has board books and picture books to borrow, and most run free story times.

Questions parents ask about this age

When do babies sit up?By 9 months: Sits without support
When do babies crawl?By 1 year: Pulls up to stand
When do babies babble?By 9 months: Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
When do babies respond to their name?By 9 months: Looks when you call her name
When do babies play peekaboo?By 9 months: Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
When do babies get shy with strangers?By 9 months: Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
When do babies pull up to stand?By 1 year: Pulls up to stand
When do babies wave?By 1 year: Waves “bye-bye”
When do babies say mama or dada?By 1 year: Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
When do babies clap?By 1 year: Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
When do babies cruise along furniture?By 1 year: Walks, holding on to furniture
When do babies walk?By 15 months: Takes a few steps on his own
When do babies understand no?By 1 year: Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
When do babies look for hidden toys?By 9 months: Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your baby isn't doing the things on the CDC's 9-month list, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason. Things on the 1-year list are still coming.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.
CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

What are some things you and your baby do together?
What are some things your baby likes to do?
Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 1 year page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents