11-Month-Old Speech and Feeding Milestones

Your baby is on the verge of even greater communication and independence! Supporting their 11-month-old speech and feeding milestones with interactive play, responsive communication, and a variety of foods sets the stage for language and feeding success in toddlerhood.

Speech and Language Milestones

• Babbling with More Variety – Your baby is using a wider range of consonant-vowel combinations, such as “ba-da” or “ga-ma.”
• First Words Emerging – Some babies say their first meaningful words, like “mama,” “dada,” or “ball.”
• Understanding More Words – They recognize common words and follow simple instructions, such as “give me” or “come here.”
• Using More Gestures – Gestures like waving, pointing, reaching, and clapping continue to be a key part of communication.
• Turn-Taking Conversations – Your baby responds in “conversations,” taking turns babbling when you talk.

Feeding Milestones

• Increased Self-Feeding – Using a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up small pieces of food.
• Exploring More Food Textures – Handling soft fruits, cooked vegetables, and small bites of proteins like scrambled eggs.
• Drinking from a Cup – Some babies can sip from an open cup or straw cup with assistance.
• Advancing Chewing Skills – More controlled chewing helps them manage firmer textures.

Physical Milestones That Impact Communication and Feeding

• Cruising and Standing Independently – Strengthening muscles for walking improves coordination, making gestures and interactions easier.
• Refined Hand Control – Picking up food and holding a spoon prepares them for speech-related fine motor skills.
• Increased Imitation – Watching and copying others helps develop speech, gestures, and feeding habits.

The Importance of Gestures in Early Communication

According to the First Words Project, children should use 16 gestures by 16 months. At 11 months, your baby could be using gestures like:
✔️ Waving bye-bye
✔️ Pointing to show interest
✔️ Clapping when excited
✔️ Reaching to be picked up

Gestures are a strong predictor of later speech and language skills. If your baby isn’t using gestures, model them during daily routines!

Tips for Encouraging Speech, Language, and Feeding Development

✔️ Model and Expand Language – Repeat and build on your baby’s sounds and words.
✔️ Encourage Gestures – Use pointing, waving, and clapping to reinforce early communication.
✔️ Offer a Variety of Textures – Let your baby explore different food types to develop oral motor skills.
✔️ Read Daily – Point to pictures, name objects, and engage in interactive books.

Every baby develops at their own pace, but these 11-month-old speech, language, and feeding milestones provide a helpful guide. Keep engaging, interacting, and celebrating your baby’s progress! 🎉 For info on earlier milestones, check out my blog.