Your 11-month-old's development: Week 3

Learning more about language

Though at this point his vocabulary likely consists of only a couple of words besides "mama" and "dada," your baby can probably babble short, fully inflected sentences that sound like he's speaking a foreign language. Act as though you understand.



Your baby may be able to respond to simple questions and commands, especially if you give him some clues with hand gestures. For example, ask "Where's your mouth?" and point to it. Or try "Hand me the cup" and point to the object. He may even answer you in his own way, using his own gestures, such as shaking his head for "no."

Help him be helpful

Because he's receptive now, it's a good time to begin to teach your baby how to help out. Emphasize "please" and "thank you," and make toy cleanup time fun by turning it into a game. Though he probably won't get the idea just yet, it's not too early to start. Break the task into very small parts. At this age, he'll need you to work with him by his side.

Name that item

It's up to you to help your baby make connections between objects and their names — the more you do, the faster your child's vocabulary will grow.



Keep talking to your baby and labeling things. Count stair steps as you climb them, and point out the names and colors of the fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Read your baby a picture book and ask him to point to or name familiar objects.



Solicit his opinion once in a while: Ask him if he'd like to wear the red or the blue socks, or if he'd like to play with his blocks or his stacking rings. Give him only two choices — both of which are right in front of him. He may not answer, but then again, he may surprise you.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

source: babycenter

Your 11-month-old: Week 3

How your baby's growing:

It's a good time to introduce your baby to the concept of helping out. Though he won't be able to get it just yet, by the time he's a toddler he'll be excited to assist in putting toys away and picking up spilled snacks. Emphasize "please" and "thank you" and you'll set the stage for him to repeat these words back to you someday!



• Learn more fascinating facts about your 11-month-old's development.

Your life: Trimming the fat from your food bills

Although your grocery bill may be one of your biggest household expenses each month, it's also one of the easiest to trim down. That's because it contains so many variables.



Before you adjust what you buy, think about when you buy. Try going to the supermarket when your partner (or someone else) can watch your baby. Being less distracted and having more time, you'll find it easier to comparison shop and limit hasty purchases or impulse buys.



It's also helpful to look at how you buy. Always remember your discount card (if your store offers one) and a specific shopping list. Keep a running list of foods your family consumes on a routine basis and stock up when the price is low. Coupons can help cut costs, too.



Consider changing what you buy. One option is to buy foods in bulk if you consume them often and have storage space. Try alternatives to meat on occasion, since they generally cost less. Limit premade meals and other convenience foods — cooking from scratch doesn't necessarily have to consume a lot of time. For ideas on easy-to-make family meals, check out Dishes, our recipe finder.



Finally, look at where you buy. Is the local grocery the store with the lowest prices or merely the most convenient place? Large buying clubs such as Sam's Club or Costco may offer better deals on certain items. A local farmer's market may have better buys on seasonal produce.

3 questions about: Thumb-sucking

Should I worry if my baby sucks his thumb?

No. Thumb-suckers are using a healthy, built-in mechanism to soothe themselves. It's a natural self-comforting inclination that some babies are born with, and it's no cause for worry or alarm.



Does thumb-sucking cause dental problems?

Experts agree that for babies, this isn't a risk. Some people say children can even suck their thumb without affecting their teeth until they're 2 years old, and the American Dental Association says most can do it safely until they're 4 or 5, when permanent teeth usually start appearing.



Are pacifiers a better choice than thumb-sucking?

Pacifiers are another good way for babies to self-soothe, but they're not necessarily better: Your baby may learn to depend on you to retrieve his pacifier if it drops out of his crib, for instance, and it may become lost or dirty. On the plus side, babies usually outgrow pacifiers well before they pose a risk to dental health. Some babies actually reject the "paci" in favor of the thumb, so if that's the case, you don't have an either-or choice — your baby has made it for you.

source: babycenter