10 Week Old Baby – Development, Milestones & Care

Your baby is officially 10 weeks old, and you must be still getting used to the idea of motherhood. Your baby is already 2 months old, and we know the first few weeks with him (and adjusting to your new routine) must not have been easy. Hey, Mommy, you have done a great job! At 10 weeks, you must be noticing quite a few developments in your baby. From now on, your baby’s movements will increase; he may attempt cooing or gurgling. You will also notice other developments in your baby. Find out how your baby is developing at 10 weeks.

Your 10-week-old Baby’s Development

Are you wondering how big is a baby at 10 weeks? At 10 weeks, your baby’s weight will be considerably more than what it was at perhaps 4 or 6 weeks. After an entire phase of extended wakefulness, you will notice that your baby will spend a lot of time napping or sleeping deeply. He can sleep for 4-5 hours at a time, making you sigh with relief. Your baby will get some rest, but it is important that you start supervised tummy time for him as it will develop his upper body strength. If he gets bored, you can lie down too and bring your head to the same level as his. This will make him interested in trying to move closer to you. At times, if he tries hard to keep himself up, he might get tired and end up with his face down in the bed. Make sure you help him roll over and lie on his back.

[Also Read: 2 Months Old Baby Development]

Your Ten-week-old Baby’s Milestones

When your baby has supervised tummy time, you must take note of how his arms and chest develop. If your baby can already hold his head pretty well, you can slightly push his legs as well so as to nudge him for a crawl. He won’t be able to crawl right at this stage, but it will trigger him to remember how to do it. A few minutes of this exercise every day should be gradually ramped up to a cumulative time of around half an hour throughout the entire day.

Along with the upper body strength, it is necessary to note and check if his legs are getting stronger, too. Since most of his time will be spent either lying on his back or on his tummy, his legs won’t get a chance to bear his own weight. By the age of around 10 weeks, his legs will start garnering a good amount of strength.  You can gently massage your baby’s legs and move his legs in bicycle motion to strengthen his legs.

[Also Read: 2 Months Old Baby Milestones]

Feeding Your 10-Week-Old Baby

Given the increased weight and appetite of your child, you may opt for bottle-feeding along with breastfeeding if breastfeeding does not suffice. A lot of time will be invested in ensuring that your baby is well-fed and satisfied. If you’d like to start returning back to your normal life, it is great if you can learn to breastfeed your baby anywhere at any point in time. It sure can get awkward for a few mothers, but it is important to break away from that mentality. Once you have the confidence to feed well and master a position and the tact of feeding quickly, you will be fine. Even if not, it is best to keep trying so that it benefits both you and the baby.

[Also Read: 2 Months Old Baby Food]

Sleeping – 10-Week-Old 

Your 10-week-old baby’s sleeping pattern and sleeping style will now start falling into the realm of predictability. A slight schedule will begin to emerge as your child will now fall asleep at specific times without fail. If your baby tends to wake up early in the morning, the first feed of the day could make him fall asleep almost immediately after the feeding is complete. At other times, the first feed and a nice bath could energise him and keep him happy and excited in the mornings. One of the key problems faced by nearly all mothers is putting their babies to sleep during the afternoon. Desperate to catch a small nap themselves, mothers tend to try all techniques to induce sleep in their children. At times, your child may fall asleep, but only after you have cuddled him or entertained him for some time.

[Also Read: 2 Months Old Baby Sleep]

Behaviour at 10 Weeks

Your baby will be energetic and excited even more than before when awake. Reaching for everything that he can, making a lot of sounds, and being able to keep his head upright when on the tummy all of this will make him realise that he is growing up.

Your baby will now start cooing and grunting and even using his saliva in funny ways. He may even start blowing raspberries – it will become a natural activity for him that will keep him occupied. Increased visibility of drool and saliva might make you wonder if his teeth are about to erupt. However, that isn’t the case, and your baby is simply having the most fun that he can have.

Crying of 10-Week-Old

Your baby’s cries can get out of hand at this age. After putting your little one to sleep, you might hear small little cries that are signs of him falling into a deep sleep. If he wakes up in the middle of the night with an empty stomach, the wail that ensues can wake up every person in your household. If you leave your child alone by himself for a moment, he will cry out in different manners to get your attention and make you come back to him. All these cries are different and can be recognized over time.

With any kind of cry, it is important to respond to it as soon as possible lest you risk letting it build up to a longer crying routine. After all, crying is the only way your child can successfully communicate his needs to you.

Routine of Your 10-Week-Old

A 10-week-old baby is still very young, and their routine is simple. Here’s a basic outline of what you can expect from a 10-week-old baby:

1. Feeding: Babies at this age typically feed every 2-3 hours, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding. They may consume about 2-4 ounces of milk per feeding.

2. Sleeping: Your baby will sleep often, usually 14-17 hours a day, but in short stretches. Naps can vary in length from 30 minutes to a few hours.

3. Diaper changes: You’ll be changing your baby’s diaper frequently, about 8-12 times a day.

4. Playtime: Babies at this age are becoming more alert and may have short periods of playtime when they are awake. These moments can include tummy time, gentle interaction, and looking at toys.

5. Tummy time: Encourage tummy time for a few minutes a few times a day to help with your baby’s development.

6. Crying and soothing: Your baby may still cry often, as this is how they communicate. You’ll need to attend to their needs, whether it’s hunger, a diaper change, or comfort.

What 10-Week-Old Baby Problem Parents Should Know About?

Here are some common concerns and issues that parents of a 10-week-old baby should be aware of:

1. Feeding Challenges

• Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding issues, including latching problems or slow weight gain.
• Recognising hunger cues and ensuring adequate milk intake.
• Possible signs of reflux or colic, which can cause discomfort during or after feedings.

2. Sleep Patterns

• Understanding the irregular sleep patterns and frequent night awakenings typical for infants.
• Creating a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Recognising signs of tiredness and establishing a bedtime routine.

3. Developmental Milestones

• Tracking developmental milestones such as improved head control, increased alertness, and early social interactions.
• Encouraging tummy time and activities that support motor and sensory development.
• Monitoring for any developmental delays or concerns and discussing them with a paediatrician.

4. Colic and Fussiness

• Dealing with periods of fussiness or colic in your baby at 10 weeks can be challenging for both the baby and parents.
• Try soothing techniques like swaddling, rocking, or using white noise to comfort the baby.
• Seeking support and advice from healthcare professionals or support groups if needed.

Tips to Take Care of Your 10-week-old Baby

Here are some tips you should follow while caring for your 10-week-old baby.

• Appropriate feeding at the right time in the right amounts.
• Taking note of the different styles of crying and making sure they are attended to as fast as possible.
• Keeping track of your baby’s schedule and understanding what he might need before he asks for it.
• Playing with your baby and taking him outside to a park or a nearby garden for some calm time.

[Also Read: 2 Months Old Baby Care]

Tests and Vaccinations

If all the important vaccines of the 8th week, such as PCV, rotavirus, and others, have been administered successfully, then there are no vaccinations to be undertaken at this stage.

Games and Activities

At 10 weeks, your baby will have gained some strength and may begin to understand 3D space and movement around him. You can take advantage of this and help him fly in the air in the most exciting manner possible. Lie down on the floor and hold your baby firmly in your hands. Use your thighs as a support for your baby as he lies down on them. Then, with your hands along his side to keep him steady, gently raise your legs in the air and make your baby fly. Make exciting sounds and look at him with excitement. Chances are your baby will love it and begin giggling. Certain babies can get extremely scared and start crying. And that’s really unfortunate because this activity is a lot of fun and can work as an exercise for you.

Your baby’s eyesight will be better now, you can make use of a powerful torch or a shiny piece against sunlight to cast a reflection on the wall before them. If your baby is lying down, use it to make a reflection on the ceiling and make surprising sounds. Let it appear and disappear occasionally and watch your baby glee in delight.

[Also Read: 2 Months Old Baby Games and Activities]

When to Consult a Doctor

Increased interaction with other people might make your baby susceptible to picking up an infection from others and may get a cold or cough. You can try home remedies to clear his nose better yet, consult a doctor.

If the infection worsens and your baby seems to be trying to itch his ears, suffering from constipation and has a slight fever, then it could be a sign of something severe and may require immediate medical attention.

FAQs

1. Why Is My 10-week-old Baby Fussy?

Fussiness in a 10-week-old baby can have various causes:

• Hunger: Your baby might still be hungry or have a growth spurt.
• Discomfort: They could be experiencing gas, colic, or reflux, which can be uncomfortable.
• Tiredness: Overstimulation or tiredness can make babies fussy.
• Need for attention: Babies seek comfort and attention, so they might be fussy for closeness.

2. Why Does My 10-Week-Old Baby Cry After Feeding?

There are several reasons your baby might cry after feeding:

• Overfeeding: If your baby ingests too much milk, they may cry due to discomfort.
• Gas or colic: Digestive issues like gas can cause post-feeding discomfort.
• Reflux: Gastroesophageal reflux can lead to crying after feeding.
• Hunger: Sometimes, crying after a feed might indicate your baby is still hungry.

It’s essential to observe your baby’s cues and address their needs accordingly. If crying persists, and you’re concerned, consult your paediatrician to rule out any underlying issues or discuss feeding techniques.

Your bundle of joy in a mere 10 weeks will be a sight to behold. The non-stop entertainment combined with the awe of seeing your baby grow from a tiny little newborn child to more than 2 months old can be quite reassuring. Take good care and split activities between your spouse so that you can start making your return to normal life as well.

References/Resources:

1. Development & Milestones for Infants (Birth – 12 months); M I Kids Matter; https://www.michigan.gov/mikidsmatter/parents/infant/milestones

2. Important Milestones: Your Baby By Two Months; Center For Disease And Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2mo.html

3. 2-3 months: newborn development; Raising Children; https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/development/development-tracker/2-3-months

4. Infant and toddler health; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-development/art-20048012

5. Your baby’s developmental milestones at 2 months; UNICEF; https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/your-babys-developmental-milestones-2-months

Also Read:

8 Week Old Baby Development
Development and Milestone of 9 Week Old 
11 Week Old Baby Development and Milestone