Week 46 old
Week 46: your nearly-11-month-old is cruising, "talking," and feeding herself. Here's what's typical for sleep, eating, and development this week.
In short
At 46 weeks (about 10.5 months), most babies eat 3 meals plus snacks alongside roughly 16-24 oz of breast milk or formula, sleep about 12-14 hours total with 2 naps, and are busy cruising along furniture and babbling.
🍼 Feeding
3 meals plus 1-2 snacks of varied solids, alongside about 16-24 oz of breast milk or formula per day (typically 3-4 nursing sessions or bottles). Offer water in an open or straw cup with meals.
😴 Sleep
About 12-14 hours total: roughly 10-12 hours overnight plus 2 naps adding up to 2-3 hours. Wake windows are around 3-4 hours. Keep the crib bare — back to sleep, firm flat mattress, no pillows, blankets, or bumpers.
What's happening this week
- •Around this age, many babies cruise along furniture, pull to stand confidently, and may stand alone for a second or two.
- •Many babies use a neat pincer grasp to pick up small bits of food and love dropping or banging objects to see what happens.
- •Babbling often takes on the rhythm of real speech, and some babies use 'mama' or 'dada' for the right parent around now.
- •Object permanence is strengthening, so peekaboo and finding hidden toys are big favorites this period.
- •Separation anxiety is common around now and is a normal sign of healthy attachment.
Milestones to keep in mind
- ✓These are ranges, not deadlines — babies reach skills on their own timelines between the 9-month and 12-month checkups.
- ✓By the 9-month checkpoint, many babies sit without support, pass objects hand to hand, and look for dropped toys; if yours isn't yet, mention it to your pediatrician.
- ✓Looking ahead to the 12-month checkup, many babies pull to stand, cruise, wave bye-bye, and respond to their name.
- ✓Many babies this age understand simple words like 'no' and a few familiar names — understanding usually comes before talking.
Growth
💡 Tip for this week
Now that your baby is cruising and pulling up, do a quick floor-level safety sweep: anchor furniture and TVs to the wall, move cords and small objects out of reach, and pad sharp corners.
⚠️ When to call your pediatrician
Call your pediatrician if your baby isn't bearing any weight on the legs when held, isn't babbling or making consonant sounds, doesn't respond to their name, has lost skills she previously had, or shows fewer wet diapers, a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or poor eating.
Frequently asked
How much should a 46-week-old (almost 11 months) eat?
Most babies this age eat 3 meals plus 1-2 snacks of solids, plus about 16-24 oz of breast milk or formula a day. Solids are becoming the main source of nutrition as milk gradually decreases.
How many naps does a baby take at 46 weeks?
Most babies this age take 2 naps totaling about 2-3 hours, with roughly 3-4 hour wake windows. Some babies start hinting at dropping to one nap closer to 12-15 months, but two naps is still typical now.
Should my baby be walking at 46 weeks?
Not necessarily. Walking has a wide normal range — many babies cruise and stand around now and take first steps anywhere from about 9 to 15 months. Cruising and pulling to stand are the skills to look for at this age.
Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 11 overview →
General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.