Your 9-month-old: Grabbing and Gabbing

Baby’s learning to use his hands and mouth!

Your baby might be developing new skills, including the ability to grab anything within reach. In addition, he might start shaking, banging, dropping and throwing any item he can lift, so be careful. If your baby hasn’t already, he might also say “mama.” However, some babies could go months longer before they start using new words, and this is completely normal.

Is Your Baby Walking?

Learn the exciting developments you can expect in month nine -- and how you can help your baby grow!

Every baby develops at a different pace, but by the end of your baby’s ninth month, he will likely be able to do the following:

• Pull himself to a standing position.
• Walk while holding on to furniture.
• Grab objects with his thumb and index finger.
• Wave “bye-bye”
• Understand “no”

Your baby has learned a lot in the last eight months; you can continue your baby’s brain development in simple ways:

• Read him books, naming and pointing to objects and people.
• Teach him hand-eye coordination games, such as patty-cake and peekaboo.

Let Your Baby Choose

More foods your 9-month-old with love.

Your 9-month-old baby continues to grow and develop, which means he needs the right foods and nutrients to maintain his health. Introduce new foods to your baby gradually and one at a time to determine whether he’s allergic. If you notice unusual reactions during or after feeding your baby a specific food, discuss them with your health care professional. In addition to mashed fruits and vegetables, here are some new foods to consider in addition to breast milk or baby formula:

Finger foods:

• Lightly toasted bagels, cut up
• Small pieces of ripe banana
• Well-cooked spiral pasta
• Teething crackers
• Low-sugar O-shaped cereal

Small amounts of protein:

• Egg
• Pureed cooked meats, poultry and boneless fish
• Tofu
• Well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins (lentils, split peas, pintos and black beans)

Your 9-month-old: Sleeping Easier

Baby is slowly but surely making it through the night.

Baby separation anxiety might keep your baby up at night again, but with a little patience on your part, your baby should be able to get back to sleep easier than before.

Daytime naps can help your baby handle teething more effectively by giving baby a chance to rest if teething keeps him awake at night. Feeling rested can help your baby be more alert and active during the day, which might help him sleep better at night.