Baby development: Month Nine

Playtime is on the agenda for your nine-month-old and keeping him still for diaper changes, meals and story time becomes an uphill struggle.

Your baby is advancing fast in his social and emotional skills and as well as being able to get around independently. He can also demand a cuddle by pulling himself up on your legs or lifting his hands to you in an ‘up’ gesture. He may start to utter his first words this month – it’s likely to be ‘da-da’. See speaking to your baby.

Grasping

By nine months your baby will have mastered the art of seeing something small and being able to pick it up with his thumb and forefinger (the pincer grasp). You can encourage him by tipping something small, such as Cheerios, onto a plate and watching him while he tries to grasp and eat them. Be careful not to give him food he may choke on, such as nuts and grapes.

Crawling

Many babies get the hang of crawling around now, and it helps to improve your baby’s motor skills, visual and physical ability and muscle strength. Bear in mind though that not all babies crawl – some scoot along on their bottoms and some hang on a tad longer and then just get up and walk (in fact, babies who never crawl often end up as proficient early walkers). Crawling is an optional skill and your baby’s overall development won’t be affected if he shows no interest in it. See how to encourage your baby to crawl.

Drinking from a cup

Most babies won’t master drinking from a cup until they’re around a year old, but there’s no harm in getting your baby used to the cup at nine months. It is bound to be a messy business at first, with frequent dribbles and spillages (make sure your floor and your baby’s clothes are protected). Use a sippy cup with a soft spout and handles that your baby can grip. Try sitting in front of him and drinking from a beaker, then giving him the sippy cup to see if he mimics you. You can also stand behind him and put the cup to his mouth. Offer water so he won’t get used to fruit juices, which may harm his teeth. Read our articles on weaning from a bottle to cup and from breast to cup for more advice.

Comprehension and words

Your baby will start to understand more and more and soon he will start to make connections between words and objects. He may be able to say ‘da-da’ or ‘ma-ma’ (da-da usually comes first because babies find it easier to make a ‘d’ sound than a ‘m’ sound) and perhaps one other simple word at this stage. His babbling sounds will sound similar to adult speech as he mimics what he hears. He may also respond to a simple command such as “give me that” or “no”.

Problem solvers

At nine months your baby will start to encounter problems like his ball rolling behind the toy box. A few months ago this would have resulted in tears but this month your baby will probably sit and work out where the ball is, before using his mobility skills to retrieve it from its hiding place. What a little Einstein!

Sleep

Nine-month-old babies need around 14 hours of sleep, which roughly equates to three hours in the day and 11 hours at night. These aren’t continuous hours of sleep – your baby may nap in two to three hour stretches or in lots of smaller naps throughout the day and night. No baby, toddler or child is the same when it comes to sleep, so resist the urge to compare your baby’s sleep patterns with anyone else’s and bear in mind that some babies need less sleep than others. If you’re worried about your baby’s sleep patterns, consult your pediatrician.

Go to our Sleep and Bedtime section for more help and tips.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 01/07/2008

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