Your 9 Month Old: Baby's Development, Nutritional Needs & More

Your baby’s world right now

Getting a grip on new skills.

Shake, rattle, and roll! Your baby might be developing the ability to grab anything within reach. So be mindful to keep harmful objects out of sight. He might be able to say “mama” too. But it’s completely normal for babies to go months longer before they start saying recognizable words.

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Your baby’s nutrition

Introducing your baby to the wonderful world of food.

Be sure to introduce new foods to your baby gradually and one at a time. This helps determine whether he is allergic. If you notice any unusual reactions during or after feeding your baby a new food, discuss them with your healthcare professional.

As your 9-month-old continues to grow and develop, consider offering him some new foods, in addition to breast milk and baby formula:

Finger foods: Cut up pieces of lightly toasted bagel, small pieces of ripe banana, well-cooked and cooled spiral pasta, teething crackers, and 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, such as lentils, split peas, pintos, and black beans

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Your baby’s development

Standing tall, your baby is about to stand.

All babies develop at different rates. You should not be concerned if your baby does something later or earlier than your friend's children. In general, 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”

Cognitive activities to exercise your baby’s brain.
Your baby has learned so much during the past eight months. Here are some simple ways to continue his brain development:

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

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Things to think about now

Sleep patterns and tips.

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

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

If teething keeps your baby awake at night, daytime naps can help him handle teething more effectively.

Feeling rested can help him be more alert and active during the day, which might help him sleep better at night.

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