9 Month Development
What to expect at 9 months old
Physical Development
- •Sits without support
- •Crawls (belly crawls, hands-knees crawls, or scoots)
- •Pulls to standing position
- •Cruises along furniture
- •Uses pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger)
- •Picks up small objects
- •Bangs objects together
- •May show hand preference
Cognitive Development
- •Looks for objects you hide (strong object permanence)
- •Plays peek-a-boo
- •Puts objects in and out of containers
- •Explores objects by banging, shaking, dropping
- •Follows simple commands with gestures ("Come here")
- •Points at objects
- •Understands "no" (even if doesn't always obey!)
Social-Emotional
- •May be clingy with familiar adults
- •May be fearful of strangers (peak stranger anxiety)
- •Has favorite toys and people
- •Tests parental responses (drops food, watches reaction)
- •May be afraid when parent leaves (separation anxiety)
- •Shows preferences for certain people and toys
Communication
- •Says "mama" and "dada" (may not be specific yet)
- •Jabbers with varied sounds
- •Copies sounds and gestures
- •Points at objects with one finger
- •Understands "no" and simple commands
- •Uses different sounds for different emotions
"Is This Normal?" - Common Questions
My baby cries when I leave the room. Did I do something wrong?
No! Separation anxiety peaks around 9 months and is actually a sign of healthy attachment. Baby understands you exist even when out of sight, and protests your absence. It will ease around 12-15 months. Play peek-a-boo, leave and return, establish goodbye routines.
My baby isn't crawling yet. Should I worry?
Babies move in many ways! Some crawl traditionally, some army crawl, some scoot on bottoms, some skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking. As long as baby is finding SOME way to move and explore by 12 months, it's normal variation.
Baby pulls up but can't get back down and cries. What do I do?
Practice, practice, practice during the day! Help baby bend knees to sit back down repeatedly. They'll figure it out in a few days. In the meantime, go in and help them down at night if stuck and crying.
Should baby be saying real words by now?
Not necessarily. Some babies say a few words by 9 months, many don't say clear words until 12-15 months. Focus on whether baby understands simple words ('wave bye-bye,' 'where's daddy?') and babbles with varied sounds. That matters more right now.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Contact your doctor if by 9-10 months your baby:
- ⚠️Doesn't bear weight on legs when supported
- ⚠️Doesn't sit with help
- ⚠️Doesn't babble ('mama,' 'baba,' 'dada')
- ⚠️Doesn't play games like peek-a-boo
- ⚠️Doesn't respond to own name
- ⚠️Doesn't recognize familiar people
- ⚠️Doesn't look where you point
- ⚠️Doesn't transfer toys from one hand to the other
These are general guidelines. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, call your doctor.
Age-Appropriate Activities & Play Ideas
Movement & Exploration
Encouraging crawling and pulling up.
- →Create safe space for exploration
- →Place toys just out of reach to motivate movement
- →Crawl alongside baby - be their play partner
- →Provide sturdy furniture for pulling up practice
Object Permanence Games
Understanding that hidden things still exist.
- →Hide toys under blanket, let baby find them
- →Peek-a-boo variations (hide face, hide toys)
- →Drop toys in container - "Where did it go?"
- →Hide and seek with yourself around corners
Fine Motor Skills
Practicing pincer grasp and hand control.
- →Finger foods: Cheerios, puffs, soft cooked peas
- →Stacking cups (knocking down is fun too!)
- →Board books with flaps to lift
- →Large crayons for first scribbles (supervised!)
Language Building
Developing communication skills.
- →Name everything: "This is a ball," "You're eating banana"
- →Read books, point to pictures, ask "Where's the dog?"
- →Sing songs with hand motions
- →Respond to babbles as if having a conversation
Sleep Patterns & Expectations
- Total Sleep: 12-14 hours per day
- Night Sleep: 10-12 hours (most babies can sleep through)
- Naps: 2 naps per day (morning and afternoon)
- Common Issues: 8-month sleep regression, standing in crib and getting stuck
- What Helps: Practice standing/sitting during the day, consistent schedule
- Remember: Separation anxiety can cause sleep disruptions. This is temporary!
Feeding Guidelines
🍼 Milk
- • 24 oz formula per day, OR
- • 3-4 nursing sessions per day
- • Milk still primary nutrition (for now)
- • Offer milk after solids, not before
🥘 Solids
- • 3 meals per day
- • Soft finger foods (banana, avocado, soft cooked veggies)
- • Self-feeding encouraged (messy but important!)
- • Variety of textures and flavors
- • Water with meals in sippy/straw cup
Age-Specific Safety Concerns
- Mobile Baby: Crawling means everything is accessible. Baby-proof NOW if you haven't!
- Pulling Up: Falling hazard. Pad sharp corners, secure furniture to walls.
- Choking: Small objects are dangerous. Check floors daily, no small toys from older kids.
- Stairs: Install baby gates at top and bottom. Teach supervised climbing on bottom steps.
- Cabinets: Lock all cleaning supplies, medications, sharp objects.
- Electrical: Outlet covers, hide cords, secure power strips.
Looking for baby-proofing tools? RoutineKit Visual routine charts that help kids and caregivers stay on track.