|
|
9 MONTH BABY DEVELOPMENT |
 |
|
9 MONTHS DEVELOPMENT: By now your baby should be crawling or scooting and may be walking along furniture. Shoes are mainly for protection, and high-tops aren't necessary. By one year, some will be taking their first steps and by 15 months most will be walking. When learning to walk children fall a lot but rarely hurt themselves unless they hit furniture on the way to the floor. Fine muscle control is advancing rapidly now. You may notice your baby making chewing motions (even without teeth) and they can soon hold a cup. They like peek-a-boo, patty cake, and bye bye games. They don't, however, have the ability to understand time-out or spanking. Even "no" is beyond their grasp. Try to redirect them into a safer and more acceptable activity. Remember to read aloud to your baby. FEEDING: With the chewing motions, babies' diets may gradually include lumpy or chopped foods. Pay attention to what your baby eats and supply a well balanced diet. Babies will want to feed themselves soon, so let them learn how it's done. It will be sloppy for quite a while. Avoid nuts, popcorn, and other small hard foods such as hot dog pieces as these will continue to be a choking hazard through the toddler years. If they are able to hold a cup, encourage its use. Weaning is a gradual process, as the breast or bottle of formula is a measure of comfort and consistency, but the target is to have babies weaned from the bottle at twelve to fifteen months of age. If you choose, you may continue to breast feed for longer than one year. PREVENTION: Make sure you have checked the POISON CONTROL NUMBER PAGE, verified the number for your area, and printed out the sheet so you may have it posted by your phone. As a review, continue to use the car seat. Babies should never be left unattended in water. Avoid choking hazards on the floor and in the diet. No bottles should be left in the crib. Keep the cupboards locked and the poisons and medicines where they can't be reached. Keep gates in front of the stairwells. Remove furniture with sharp edges, or exposed staples or nails. Babies can't see what is on counters, tables, or stoves so they try to bring these things down to them. Watch the tablecloths, electrical cords (lamps, curling irons, etc.), and pan handles. Keep babies in sight at all times. If you are busy, put them in the crib or playpen and remember that they want to be near you. You may want to review some other ACCIDENT PREVENTION measures. WELL BABY CHECKUP: Again, make sure you take the 9 MONTH MILESTONES ASSESSMENT for your baby and take your answers with you for baby's checkup. Some babies may still need to finish receiving the Hepatitis B, or the HIB, IPV, or DTaP if they were not previously given or were missed. Please see the 2000 American Academy of Pediatrics IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE and make sure your baby does not fall behind in receiving their shots. Written by Greg Clark, MD and Mark Ludes, DO |
Again review 6 Month Development
Return to 9 Month Milestones
Return to Baby Development