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Growth Milestone - Nine Months
The Creepy-Crawler
The 9-month-old child continues making major gains in development and begins displaying
a little independence. The youngster of this age is always on the move and will begin to
get opinionated about such things as what foods to eat and when to go to sleep.
Occasionally, these opinions turn into protests, so now is the time to begin setting some
limits and saying "no." The following comments are designed to help you and your partner enjoy
your 9-month-old while continuing to gain confidence in yourselves as parents. The information is
not intended as a substitute for well-baby visits by your newborn's pediatrician. Never
hesitate to ask your child's physician for guidance concerning specific problems. This is
the reason for regular well-baby checkups.
Parenting and Behavioral
- Keep up a constant chatter with your 9-month-old child. Talking to your child
while dressing, bathing, feeding, playing, walking and driving encourages speech
development.
- Encourage play with age-appropriate toys. Babies like to bounce, swing, reach for you,
pick up and drop objects, and bang things together. Unbreakable household objects such as
plastic measuring cups, large wooden spoons, pots, pans and plastic containers make great
toys. A foam rubber ball helps the child develop his or her small motor skills.
- Provide opportunities for safe exploration.
- Begin to set limits by using verbal "no's," distraction, removing the object
from the baby's sight or removing the baby from the object. Never use spanking as a form
of discipline, even a "little" tap on the hand. If you become angry with your
baby, put the child in their crib or playpen for one or two minutes. This will allow you
to calm down and allows your baby to realize he or she has done something wrong.
Consistence of discipline is very important - adhering to the limits you set keeps your
child safe.
- Shoes are not necessary at this age (except for "show.") They should be used
only to protect the feet from sharp objects and the cold.
- Stranger anxiety may limit some parent's ability to leave their 9-month-old with
grandparents or a baby sitter. It is important for parents to get out from time to time
without their little one. You get a breather, and your son or daughter learns that
sometimes you do go away, but you always come back.
Development
- During this period your baby will probably learn to creep, crawl and otherwise get
around the room. He or she may even pull up in the bed or on furniture and begin
"cruising" around the room.
- Responds to his or her own name.
- Understands a few words such as "no-no" and "bye-bye."
- Begins developing certain concepts - for example, your child will retrieve a toy after he or she watched
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