All babies have their own timetable, but you can watch for certain developments in your 9-month-old. Celebrate with your baby as he reaches or nears these milestones.
Cognitive
- Recognizes people and objects at a distance
- Experiments with object permanence (objects and people that are out of sight still exist)
- Curious about objects just out of reach; reaches for them
- Attaches meaning to certain sights, sounds, and gestures; may be ready to learn baby sign language
- Recognizes and responds to familiar words
- Begins to understand that objects and people have names
- Anticipates what comes next in familiar routines (running water means a bath)
- May be able to understand and play clapping games
Motor
- Learns to use thumb and index finger to pick up small objects (pincer grasp)
- Holds an object in each hand
- Bangs objects on a table, floor, or against each other
- Voluntarily lets go of toys
- Feeds self, though messily
- Drinks from a cup
- Sits without support
- Scoots or begins to crawl
- May stand using furniture for support
- May pull self to standing position
Communication
- Looks for and reacts to sounds outside his line of vision
- Babbles echo actual words and include vowels and consonants (“ba ba ba,” “da da,” “bah-dah”)
- Takes turns mimicking conversation (you talk, he babbles, you talk, he babbles
- Expresses likes and dislikes with clear body language (smiling and kicking when happy, frowning when unhappy)
- Vocalizes feelings with squeals, howls, and other sounds
- May wave good-bye
- Able to learn some baby sign language
Social
- Distinguishes between strangers and family
- May show shyness or fear around strangers
- Shows frustration when limits are set
- Tests limits and watches for your response
- Enjoys peekaboo and other simple games
