It’s a big—and teary!—milestone when your baby turns 9 months old! They will soon be standing and saying their first words, if they haven’t already. You may notice your baby developing an attachment to certain people or objects and learning how to communicate through shaking their head “yes” or “no.” Keep reading for more information about 9-month-old developmental milestones!
Reflexes
While no new reflexes make an appearance at the 9-month mark, your child may still demonstrate some of the reflexes mentioned in previous developmental milestone reports.
The following reflexes were discussed in the 5-month report:
- Palmar Grasp reflex
- Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
- Spinal Galant
- Spinal Perez
The 6-month report included one more reflex:
- Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)
These reports discuss what is considered “normal” for early reflexes—when they appear, how they work, and when they typically integrate or disappear as a reflex. Every child develops at a unique rate, and it may take longer than “normal” for some of these reflexes to integrate. That doesn’t mean your child’s development is slow or problematic.
If you have questions or concerns about their rate of development, mention it to your child’s pediatrician. They may be able to refer your child to an occupational therapist trained in reflex integration.
9-Month-Old Developmental Milestones
Mobility
At this point, most 9-month-old babies are improving their crawling skills. If your baby still hasn’t begun crawling, that’s ok—again, every child follows the beat of their own developmental drum. But keep an eye out for signs they are ready to start crawling: getting on all fours, rocking back and forth, or pulling their body forward while lying on their tummy.
Along with crawling, your baby may be starting to “cruise”—walking while holding onto furniture. For example, your baby may like to pull up to the couch or coffee table and take steps along the length of it. The cruising skill is expected to develop around 8–12 months, so if your baby hasn’t started yet, no worries! If they have, be sure to clear their path of obstacles and sharp edges, and stay nearby for inevitable falls.
As mentioned in the 8-month developmental milestones report, your baby may also be starting to climb up stairs. Stay right behind them with your hands ready to catch them if they fall! The same is true if they try going downstairs, which is even trickier. Little Jack used to try going down head-first but has learned to turn around and go down feet-first. Yay Jack!
Learning how to safely descend stairs will require lots of guidance from you. One way is to have your baby practice stepping down from couch cushions on the floor; this provides a softer surface and gives them one “step” at a time.
Motor Control/Strength
Be on the lookout for some milestones in your baby’s motor control and coordination. At this age, your baby may start clapping their hands, giving high-fives, waving to friends and family, and pointing at objects and people. However, the “typical” age range for developing these skills is 9–12 months, so it may actually be a few more months until your baby claps, waves and points. Don’t worry if your baby isn’t there yet!
Your baby will also be developing greater strength in their arms and legs, allowing them to pull themselves up to stand, as mentioned in the previous milestones report. As time goes on, you will notice your baby growing more confident in this ability. Before you know it, they will be standing without holding onto anything at all!
That pincer grasp they’ve been developing will continue to improve and strengthen at this age. You can encourage a more precise pincer grasp by giving your baby foods to pick up between thumb and finger, such as sliced berries, puffs, and cheerios.
If your baby wasn’t doing so already, they may be starting to turn the pages in the board books you give them. This skill typically emerges between 9–12 months, so—again—don’t worry if your baby isn’t doing this yet. You can help by separating the pages for them; that will give their little fingers enough space to grab and turn it.
Cognitive/Social
There are many exciting cognitive and social milestones for your baby to reach this month. A typical 9-month-old baby is avidly exploring their environment and learning from their surroundings. They may be picking up on the idiosyncrasies you and other people in their lives do, and as a result, imitate the gestures and vocalizations they see and hear.
For example, one gesture a 9-month-old may quickly learn is how to shake their head “yes” or “no.” You can easily demonstrate this gesture while saying “yes” or “no” to help your baby associate it with the correct meaning.
As mentioned in the 8-month milestones report, a baby at this age is learning to communicate their feelings by making noises and, in some cases, saying words. This can be a fun time for you as you watch your baby learn to communicate their wants and needs more effectively.
Little Jack has progressed from making squeaking noises to screaming very loudly, including happy, mad, or sad screams. But he still enjoys the occasional squeak and also loves blowing raspberries!
Your 9-month-old hasn’t yet outgrown simple games like hide-and-seek and peek-a-boo! They are perfect for helping your baby learn object permanence. Besides, the joy your baby exudes while playing these games is sure to elicit some cute laughs and big smiles!
Conclusion
Monitoring and managing your baby’s 9-month-old developmental milestones is both fun and full-time. Now that your baby is more mobile—crawling or not—they will need more guidance and supervision from you. The time you spend together will be rewarded even more as your baby learns to communicate and imitate your words and gestures. For more ideas on how to engage and activate your child’s continuing development, check out the 9-month activity and exercise guide!
