Your child might be standing up and walking while holding onto something, but they find it hard to sit down afterward. So, do not let them wear shoes yet – it is best for them to feel the ground with their bare feet. Further, your baby will still have a “baby” look, with a pot belly, chubby legs, and arms at 9 months old.
As they start to test their walking and standing skills, they will lose some of that chub. At nine months old, your child will:
- Increase 25 cm in length
- Gain weight at a slower rate
- Shown 0.6 to 1.2 cm of head growth
Developmental Milestones
At 9 months, your child is closer to being named as a toddler. As soon as your baby starts toddling around, he or she will transition into toddlerhood. Below are some mental and physical developments you can start to notice at this age:
Your baby will:
- Stand from the ground by holding onto furniture
- Crawl on the ground or scoot with one leg
- Stand up without help
- Points at something that they like
- Imitates words
- Babbles
- Bring to say easy words like “Da” and “Ma”
Brain development
At 9 months, your baby:
- Can see colors properly
- Want to know how things work
- Will become curious
- May show separation fear
- Will now know where you keep some items in the house. You can no longer trick them by “hiding” things
Tips for parents
At 9-month-old, your baby will love to move around! Allow him or her to crawl, stand, and walk, but make sure you supervise your child’s movement.
It is not wrong to set limits. Your child should learn the word “no.” Use the word when your baby is about to do something that might be dangerous for them. Walk around with your child while holding their hands so he or she can learn how to move on two feet.
Feeding at 9 months
Feeding babies can be a little complicated but this is one of the discussions among women. But not many have this opportunity. So, if you wonder what to feed your baby at 9 months, here is a little hint:
First hint
Continue the homemade or jarred baby food your child already likes, but now in new ways! Let’s say you have been spooning a jar of peas into their mouth. This time, attempt to stir the peas into mashed potatoes or tiny cooked pasta.
Time to be creative
It is easy to find prepackaged finger foods for babies, but you should use them sparingly because they contain extra sugar and preservatives. Once your baby masters this food, you can begin to get more adventurous. Try a new meal one at a time and ensure you watch out for allergies.
Here are some sample meals you can serve your little one!
Breakfast
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes or waffles
- Eggs
Lunch
For lunch, try out the following:
- Grilled cheese
- Yogurt: Stick to unsweetened yogurt
- Sandwich
- Soup
Dinner
Much consideration must be taken into account for dinner, so consider
- Baked potato
- Pasta/rice/couscous
- Lasagna
Remember this…
No doubt babies are different so, they will act in their own time! Your child may not crawl right now while other babies may go straight to walking. Know that babies have distinct crawling styles.
Also, at this age is the time to build the foundation of your child’s eating habits; you have got to make it healthy, tasty, and convenient! Ensure all these, and your child will be on the way to a lifetime of a great meal. You can consult your doctor if you are worried about your baby’s development.