Note: All weights and lengths are approximate; each baby is unique. These figures are just general ranges.
Communication and social development
A big new development is that the nine-month-old baby knows that things are still there even if they’ve disappeared from her range of vision – not only toys and food, but also parents and caregivers. When this realization sinks in, baby has an easier time being left with a babysitter without going into a panic.
Senses and motor skills
If you put a spoon in baby’s hand, she can guide it to her mouth. This tricky piece of coordination will continue to improve over the next months. But the nine-month-old will enjoy practicing feeding herself and is ready to graduate to a sippy cup.
Some babies are off and crawling. This crawling can take many forms – on the belly, on hands and knees, some combination. Babies whose homes have a lot of hardwood floors or tiles may take to the “sitting crawl,” which is aided by a slippery surface. A very small percentage of babies never crawl and instead just start immediately walking. And some don’t walk till well after 15 months. All of these things are normal, and don’t let anyone tell you that they reflect on your child’s intelligence or future agility.
Interests and activities
If she has a firm grip on you, her crib or playpen, your baby may now enjoy bouncing up and down to music while standing. She also may find it infinitely fascinating to carry around things in boxes or bags, take them out, and put them back in again. Anything that is bright and noisy is entertaining, including crumpled-up pages of a magazine.