All children develop a little differently. If you are concerned about your child's development, talk to your child's health care provider.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTOR SKILLS

A 9 month old generally has reached the following milestones:

• Gains weight at a slower rate -- approximately 15 grams per day, 1 pound per month
• Increases in length by 1.5 centimeters per month
• Bowel and bladder become more regular
• Puts hands forward when the head is pointed to the ground (parachute reflex) to protect self from falling
• Is able to crawl
• Remains sitting for long periods
• Pulls self to standing position
• Has a pincer grasp between thumb and index finger
• Feeds self with fingers
• Throws or shakes objects

SENSORY AND COGNITIVE SKILLS

The 9 month old typically:

• Is developing depth perception
• Understands that objects continue to exist, even when they are not seen (object constancy)
• Responds to simple commands
• Responds to name
• Understands the meaning of "no"
• Imitates speech sounds
• May be afraid of being left alone
• Plays interactive games, such as peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
• Waves bye

PLAY

To aid the development of the 9 month old:

• Provide picture books
• Provide different stimuli:
  • Go to the mall (people)
  • Go to the zoo (animals)
• Play ball
• Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objects in the environment
• Teach hot and cold through play
• Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking
• Control the type and amount of television watched

Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 8.