Mercy Network
Mercy Family Clinic
Pediatric and Adolescent
Nine Months
Big changes have occurred by nine months of age. She is likely able to get around on her own . She has developed an efficient way to pick up small objects and get them to her mouth. She is beginning to develop a mind of her own. Her hesitancy to let you out of her sight may complicate your life.
Development and Behavior
- Increasing mobility often leads to the need for explicit disciplinary rules.
- Distraction and diversion are typically successful disciplinary measures at this age. It is easier to change the environment than the child’s behavior.
- Your child is likely to cry when you leave her presence. This does not mean that she is “spoiled”. Short or regular parent-child separations are helpful in teaching her that when you go away, you will return.
- Because of “separation anxiety” it is difficult to begin child care at this age.
- Sibling rivalry may increase when your infant begins to crawl or walk and gains access to the toys and play space of her sibling.
- Encourage your infants language development by imitating her sounds. Talk about what you are doing as you go about your activities of daily living.
Nutrition
- Continue to breastfeed or use iron-fortified formula for the entire first year of your infant’s life.
- Continue to give the breastfeeding infant 400 IU’s of vitamin D and iron supplements daily
- Encourage your infant to drink from a cup.
- Offer table foods, such as potatoes, soft carrots and peas, noodles, and fruits, as well as pureed foods.
- Most babies this age have mastered the “pincer grasp” and enjoy the challenge of feeding themselves finger foods.
- Avoid giving foods that may be aspirated or cause choking, such as peanuts, popcorn, hot dogs or sausages, raw carrot or celery sticks, whole grapes, raisins, corn, whole beans, hard candy, large pieces of raw vegetables or fruit, or tough meats.
- While eating, infants should be seated in a high chair and watched by an adult at all times. Do not allow her to play or move about with a mouth full of food.
- Increasing diversity of foods leads to variation in stooling patterns.
- In many cases, constipation can be relieved by dietary changes, such as increases in eating certain fruits and vegetables. Prunes, plums, pears, and apricots tend to have a laxative effect. Apples and bananas tend to have binding effects.
- Do not put him to bed with a bottle or prop it in his mouth.
- Clean the infant’s teeth with a soft brush without toothpaste.
Sleep Patterns
- Most 9 month old infants take 2 daytime naps and sleep through the night.
- Some babies who previously slept through the night may begin waking up during the night.
- Establish a regular bedtime. Providing a familiar or favorite toy may help some infants fall back asleep.
- Do not feed or play with your baby if he awakens during the night.
- Brief periods of crying will encourage him to settle himself and resume sleep.
Injury Prevention
- Take precautions to prevent injury from falls caused by the your infant’s increased mobility. Use gates at stairwells and install safety devices on windows and screens.
- Heavy or hot containers should be kept out of reach.
- As children pull themselves up onto furniture, they may grab and accidentally pull down tablecloths or other objects.
- Keep in a secure place sharp objects such as knives, scissors, tools, razor blades, and other hazardous items such as coins, glass objects, beads, pins, art objects, and medications.
- Place plastic plugs in electrical sockets and prevent your infant from playing with extension cords.
- Do not store toxic substances such as cleaning fluids, drain cleaners, and paint thinner in empty soda bottles, glasses, or jars.
- Keep toxic substances out of reach of your child.
- Guns in the home are a danger to the family. Guns and ammunition should be locked up in separate locations.
- The infant car seat should be upgraded to a toddler car restraint when the infant weighs 20 lb.