All Things Month 9

Information is for month nine of baby’s life.  I am in no way a doctor, medical professional, or even experienced in child care.  This is just information that I have gathered from books, websites, my pediatrician, and hearsay.  The time schedules and suggestion of eat/wake/sleep cycles are from Babywise.  The progression of development is from What to Expect the First Year.  Feeding amounts are the recommendations from my doctor.  Everything else is from various websites and friends.

Feeding/wake/sleeping:

• Baby should have been introduced to pureed vegetables, fruits, cereals, meats, and finger foods.
• At this age, majority of baby’s nutrients should come from food, not liquid.
• Start getting baby used to the sippy cup.  The goal is to have baby off the bottle by one year old.
• Whole milk can start to replace formula, but only if it is drank from a sippy cup.
• The first and last feeding of the day are the two strategic feedings.
  • It doesn’t matter what schedule your baby is on, all other feed-wake-sleep cycles will fall within those two “fixed” feeding times.
  • Need to remain consistent
• Between 24 and 39 weeks, the 5 feeding cycles will merge into 4
  • Evening nap is eliminated
  • Afternoon nap may be shortened to a catnap if needed
    • Will be eventually eliminated, and cycles can range between 3.5 to 4.5 hours each day
  • Below is an example schedule

• Between 28 and 40 weeks, the 4 feeding cycles will merge into 3
  • The afternoon nap (third nap) is dropped
  • Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a liquid feeding at bedtime
  • Below is an example schedule

By the end of month nine, baby may be able to:

• Get into sitting position from tummy
• Work to get an out of reach toy
• Respond to name
• Smile at self in mirror
• Follow your gaze when you look away
• Understands simple words such as no and bye-bye
• Crawl
• All things from 1-2 weeks
• Things accomplished in month 1
• Things accomplished in month 2
• Things accomplished in month 3
• Things accomplished in month 4
• Things accomplished in month 5
• Things accomplished in month 6
• Things accomplished in month 7
• Things accomplished in month 8

Activities you can do with baby:

• Use pain gelatin or sugar-free Jello.  Follow instructions for a mold, but place a few plastic toys in before placing in fridge.  Once set, let baby dig through the gelatin to find toys.
• Bounce baby on knee with different scenarios.  Smooth road can just move knee side to side.  Bumpy road can bounce baby, and rough road can really jump baby.  You can also do songs.  I like pop goes the weasel and “Giddy up horsey go to town.  Giddy up horsey don’t fall down!”
• Inside the Box
• Hide behind baby and ask, “Where’s (your name)?”  Once baby turns to find you, hide behind a door or other object and ask again.
• Walk baby’s favorite stuffed animal into a box.  Pause for a second and ask where it is, then continue out the other end of the box.
• Where Did It Go?
• Place baby in an empty inflated baby pool.  Put some balls in the pool for baby to crawl after.  This will provide a safe place for baby to crawl around.

• Using a clear container, show baby how to put toys or other objects into the box.  Baby will track the toy into the box and see the box fill up.  Encourage baby to try.  then show baby how to take the items out of the box.
• Baby’s Pantry

• Fill a basket with items baby can safely explore: wash cloth, cosmetic brush, hair brush, loofah, pumice stone… you know, all the things that baby tries to play with when you are using them!
• Allow baby to turn lights on and off when entering or exiting a room.  Baby will learn cause and effect as well as fine motor skills.
• Squirt the Tummy
• Place baby in an empty inflated baby pool.  Instead of filling the pool with water, place some water with a few bath toys in a shallow tub, bin, or pan.  Allow baby to splash and play in the water.
• Cut a small hole in the top of a formula can.  Place a long strand of ribbon in the can with just the end sticking out.  Encourage baby to pull the ribbon out of the can.

• My Little Thumbkin
• Read touch-and-feel books.
• Inside small clear plastic container, place some non-transparent paper around the inside bottom third.  Then place a pom-pom or other small object inside the container.  Allow baby to play with the container.  The pom-pom will tumble in and out of visibility teaching baby about object permanence.  Even though baby can’t see the object, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
• Use porridge oats for edible sand.  Can fill the bottom of a large container for sand play.
• Sticky Situation
• Set up a crawling obstacle course.  This could be pillows on the ground, blanket draped over chairs, or piles of blankets.  We use our ottoman to create a U-tunnel by draping blankets over the top of the ottoman and couch.

• Lay on the floor and allow baby to crawl all over you!  For whatever reason, most babies delight in crawling all over adults.
• Chef Bunny
• Play peek-a-boo, but every time you jump out have a different hat or scarf on.
• Use corn flour and water to create goo (that’s okay to accidentally eat).  Allow baby to play in goo.  This can be done in the bath tub or an inflatable pool to minimize mess.
• Campfire Tales
• Place some glow sticks in the bath tub and have a bath in the dark. (Very close supervision to ensure glow sticks don’t bust or get chewed on!)
• Use minute tapioca pearls to make some edible ooze for baby to play with on top of a mess mat or in an inflatable pool.
• Month 8 Activities
• Month 7 Activities
• Month 6 Activities