Definition

At 9 months, a typical infant will have certain skills and reach growth markers called milestones.

Alternative Names

Growth milestones for children - 9 months; Childhood growth milestones - 9 months; Normal childhood growth milestones - 9 months; Well child - 9 months

Information

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 has most often reached the following milestones:

• Gains weight at a slower rate, about 15 grams (half an ounce) per day, 1 pound (450 grams) per month
• Increases in length by 1.5 centimeters (a little over one-half inch) 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
• Sits for long periods
• Pulls self to standing position
• Reaches for objects while sitting
• Bangs objects together
• Can grasp objects between the tip of the thumb and index finger
• Feeds self with fingers
• Throws or shakes objects

SENSORY AND COGNITIVE SKILLS

The 9-month-old typically:

• Babbles
• Has separation anxiety and may cling to parents
• 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 goodbye

PLAY

To help the 9-month-old develop:

• Provide picture books.
• Provide different stimuli by going to the mall to see people, or to the zoo to see animals.
• 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.
• Sing songs together.
• Avoid television time until age 2 years.
• Try using a transition object to help decrease separation anxiety.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. 2022 Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022058044. PMID: 35921638 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35921638/.

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Normal development. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 7.

Onigbanjo MT, Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.