Well Check-Up / 9 Months
FEEDING
At this age, most babies continue to nurse 2-4 times a day or take approximately 24 oz. of formula a day, along with 2-3 meals per day. Fruits, vegetables, iron-fortified infant cereals and soft or pureed meats are good choices 1-2 times a day. Although breastmilk or formula remains important, babies can have cheese and yogurt also. Many babies will enjoy chunkier, more textured food at this age, along with some finger foods, such as cheerios or small pieces of soft fruits and vegetables. Avoid table foods baby could choke on, including anything that requires much chewing, such as most meats. Continue to avoid honey until after 1 year. Encourage the use of a cup for water, but avoid sweetened liquids. Babies do not need fruit juice unless they are constipated.
SLEEPING
Most babies at this age will still take 2 naps a day and will sleep all night for as long as 12 hours. Some babies will begin to have some separation anxiety during this period that makes going to sleep or staying asleep more difficult, even if they have been sleeping well for several months. Try to develop a regular bedtime routine with the same activities at the same time each evening before bed. Also resist the urge to rock or hold your baby until he or she is fully asleep each night, as babies need to learn to put themselves to sleep. Parents can put their babies to bed and allow them to fuss for a few minutes before going in to check and make sure they are still ok, without picking them up and then try to wait a little longer before going in again to make sure everything is ok. This strategy often helps babies learn to go to sleep on their own. If your baby begins often to wake herself up in the night and cry for you, use the same techniques to help her put herself back to sleep.
FEVER/ILLNESS
Fever more than 101 degrees signals an illness in your baby, although this is not automatically an emergency that requires a doctor’s visit. Most viral illnesses last up to 10 days, with fever lasting no more than 3-5 days. If your baby is still having fever after more than 3 days, is not perky or somewhat playful when the fever is down, is not taking liquids or making wet diapers, or is having any difficulty breathing, you should call the office for evaluation.
DEVELOPMENT
Most babies at this age can get to a sitting position without assistance. Crawling is usually mastered sometime between 7 and 10 months, although some babies will skip crawling all together. Cruising (or walking along a table or other furniture) also typically first occurs in this time period, as does standing alone. There is wide variance in when babies take their first steps and walk, with the normal range being between 9 and 15 months. Many nine month olds play peek-a-boo, wave bye-bye, bang two toys together, and use their fingers and thumbs to pick up small objects (the “pincer grasp”). In the next few months, your baby will pay more and more attention to speech and language and probably will say “dada” and “mama” with meaning. Babies of this age often also learn to respond to some simple requests and may use some simple gestures themselves, such as shaking their heads for “no.” Babies are very curious about the world around them at 9 months but still have very short attention spans of just a few minutes. You can help your baby’s development by varying the environment and presenting him with new and different items to explore, including safe items (such as wooden spoons and Tupperware) in low drawers and cabinets. Reading, singing, and naming objects also greatly contribute to cognitive or brain development at this age.
SAFETY
Your baby still needs to ride facing backwards in his car seat until he is 2 years old. If your baby has outgrown his infant carrier seat, an upright backwards-facing seat is important. Avoid baby walkers, as they are associated each year with thousands of injuries when they tip over, and they may actually delay a baby’s learning to walk. A better choice is a stationary “Exersaucer” or a push toy. Make sure that all drawers and cabinets are child-proofed, with all dangerous items removed and safety latches used where necessary. Do not leave babies unattended near water, including bathtubs and toilets. Keep small items that baby might put in his mouth off of the floor. Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls and at the entrance of rooms with furniture or other items that might be dangerous if baby crawled or climbed on them. Do not leave containers of hot liquids or foods near the edge of a table or counter where baby might pull them off. Check smoke detectors regularly to assure they are working properly and have a fire escape plan ready in the event of an emergency. In the event that your child accidentally swallows something that might be dangerous (chemicals, medications, cleaning supplies, etc) call POISON CONTROL 1-800-222-1222.