Baby Calendar Month 9

As baby explores his world more vertically, you may notice some odd stances and wonder if something is awry. Don't worry babies are often bow-legged or flat footed now. In fact, most children don't develop a discernible arch until age 2 or 3. Don't rush to buy her adorable pink sneakers just yet either. Babies at this age benefit from walking barefooted as long as the floor isn't too slippery or cold. They can balance a bit better and have a better feel when shoes don't interfere.

With the big boost in activity as well as the emergence of separation anxiety, expect some sleep disturbances to crop up about now. Your little one will begin to need less daytime rest, so if he's been taking two naps during the day it's likely he'll shorten one of those until it disappears entirely. At night time, don't be surprised to find a wailing baby standing in the crib. She's probably not crying due to hunger or wetness, although a diaper change might help settle her back down. She just might need a little reassurance you're still in the vicinity and that all is well. Resist the urge to pick her up and whatever you do don't stimulate her with too much activity, light or sound. Instead, rub her back speak softly and help her settle back down as quickly as possible.

To aid with night time crying sessions, start the bedtime routine fifteen to thirty minutes before you want baby to go down for the night. Keep the routine easily repeated, and not too elaborate so that a substitute caregiver can mimic the routine if needed. Integrate a lovey into the proceedings. It could be a stuffed animal, a blanket or some other safe to sleep with object. If you are wise, you'll have a duplicate of it for those worst case scenario situations. Baby will not appreciate you washing the object too much because it will have picked up baby's own scent and that's part of the lovey's charm.

Well Baby Visit

Baby should have a doctor's visit this month, but if he got his shots at six months, don't expect any more immunizations until his first birthday. The possible exception would be a flu shot. Discuss this option with your pediatrician.

At the well baby check the doctor will check your baby's weight and height and chart her growth progress. The physician will note the baby's vitals, and ask questions about baby's eating and sleeping habits, and developmental skills. The doctor may look at baby's muscle tone and check to see if the soft spot has closed or nearly closed now. You'll probably get some advice on carseat safety, babyproofing and answer any questions you may have. A rudimentary check of vision and hearing will also be done most likely.

Tips for Mom and Dad

It may seem a bit early, but this is the perfect time for you to start practicing your discipline techniques with baby. It begins with the simple word, “No.” First, use it wisely. If you use it all the time it loses all power. If you do it and then giggle at baby's antics, you rob it of its power by sending a mixed message. Use the word no to establish definite limits and boundaries for your child. Use a firm and give it a little more volume. No need to yell or frighten your child. Expect to repeat it...a lot. And expect to be mimicked a great deal, too. Don't expect the word no to work magic. Other tips include distraction, changing the scenery if baby can't seem to grasp what's off limits, and the biggest tip of all is to use praise when baby listens and does what you want. Give baby a big hug, smile and a little high-five to motivate her to do the right thing.

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Comments

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katie

08/17/2010 3:26 am

I also have a daugther who is 9months and yestrday she did her four steps. she also crawled by 5 months and talk mama and baba from 41/2 to 5months. she climb the stair as if she was born to do that and when she reach the top so fat she know what she done and is so please with her self that a the top she crawls from one side of the room to the other in exitment and laughs. she loves books and if you stop reading to her go go into tantrum and if you adk her do you want to read more? she goes uhm. so is very intresting and also unbelievebly funny watching her understand more than i would thing baby her age would. she starts calling her brother ra-ra as his name is randell and shouts for my second son eot which is elliott. she say many things like baba, aba, mama, ama, pa, ta. she gives me thing when ask . she gives kisses when ask and kiss caracters in books. it is very sweet to watch. i try to talk to her in diffrent laungvages as well as we are very bilingual family and she seems to understand bits from each launguage. i think the more time you spend with them they learn very fast. she can throw ball and is aware when she atch her hand how it works. as i said i could watch her every minute. she suprise me every time. good luck with your baba and i sure she is very intelligent little girl.

Tiffany

12/18/2008 8:55 pm

My baby just turned 7 months and well its true all babies are different. my daughter has been crawling since she was at the end of 5 months also sitting up then going into a crawling position, back into a sitting position. when she was about 6 1/2 months she out of the blue one day stood up in her crib then the next day used the couch and me to stand up. she is now 7 months and can do all that and more like she stands up unsupported for about 5-10 sec. before she falls down. also she will eat just about anything and grabs it on her own like gerber puffs.alot of people think my daughter might be advanced because she so intelligent and since 5 months has been saying mama and dada. she does anything that a 9-12 month old does.so i think that by encouraging your child to do things and playing with them all the time will help them reach their milestones early or extremely early like my daughter. but they do what they want when they want, just let them take there time. they will get there good luck

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