Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • Suitable for 3-18Months

At nine months

 

The 9th month

By the end of this month, your baby:

 … should be able to:

  • work to get to a toy out of reach
  • look for dropped object

… will probably be able to:

  • pull up to standing position from sitting 
  • get into a sitting position from stomach 
  • object if you try to take a toy away
  • stand holding onto someone or something
  • pick up tiny object with any part of thumb and finger 
  • say mama or dada indiscriminately
  • play peekaboo

… may possibly be able to:

  • play pat-a-cake (clap hands) or wave bye-bye
  • walk holding onto furniture (cruise)
  • understand word ‘no’ (but not always obey it)

… may even be able to:

  • ‘play ball’ (roll ball back to you)
  • drink from a cup independently
  • pick up a tiny object neatly with tips of thumb and forefinger
  • stand alone momentarily
  • stand alone well
  • say mama or dada indiscriminately
  • say one word other than mama or dada
  • respond to a one-step command with gestures (give that to me – with hand out)
Children grow and develop at different rates. The information above is offered as a guide. There is no need to expect your child's development to fit with all the above descriptions. If you are in any way worried about your child's development, it's best to speak with your doctor or child health nurse.