Baby - Ninth Month

'Development - Ninth Month'

What your baby does at this age:	Raises himself to a sitting position, has good head and body control. Crawls a lot. Grasp and handles objects skillfully. Collects similar objects for play, such as blocks. Understands relationship between certain objects, such as jar and lid or keys and a lock. Understands many words, such as 'shoe', 'cookie', and 'ball'. Understands simple instructions, such as 'bring me...' Shows some new fears, such as fear of loud appliances.
Important Changes:	Your baby wants to stand and walk but probably can't manage it without support yet. He may cruise along the furniture, hanging on as he takes uncertain steps. Your baby vies for your attention and approval and may perform for others. He's sensitive to the feelings of other children, crying when they cry. Your baby has mastered so many skills that he's happy by himself for longer periods, just exploring his environment.
Caring for your baby:	Be sure your house contains no poisonous plants or floral arrangments. Examples include caladium, some philodendron, elephant's ears, narcissus and daffodils. holly and mistletoe berries, and poinsettia leaves. Keep your baby out of the bathroom unless you're there. Be sure the medicine chest is completely out of his reach. Introduce some firmness in your relationship. Don't run to your baby's crib every time he cries at night. Develop clear signals for danger. If your baby tries to climb on the stove, say 'Hot!' in a firm, loud voice. If you see him taking the cap off an electrical outlet, say 'Stop!'. You want him to stop long enough for you to get to him and prevent him from getting hurt. Take your baby to the doctor for his 9-month old visit. This is an important visit for checking his growth and development.