I  am now 6 to 9 months old. I have my own unique personality and my own way of doing things. I may do some things before other babies and I may do some things after them. Be patient. I will get there in my own time.

The most important thing you can do is to be warm, loving and responsive to me. This will help my brain develop and shape the way I learn, think and behave for the rest of my life. I also need you to take care of yourself. If you feel unhappy or have negative feelings, please talk to family, friends or your doctor.

To help you know what to expect, here are some common milestones that most babies reach between 6 and 9 months old.

Milestones:

• understands common words when used with gestures e.g. "bye, bye", "up", "give me" and own name
• tries to say sounds and words - "ba, ba", "na, na"
• tries to sing along with radio/tv
• laughs and may imitate a cough

Warning Signs:

• are you concerned about your child's responsiveness or babbling?
• does your child have recurrent ear infections?

Questions?

If you have any questions concerning your child’s healthy growth and development, please contact your community health nurse at your local health unit office.