Growth

Size

• I am still growing quickly and will probably gain about 450 to 600 grams (1 to 1½ pounds) a month.

Teeth

• Teething usually begins around 6 months old and will continue until I am 2 to 3 years old.
• My front bottom teeth will probably come through first, followed by my top front teeth.
• I might be fussy and cranky when I am teething and I will probably drool a lot of saliva. I might not be very hungry.
• You can help me by letting me chew on a clean teething ring or damp washcloth.
• Do not use teething gel, ice cubes, teething biscuits or soft foods to help me teethe. I could choke on these things.
• Talk to my dentist or doctor if my gums become red and sore or if I get a fever or diarrhea when I am teething.
• You can clean my mouth by wiping my teeth and gums with a clean washcloth or gauze every day.

Development

Movement

• I can hold my own bottle and can grab my feet.
• I can reach for objects and hold them in each hand.
• I can pass objects from hand to hand and from hand to mouth.
• I can sit with support and, in time, can sit without support.
• I will support my whole weight on my legs when you hold me in a standing position and will probably bounce on my legs.
• I can roll from my back to my front and front to my back.
• I might start crawling or moving some other way, like pushing myself backwards on my stomach or bum.
• By 9 months, I can probably pull my self up to a standing position and can stand by holding on to furniture.

Language

• Say my name when you talk to me. It is how I learn my own name and the names of people in my family.
• I like music, singing and playing simple games like pat-a-cake.
• I can tell when you are happy, sad or angry by the sound of your voice.
• I can make simple consonant sounds, like “da” and “ba” and might babble chains of consonants.
• I like to imitate sounds that people make, like a cough, tongue click or growl.
• I like when you copy the sounds and movements I make.
• I cry to get attention.
• I still squeal and babble.
• I can use my voice to show that I am happy or unhappy.
• I will respond when I hear the word “no.”
• If I do not babble or make sounds, take me to a Speech Language Pathologist.

Vision and Hearing

• I can now see every color.
• I like to drop toys and then look to see where they have landed.
• I will look for toys or other objects that are hidden.
• I can find the source of sounds that I hear.
• I might get ear infections. If I seem to be having trouble hearing, take me to a doctor as soon as possible.