Month 9

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 19 pounds and is 28 inches long

- If the baby is held in a standing position he will attempt to take steps by placing one foot in front of the other

Mental Developments:

- the baby will understand simple orders and instructions

- the baby will shake his head 'no' if he wishes not to comply with orders

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby will continue to reach for objects and grab whatever he can reach

- the baby will be particularly interested in small objects

Social Development:

- the baby does not like being confined and will oppose being placed in a crib or strapped in to a stroller, etc.

Week 36

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 19 ¼ pounds and is 28 ¼ inches long

- the baby is now fully capable of sitting up by himself and standing with the aid of an object to hold on to

- the baby may stand and play with a toy without the aid of something to balance himself

Mental Developments:

- the baby's memory is improving and he can easily recall past events

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby will attempt to pickup larger objects with both hands

Social Development:

- the baby will continue to feed himself food and is getting more astute at it

- the baby will show displeasure and fuss when an object he wants is taken away from him

- the baby shows a desire to be near his parents and play with them

Week 37

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 19 ½ pounds and is 28 ¼ inches long

- the baby's crawling skills are greatly improved. He is able to hold on to an object and crawl with it in his hand. He can also turn around and look behind himself while crawling

Mental Developments:

- the baby is able to search for and find toys that have been hidden from him

- the baby will now enjoy looking at books and being read to more. He will show interest in the pages

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby will show great improvements in motor control and dexterity. He will handle objects and grip them tightly; sometimes hitting them together

Social Development:

- the baby drinks from cups and is able to do so with out spilling

- the baby has favorite toys that he selects to play with

- It is not uncommon for babies to get over their fear of strangers only to then gain new fears. The baby may exhibit signs that show he is afraid of water, new places, animals, etc.

- the baby may begin to display the fact that he is shy. With some reassurance from the mother and other familiar people, the baby will be more outgoing

Week 38

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 19 ¾ pounds and is 28 ½ inches long

- the baby is able to take a few steps unsupported and is able to walk when someone holds his hand

Mental Developments:

- the baby is increasingly aware of vertical space now that he is standing and walking. He may stare upwards and look at the sky

- the baby will become bored with repetition and things that he may have enjoyed in the past. He is looking for new experiences and challenges

- the baby is able to recognize a wider array of words and respond to them

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby will now reach for and pick up objects by pinching them between his thumb and index fingers

Social Development:

- the baby is now able to evaluate and respond to the moods of other people

- the baby will attempt to initiate playing games or reading with others

- the baby may show anger and frustration when he is told 'no'

Week 39

Physical Developments:

- the baby now weighs 20 pounds and is 28 ½ inches long

- the baby begins to crawl up stairs and will try to climb up on to objects such as chairs and sofas

Mental Developments:

- the baby can now follow simple instructions and his understanding of words is increasing more rapidly than his own vocabulary

Senses and Reflex Development:

- the baby continues to further develop his walking skills

Social Development:

- the baby will demonstrate more outgoing behavior, showing off actions that he has learned. He will respond to a favorable reaction by performing the actions again

- the baby may become protective of what he sees as his and of himself

- the baby's range of emotions increases

The baby is now able to move himself from a prone to sitting position without help. His motor skills are continuing to develop - hand-eye coordination is becoming more and more accurate, and dexterity is increasing. The mother may also begin to notice that the baby is developing a preference for the use of one hand over the other. Which hand is dominant can be tested by handing the baby toys and observing which hand he more often uses to accept it.

The baby will now also respond to his own name and has a vocabulary that contains both vowel and consonant sounds. The baby will have been practicing and likely mastered the rhythms and tones of language. The baby is also still imitating noises that he hears people around him make. This is his attempt to learn language.

As the baby grows physically and cognitively, limits and restrictions on his actions will become ever more important. The mother must begin to impose limits. Limits can be imposed by moving the baby, saying 'no' in an authoritative tone, and diverting the baby's attention elsewhere.

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