Developmental milestones record

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Developmental milestones record - 9 months

Definition

Typical 9-month-old infants are expected to develop certain physical and mental skills. These skills are called developmental milestones.

Alternative Names

Growth milestones for children - 9 months; Childhood growth milestones - 9 months; Normal childhood growth milestones - 9 months; Well child - 9 months

Information

All children develop a little differently. If you are concerned about your child's development, talk to your child's health care provider.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTOR SKILLS

A 9-month-old has most often reached the following milestones:

Gains weight at a slower rate, about 15 grams (half an ounce) per day or 1 pound (450 grams) per month
Increases in length by 1.5 centimeters (a little over one-half inch) per month
Bowel and bladder become more regular
Puts hands forward when the head is pointed to the ground (parachute reflex) to protect self from falling
Is able to crawl
Sits for long periods
Pulls self to standing position
Reaches for objects while sitting
Bangs objects together
Can grasp objects between the tip of the thumb and index finger
Feeds self with fingers
Throws or shakes objects

SENSORY AND COGNITIVE SKILLS

The 9-month-old typically:

Babbles
Has separation anxiety and may cling to parents
Is developing depth perception
Understands that objects continue to exist, even when they are not seen (object constancy)
Responds to simple commands
Responds to name
Understands the meaning of "no"
Imitates speech sounds
May be afraid of being left alone
Plays interactive games, such as peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake
Waves goodbye

PLAY

To help the 9-month-old develop:

Provide picture books.
Provide different stimuli by going to the mall to see people, or to the zoo to see animals.
Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objects in the environment.
Teach hot and cold through play.
Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking.
Sing songs together.
Avoid television time until age 2 years.
Try using a transition object to help decrease separation anxiety.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice & Ambulatory Medicine. 2024 Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care: Policy statement. Pediatrics. 2024;154(1):e2024067201. PMID: 38910527 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38910527/.

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Normal development. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 7.

Onigbanjo MT, Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 23.

Review Date: 10/20/2024
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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