What's the baby up to?
Growth points
Walking is a major developmental milestone. Each baby walks at a different age and it can happen anytime between 9 and 15 months. Walking is often the step after crawling and cruising have been mastered.
Putting shoes on baby that is learning to walk could get in her way. Let your baby be barefoot if possible when she is crawling and cruising.
Let your baby walk barefoot on different surfaces like grass, sand, tiles and carpet. This will be fun for her and will also teach her what different surfaces feel like.
You don’t have to hold your baby’s hand while she tries to walk, rather let her find her own balance.
Put your hands on her waist to keep her upright and then encourage her to walk.
If your baby is not showing an interest in walking by 15 months, talk to the doctor.
Month 9 Milestones
By month 9 most babies will:
Other stuff to think about
Your first aid kit
Every family should have a well stocked first aid kit. It makes sense have one handy in your car too. The kits should always be kept away from the kids. If you decide to make your own kit, an empty ice-cream container works well for storing it all neatly. Here's what to stock up on:
Go back to the complete list of Baby week-by-week updates.
Growth points
Walking is a major developmental milestone. Each baby walks at a different age and it can happen anytime between 9 and 15 months. Walking is often the step after crawling and cruising have been mastered.
Putting shoes on baby that is learning to walk could get in her way. Let your baby be barefoot if possible when she is crawling and cruising.
Let your baby walk barefoot on different surfaces like grass, sand, tiles and carpet. This will be fun for her and will also teach her what different surfaces feel like.
You don’t have to hold your baby’s hand while she tries to walk, rather let her find her own balance.
Put your hands on her waist to keep her upright and then encourage her to walk.
If your baby is not showing an interest in walking by 15 months, talk to the doctor.
Month 9 Milestones
By month 9 most babies will:
- Pick up small objects using the thumb and forefinger
- Bear weight on legs when held upright
- Pass an object from one hand to another
- Begin to understand the meaning of words
- Understand simple phrases such as "baba" and "bye-bye"
- Babble loudly
- Clearly distinguish strangers from familiar people; clings to known adult and hides face
- Look for dropped objects
- Attempt to get to a toy out of reach
Other stuff to think about
Your first aid kit
Every family should have a well stocked first aid kit. It makes sense have one handy in your car too. The kits should always be kept away from the kids. If you decide to make your own kit, an empty ice-cream container works well for storing it all neatly. Here's what to stock up on:
- 3 x 50mm roller bandages
- 3 x 75mm roller bandages
- 2 x triangular bandages
- Gauze dressing: 1 dry and 1 paraffin-coated
- 1 bottle Dettol / Savlon (50ml)
- 2 x small wound dressings
- 2 x medium wound dressings
- 2 x large wound dressings
- 1 roll adhesive tape (1m x 2.5cm)
- 1 pair bandage scissors
- Safety pins
- 1 eyebath
- Tweezers
- 1 x burn dressing
- 1 tube antiseptic ointment
- 1 pair disposable gloves
- 1 mouthpiece for administering CPR
- 1 packet assorted plasters
- Paracetamol
- Calamine lotion for soothing skin irritations, sunburn and stings
- Thermometer
- Rehydration fluid such as Sorel or Rehidrat
- Measuring spoons
Go back to the complete list of Baby week-by-week updates.
