Baby Milestones

Your month-by-month companion

Month 9

Pulling to stand and cruising begin. The 9-month well visit includes developmental screening.

Quick Reference

Sleep

12-15 hours

Feeding

24-32 oz (710-950 ml) milk + 3 solid meals

Naps

2 naps

Wake Window

3-3.5 hours

Talk to your doctor if baby...

•Does not bear weight on legs with support
•Does not sit with help
•Does not babble (mama, baba, dada)
•Does not play interactive games
•Does not respond to own name
•Does not seem to recognize familiar people
•Does not look where you point
ExpectedWhat most babies do
  • •Get to sitting position independently
  • •Sit without support
  • •Crawl (creeping, scooting, or traditional)
  • •Pull to standing while holding furniture
  • •Move objects from hand to hand
  • •Look for things you hide (object permanence solid)
  • •Make sounds like mamamama and babababa
  • •Look when you call their name
VariesWhat some babies do
  • •Cruise along furniture
  • •Stand momentarily without support
  • •Use pincer grasp reliably
  • •Point at objects
  • •Understand simple words (no, bye-bye)

What's Next

Month 10 · Month 10 brings more confident cruising, possibly first steps with support, and increased understanding of simple words.