Nine Month Visit
Family and
Parenting
• During the first year
of life, your primary parenting role is to protect your infant. Children,
even very young children, learn by example, so setting a good example is
important. • Describe behaviors you want to encourage. For example say, “Time to sit” instead of “Don’t Stand”.
• Limit the use of “NO” to the most important issues (like the stove or a radiator).
• Distraction and replacing a forbidden object with a toy is a great way to manage behavior in a positive way.
• Consistency among parents and caregivers is important to avoid confusing your baby.
• It is your job to keep your child safe. Never hit, kick, shove, choke or threaten a child. If you are the victim of abuse or violence, ask for help to keep your children safe.
General Tips
• Sleep routines are
very important. The pre-bedtime hour should be affectionate and
nurturing. Disruptions can disturb a child’s sleep patterns. If you
baby is waking in the night, just check on him and settle him back to sleep.
• Your baby may begin to show separation anxiety. This is a sign of his attachment to you. Follow your baby’s cues in new situations.
• Your baby now notices cause and effect and can imitate others. He understands that objects he cannot see still exist. Promote these skills by rolling balls, pushing toy cars, and playing with blocks. Songs with hand gestures and clapping will help her learn to imitate. Peek-a-boo and hide and seek are ways to learn that objects are permanent.
• Children younger than two are too young to watch TV or DVDs or to play with computers.
• Babies can let you know what they want by pointing or turning away. Use simple words and demonstrations with your baby to show him your expectations. This is better than long sentences or a raised voice.
Nutrition
• Your baby will be
working to learn to feed himself. Your job is to introduce nutritious
foods. Your baby will decide how much to eat. • Most nine month olds can be on the same schedule for meals as the rest of the family. Three meals with 2-3 snacks offered during the day will expose your baby to a variety of foods and ensure he receives adequate nutrition.
• Give your baby a variety of textures (pureed, blended, finely chopped, soft lumps) to help her learn to chew. Slowly introduce solid textures and gradually increase table foods. Avoid mixing textures, like broth with vegetables, as this is most difficult for your baby to eat.
• At this age your baby can drink from a cup with help. Avoid sweetened drinks that provide calories and no nutrients. Weaning ages vary from child to child. Children wean from the breast or bottle as they master use of the cup and show increased interest in foods they see their parents eating.
• If you are breastfeeding, at nine months breast milk with complementary food continues to be the best source of nutrition.
Safety
• Make sure the crib
mattress is as low as possible. Remove bumper pads so the baby doesn’t
use them as steps. • Rear facing car seats in the back seat of your vehicle are recommended until your child reaches one year and 20 pounds. If your baby reaches 20 pounds or 26 to29 inches before one year of age, use a convertible seat or infant only seat approved for rear facing to higher weights and heights.
• Use your own safety belt at all times and do not drive when using alcohol or drugs.
• Do not leave heavy objects or hot liquids on tables with tablecloths that can be pulled over.
• Turn handles of pans or dishes so they do not hang over the edge of the stove or tables.
• Keep electrical cords out of your child’s reach.
• Keep furniture away from windows. Install window guards on second and higher story windows.
• Use gates at the top and bottom of your stairs.
• Children should be supervised by an adult at all times when they are near water. Empty buckets, tubs and small pools when not in use.
• We recommend that you never keep a gun in your home. If it is necessary, guns should be stored unloaded and locked. Ammunition should be locked separately from the gun.
• Never smoke, or allow others to smoke, around your baby. Keep your home and car smoke free. If you smoke and want to quit, please ask us for resources to help.
