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9-Month Baby Developmental Milestones

No two children develop, grow and learn in the same way or at the same pace. However, children do develop in certain predictable ways. Listed below are common developmental milestones for 9-month-old babies.

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Watch this video to see milestones and stages of development for 9-month-old babies and get ideas on how you can support a baby’s healthy development.

moving icon Moving - Physical or Motor Development

  • Gets in and out of sitting position, and sits well without support.
  • Creeps or crawls.
  • Pulls to stand and stands, holding on.
  • Begins to take steps while holding on to furniture (cruising).

talking icon Talking - Communication and Language Development

  • Makes sounds like "bababa," "dadada," "mamama."
  • Understands "no."
  • Copies gestures such as nodding head for "yes" and shaking head for "no."
  • Points at things.

interacting icon Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

  • Shows feelings by smiling, crying and pointing.
  • Prefers certain toys.
  • Clings to familiar adults.
  • Cries when you leave and is shy around strangers.
  • Responds to own name.

thinking icon Thinking - Cognitive Development

  • Watches an object as it falls.
  • Looks for objects hidden while watching.
  • Transfers things smoothly from hand to hand.
  • Plays peek-a-boo.
  • Uses thumb and index finger to pick things up, such as cereal o’s.
  • Turns pages in a book.
  • Puts things in mouth.

Resources

Help Me Grow has a variety of resources that can help you support the healthy development of a 9-month-old baby. Learn more about Infant and Toddler Intervention and Preschool Special Education services and discover other resources available to you.

Encouraging Healthy Development for a 9-Month-Old

Ideas that can help you support the development of a 9-month-old baby.

Help Me Grow Articles

Articles that help you support the healthy development of a child.

Resources Directory

A directory of services provided for families of children with disabilities.

baby girl playing in grass

If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, do not hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

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