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9 months

Your 9-month-old: what to plan this month

Finger foods, stair gates and the first birthday on the horizon.

Every baby develops at their own pace. These pages cover planning and play — for questions about growth or development, talk to your pediatrician.

Many babies are crawling or pulling up by now. Keep meals simple with soft finger foods, and use the calm moments to sketch out the first birthday.

What to plan this month

  • Fit stair gates and anchor furniture
  • Offer soft finger foods at family mealsFinger-sized sticks are easiest to hold.
  • Start a guest list and date for the first birthdayOur party planner builds a countdown.
  • Check the car seat still fitsStay in each stage for as long as the seat allows.

Play ideas for this month

More play ideas

Picnic tummy time

  • 0–9 months
  • 15 min
  • Outdoors
  • Low mess

Tummy time in the fresh air on a picnic blanket.

  • Moving
  • Senses

You’ll need

  • Blanket
How to play
  1. Spread a blanket in the shade.
  2. Place your baby on their tummy for short stretches.
  3. Lie down facing them and chat.

Play safely: Stay with your baby, keep them shaded and out of direct sun.

Story time snuggle

  • 0–36 months
  • 10 min
  • Indoors
  • Low mess

Share a board book — chewing it counts too.

  • Words & sounds

You’ll need

  • Board books
How to play
  1. Snuggle up with a board book.
  2. Point to pictures and name them.
  3. Let your baby turn the pages, even if it’s out of order.

Narrated walk

  • 0–36 months
  • 30 min
  • Outdoors
  • Low mess

Talk through everything you see on a walk around the block.

  • Words & sounds
  • Senses

You’ll need

Nothing but you

How to play
  1. Head out with the stroller or carrier.
  2. Name what you see: trees, dogs, cars, clouds.
  3. Pause to let them look, touch a leaf or listen to a bird.

Printables for this month