If you’re a new parent, you might assume your little one’s growth and development will be slow and gradual. But the first year of life, especially months nine through 12, is filled with exciting milestones.
At Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics, our experienced pediatricians regularly help parents through this transformative period. Keep reading to learn about some of the biggest moments to look for.
New parents often think that skills like speech won’t develop until later into toddlerhood, but that’s rarely the case. At nine months, many babies can respond to their name, use gestures like waving and pointing, and even say simple words like “no” and “bye-bye.” Many babies even start calling their caretakers “mama” or “dada,” even if they don’t necessarily know what those words mean.
Even if your baby isn’t saying words yet, they’re likely cooing, imitating sounds, and making facial expressions. We recommend reading and singing to your baby daily to encourage language development and help them build stronger social connections.
Beyond communication, many babies between nine and 12 months begin exploring movement, such as scooting, crawling, and rolling. You might even notice your infant using furniture or other objects in the room to pull themselves up or stand.
This is also an exciting time for finger and hand movements. For example, you might notice your baby holding toys, picking them up, and banging them together. While this is incredibly exciting, it also presents risks, so it’s a good time to begin babyproofing your space.
As your baby becomes more confident in their body, they’ll begin picking up toys and other objects, watching your actions and mimicking them, and learning about the world around them by placing objects in their mouth. Don’t worry about any of these behaviors. They’re completely natural. Just make sure to keep things as clean as possible to reduce germ exposure.
Between nine and 12 months, babies also begin understanding object permanence, or the concept of hidden objects still existing even when they aren’t in view. It’s this milestone that makes games like peek-a-boo so much fun.
Every baby develops on their own timeline, so if your little one isn’t displaying these skills yet, don’t panic. Even so, certain signs should prompt you to schedule an appointment with our caring team.
For example, if your baby is within this age range and can’t sit without help, doesn’t babble or make new sounds, or appears uninterested in other people or play, we recommend scheduling a developmental screening. This in-office process can help determine if your child has autism or another developmental condition and ensure they have the support they need to thrive.
If your baby is between nine and 12 months old and isn’t meeting certain developmental milestones, make an appointment with our caring pediatricians. We have extensive experience treating developmental delays and can make personalized treatment recommendations. Contact Old Fourth Ward Pediatrics in Atlanta, Georgia, today. Call the office or use the online booking feature to get started.
