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6 To 9 Months - Your Baby Begins To Explore His World

During this time your baby is continuing to learn about his world. He will probably start to crawl around and may pull up on furniture. Make sure his world is safe.

SAFETY FIRST!

  • Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic inserts.
  • Lock away cleaning products and medicines.
  • Make sure he can't pull things over on to himself.
  • Pick up small items that could choke him.
  • Keep the bathroom door closed and the lid down on the toilet.
  • Place child safety latches on drawers & cabinet doors.
  • Watch him carefully! Major accidents can occur in seconds so don't leave him unsupervised.

Things Your Baby May Do At This Age

Sit up without help

Stand up while holding onto your hands

Stand up on your lap and bounce

Fuss if you take something away from him

Recognize a familiar voice

Eat a cracker by himself

Play pat-a-cake

Play with his hands and feet

Hint:

Literacy (being able to read and communicate) begins now! Your child needs to be held, talked to and given a calm, loving home.

Provide cloth or cardboard books for your child.

Special Note

He may be afraid of strangers and not want you to leave him. If you must leave him, remember to say "good-bye" and remind him that you will come back. He still has to learn that objects-out-of-sight will appear again.

If you need child care, be sure that your child receives quality care. Your child's caregiver should be providing age appropriate activities for your child as well as a safe & loving atmosphere.

LOTS OF FUN!

Play games with your baby like:

  • One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
  • Peek-a-Boo
  • This Little Piggie Went to Market
  • Pat-a-Cake

Start A Healthy Teeth Habit Now!

After meals, first teeth can be wiped with a clean, damp cloth or brushed with a very soft, tiny infant toothbrush moistened with water. Avoid toothpaste until he learns to spit it out. It could make him sick.

stethoscopeHEALTH HINTS:

Well Baby Check-ups: 6 months, 9 months

Things You Can Do Everyday To Help Your Baby Grow

Read to him daily. Show him pictures in books and point to and name the people, as well as other things in the picture books.

Roll a ball to him. As he grows and gets used to the game, he will try to roll the ball back to you.

Hide a ball or other object under a blanket while he is watching you and let him find it. He will learn that objects out-of-sight don't disappear forever.

Give him a metal pan and show him how to bang on it.  Let him have fun making the sounds.

Place him on the floor on his stomach. Encourage him to move toward you by clapping your hands and laughing. Crawling is needed to develop other skills.

Place round oat cereal on his highchair tray and let him practice picking it up and putting it in his mouth. His eye and hand muscles will get strong and begin to work together.

Let him practice dropping unbreakable things like soft balls over the side of the bed or high chair in order to learn what happens when he drops something.