9 Month Old Well Child Check

Please click here to download the 9 month developmental assesment form that you will need to complete and bring with you to your child's appointment. Due to copyright laws the forms are password protected, the password is child.

Nutrition

FEEDINGS

Milk - Human milk and/or commercially prepared formula are still required. Although your infant may be less interested in the breast or bottle as solids are introduced, she should be drinking around twenty-four ounces per day. Try to introduce a cup before the age of one. It is best if your infant is weaned off the bottle by twelve to fifteen months.

Solids - By nine months your infant should be eating a variety of pureed foods including cereals, fruits, vegetables, and meats. These should be given as three meals a day and on a regular schedule. Be sure to avoid those foods mentioned in our feeding handout.

Finger Foods - Finger foods will be of interest to your baby as hand-eye coordination develops. These finger foods should be small and soft to avoid choking. Do not give your baby foods that could cause choking, such as nuts, popcorn, carrot sticks, whole grapes, raisins, whole beans, hard candy, tough meat, hot dogs or chunks of peanut butter.

VITAMINS

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplementing exclusively breastfed babies with vitamin D. One such supplement, Poly-vi-sol, can be purchased over the counter; give one dropperful daily. Nursing mothers should continue their prenatal vitamins. Formula fed infants receive adequate vitamin supplement from commercially prepared formula.

FLOURIDE

Fluoride is very important for the development of your child's teeth and it is recommended to begin fluoride supplements at six months of life. Fluoride is not in formula or human milk and must come through water or supplements. Although most municipal water supplies add fluoride, some do not. If you are uncertain, you can check with your local utility company.

Development

At this age most infants:

Look for hidden toy
Throw toys or objects
Feed self finger foods such as cereal
Imitate sounds like "ooh" and "ahh".
Pull themselves to a standing position and may begin to cruise around furniture
Go from a sitting to lying position
Act happy or sad just like Mom and Dad
Understand a simple direction and sometimes do it (and sometimes pay no attention to it)
Wave bye-bye; crawl or scoot around well
Repeat sounds you make.

Indicators for concern:

Unable to sit by self
Difficulty picking up objects
Not imitating or babbling

Please complete the developmental assesment forms.

Vaccinations

At this visit, your child is scheduled to receive the Hepatitis B immunization.

Common Issues and Concerns

MEDICATIONS

To see information on Acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosage, click here. Remember to always dose based on the weight of your child.

SLEEP

(Helpful hints for preventing problems)

Infants should be sleeping through the night. If not, please review previous recommendations.
Development of a predictable bedtime ritual is important.
Once in bed, your child should stay there. Try to ignore protests and leave the room.
Limit naps to two hours or less.

WALKING

Legs, feet and shoes - Please see A Guide to the Foot and Leg and the handout on shoes.

EATING HABITS

It is quite common for eating habits to be variable at this age. Provide a well-balanced diet, but be patient and do not force feed.

DENTAL CARE

Brush your baby's teeth with a soft brush each day . Pleae see handout on Tooth Decay, Prevention.

DISCIPLINE

Distraction and redirection works well as a discipline for a young child. Be patient.

SAFETY

Your infant is becoming more mobile and constant supervision and safety precautions are critical. Please review the the advice on Healthychildren.org.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Make sure you are using your car seat correctly at all times.
Know and be prepared to use CPR.
Never leave your baby unattended.
Do not use a baby walker. Walkers can cause injury and delay learning and development.
Install safety devices on drawers, low cabinets, gates at the top and bottom of stairs, and safety devices on windows
Latex balloons are a dangerous choking hazard - do not let your infant play with balloons
Keep small objects out of reach.
Check the thermostat on your hot water heater and set at 120 degrees or lower.
Lower your baby's mattress as he pulls to stand.
Never leave cords within baby's reach.
Be patient and do not scold.
Play with your baby.