Baby’s developmental milestones between 6 and 9 months of age

The emotional lows are getting lower and highs are getting higher at this age as your baby displays an ever expanding array of emotions. Those may include shyness or fear around strangers and immense joy when interacting with people she knows.

Tracking objects, following their path starts at this period of life. Also fine motor skills like picking up smaller objects with her index finger and thumb.

Our free Tummy Time app supports these milestones also with a simple feature: tapping to leave leafs for the caterpillar to eat, which makes it change directions. Children learn to use their index finger and track and follow the caterpillar as it has a snack.

Full list of milestones for this period is:

Social/Emotional Milestones

• Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers 
• Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
• Looks when you call her name 
• Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries) 
• Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
• Might be afraid of strangers
• Has favourite toys that she reaches for often

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
• Bangs two things together
• Likes to play peek-a-boo and look for things you hide
• Tracks objects as they fall
• Moves things from one hand to the other, and likes to put objects in her mouth
• Picks up small objects with her thumb and index finger

Language/Communication Milestones

• Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
• Lifts arms up to be picked up
• Pointing at things with his fingers
• Understands the word “no” and makes lots of different sounds
• He’ll start to copy movements he sees and sounds he hears

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

• Gets to a sitting position by herself
• Moves things from one hand to her other hand
• Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself 
• Sits without support
• Pulls up (using furniture for support) to stand.
• Starting to crawl

Please keep in mind that this is not medical advice. These developmental milestones are what 75% of children are capable of at this age. If your child does not achieve these milestones at this time, please do not be alarmed. Remember that you know your child best and if you do feel there is something wrong please contact your medical professional.

CDC Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-9mo.html
UNICEF Source: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-development/your-babys-developmental-milestones-9-months