WHAT SHOULD SHE EAT?

At 9 months, your baby is raring to go from all fronts! She is now growing fast, and is slowly but gradually becoming very independent. So if she is able enough to eat on her own, by all means, allow her to do so.  This will surely inspire her to work towards more and more independence! And if in the process, she ends up making the eating space around her look like as if a storm has just passed by, you will have to just grin and bear it! Wasted and spilt food all over the place is a small price to pay for your baby’s evolving independence as she grows into a more and more confident eater! She would have started eating solids by now, as she is 9 months old. Feed her foods from all the groups-pulses, rice, wheat, fruits etc.

WHAT WILL SHE DO AT THIS TIME?

She will start vocalizing her first words by now- Mama, Dada are usually what most babies start off with, but it will not be surprising if she starts speaking words that are difficult, like book or engine, although she may have her own ways of saying them. So, book might just become ‘ook’, and engine might become ‘gine’, for all you know! Games that involve mimicking will be favorites with her at this time, so involve her in as many games as you can now. “Pat-a-cake”, “Incy Wincy spider” are rhymes with action that she will love and try to mimic, as you keep singing them out to  her.

WHAT YOU COULD HELP HER DO!

If your baby has already cut some teeth, you could help relieve the pain by rubbing a soft cloth or a cotton gauze every once in a while, and especially after she has eaten her meal. Try to clean her teeth every day, this will be a good habit that you can set into motion. Even brushing her teeth with a special baby brush will help. Ask for a baby brush in the market for ages under one. Take care to see that the bristles are really soft and tender.

HOW MUCH WILL SHE SLEEP!

During this time, even a small disruption in routine will be enough to disturb the sleep of your baby. It could be anything. A short vacation for the family, an overnight guest at your home to an illness in the family could alert her into sensing that there is something wrong, she will awaken more often and will need your comforting. Some parents even state that childhood milestones, such as learning to use the potty or to walk, can also disrupt the baby’s sleeping schedule. In such situations, stay with your baby longer, be there to comfort her till she nods off gently to sleep.

WHAT SHE WILL WEIGH

Your baby is growing well and should be soon topping the double figure scales. If you have not checked her weight recently you will find that her weight curve  has really moved well. There are growth spurts during this phase, so get her weight checked during this time. Usually, your baby should weigh anywhere between 7 and 9 kgs. It all depends on individual growth, so you can consult your doctor on this, to be sure.