INFANCY: 9 Month Visit

Getting Ready for this Visit

Write down your questions. Share your baby's new accomplishments and fully participate in this visit as a partner in your child's health.

Children with special needs: Discuss how things are going for you and your child—any concerns, needs, or support services. If your baby is in Early Intervention, bring your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to the visit, mention treatments or visits to specialists.

At this age, your baby may:

• Get on hands and knees and crawl; pull to standing
• Wave bye-bye and play peek-a-boo
• Say a few words like Mama, Dada
• Become shy or fearful with strangers
• Point to objects
• Look at books

What's Important for this Visit

YOUR questions and concerns are the #1 priority! Your health care provider may also discuss:

• Family: discipline (parent expectations, consistency, managing behavior); beliefs about child-rearing; how your family manages; violence or abuse

• Infant independence: changing sleep patterns; mobility (safe exploration, play); learning new things, fear of being away from parents, cause and effect; communication

• Feeding routines: self-feeding; mealtime routines; introducing table foods; drinking from a cup

• Safety: car safety seats; using window guards; preventing burns, drowning, poisoning; guns

The Nine Month Visit: What To Expect

Your health care provider will check your baby from head to toe checking skin, head, eyes, heart, etc.; measure height, weight, and head size; ask questions to see how your child is developing, and ask about changes in your family. Carry out screening tests: development, oral health, others as needed.

• Immunizations: See chart for any needed at this age.