Your 39-Week-Old Baby

The 9-Month Well-Baby Visit

At this well-baby visit, your baby will have their weight, height and head circumference measured (per usual) to keep tabs on growth.

The pediatrician will do a head-to-toe physical exam, and talk to you about sleep, feedings, safety and, of course, developmental milestones. Some key things the pediatrician will want to know:

• Can your baby sit without support?
• Are they crawling (or scooting)?
• Can they pull up to a standing position?
• In addition to breast milk or formula, what food is your baby eating? Do they try to feed themselves finger foods?
• Can they use the pincer grasp to pick up small objects?
• Do they say any simple words like mama or dada?
• Do they have separation anxiety or react to strangers?
• What toys do they like to play with?
• Do they respond to their own name and turn their head toward sounds?
• Do they point at objects?
• Do they recognize any words?

Here’s the best part about this visit: there are no shots (unless your kiddo needs a flu shot or missed a vaccine at a previous visit). As always, be sure to bring up any questions or concerns you may have and remember that not all babies develop on the same timeline.

Raising Baby Bookworms

It’s never too early to start reading with your baby. Not only does it give you a chance to cuddle up together for some QT, but regular reading can help boost language development. From animals to trucks, colors to shapes, books are sure to spark your kiddo’s budding curiosity.

Here are simple ways to add age-appropriate reading into your day:

• Choose simple books with bold photos or just one drawing per page. Say the name of the person or object on the page and point so your baby can become familiar with those words.
• At this stage, stick to sturdy board books that can’t be ripped (your tot might love to chew on books too!). Plus, they’re the perfect size to pack in your diaper bag for on-the-go entertainment.
• Touch-and-feel and lift-the-flap books are crowd pleasers. Little ones love exploring different textures and seeing surprises revealed.
• Make reading a regular part of your day by adding a book into the bedtime routine. Be animated, change your voice to represent different characters and add sound effects.
• Aside from reading at home, head to “storytime” at your local library when you can. Even if your child is too busy exploring to sit still for a book, it’s a great spot for social interaction (for both of you!). Storytimes for babies and toddlers usually include songs, puppets and plenty of interactive activities. Plus, they’re free! You can make a morning out of it by finding a play area in the library to read, color, and meet new friends.

Need some inspiration to build your baby’s library? Check out our favorite books.

Can Babies Eat Fish?

Fish is packed with lean protein, vitamins and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, which is important for developing brains. But just like peanuts, you may have heard that fish (particularly shellfish) can cause severe allergic reactions in babies.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no evidence that waiting to introduce baby-safe (soft), allergy-causing foods, such as eggs, dairy, soy, peanuts or fish, beyond 4-6 months of age will prevent a food allergy. So, if you don’t have a family history of food allergies, go ahead and serve your baby pureed or mashed (cooked!) fish. Salmon or a mild white fish like tilapia or halibut may be the most well received. Be sure to check carefully for bones, and avoid fish that are high in mercury, like swordfish, mackeral and shark.

If your baby has eczema or other food allergies, talk to your pediatrician before feeding them fish or shellfish.

For more info on choosing healthy, safe fish, check out this helpful chart from the FDA and EPA.

Major Developments Going On

And speaking of brain boosting activities…your baby is in the midst of major developmental changes on all fronts. In the 8-10 month window, many babies are perfecting their crawling, working on pulling up, standing and perhaps even walking. Their language skills are also blossoming as they process words and try to take their babbling to the next level! So don’t be surprised if you experience a sleep regression (more on that here!).