7 Helpful Products to Buy for Your Nine-Month-Old

Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were trying to figure out how to strap a tiny, squirming newborn into your brand new infant car seat? The days are long but the years really are short, like they say, and it’s almost time for your almost one-year-old to graduate to a convertible car seat. 

Time for a quick car seat safety lesson. Here’s how you know when it’s time to make the switch from a rear-facing bucket seat to a rear-facing convertible:

• Your baby has reached the maximum height limit of your seat.

• Your baby has reached the maximum weight limit of your seat.

• There is less than one inch of room from the top of your child’s head to the top of the infant seat.

• When your little one has reached any one of these limits, it’s time to make the switch.

The Extend2Fit allows for extended rear-facing and grows with your child all the way to booster mode. (It also happens to be our top convertible car seat pick!) It’s designed with breathable fabric, an easy-to-use harness and built-in cup holders, making it a smart, long-term choice.

Lots of nine-month-olds are just beginning to pull up to a standing position in order to explore the world around them. What comes next? Walking, that’s what! While your baby may not be cruising quite yet, odds are those first wobbly steps aren’t too far into your future. A push toy can get them on their way, helping them to develop skills like balance, strength and gross motor development.

This colorful wooden activity walker from Tiny Land features a sturdy wooden handle that’s easy to grip and at just the right height for tiny hands. The walker has a ton of activities to keep your little one engaged like a shape sorter, bead maze, peek-a-boo mirror and spinning gears. It also has room on the back for them to stash their treasures.

Does it seem like every time you turn your back for just a few seconds that your little one has found something new to get into? If that something new is the electrical sockets, the top of your stairs or every sharp corner they can find, then it’s definitely time for some baby proofing, if you haven’t already.

Nine-month-olds are naturally curious—often to their own detriment. Baby proofing your home will help protect them from getting hurt, of course, but will also give you peace of mind in knowing you can safely let your baby explore, grow and learn about the world around them.

You don’t need to baby proof your home from top to bottom all at once; instead, try working in phases based on what stage your baby is in. This essentials kit is a great place to start. It’s a 46-piece collection of basic baby proofing tools like cabinet and drawer latches, outlet protectors and door knob covers. Add some anti-tip furniture anchors, corner guards, window protectors and of course a few baby gates and you’ll be more than ready for your baby to be on the move.

Your baby’s first tooth has probably made its grand debut (or it’s about to), which means it’s time to start brushing—yep, even that one tiny tooth. This finger toothbrush is a gentle way to introduce oral hygiene to your little one and get them used to the routine.

The soft silicone bristles are perfect for massaging sore gums and cleaning those brand-new teeth, while the finger design makes it easy for you to control. Bonus: it comes in a two-pack with its own case, so you can keep one at home and stash the other in your diaper bag.

Weren’t you just getting the hang of that bottle thing? Don’t worry, there’s no need to ditch them just yet. But now is the time to introduce a sippy cup, and the Dr. Brown’s Straw Bottle is one of our favorites.

There’s a learning curve that comes with using a sippy cup, of course—so giving your nine-month-old lots and lots of practice can help them get the hang of big-kid drinking sooner rather than later. (For the full lowdown on cups, check out our Best Sippy Cups guide.)

It does take a bit of practice, but it’s 100% worth it because it truly is leak-proof. (And trust us when we say that is not the case for most sippy cups on the market.) The handles make it easy for tiny hands to hold, and the wide-neck opening makes it easy to clean.

This board book introduces common objects and animals through labeled photographs, helping babies make connections between words and the world around them. It’s a perfect pick for language development and daily storytime routines.

Simple, stylish and endlessly fun, these modern stacking cups are a go-to toy for a reason. Stacking, nesting, pouring—your baby will love exploring all the different ways to play, and you’ll love that they’re working on important developmental skills while they do it. Think hand-eye coordination, fine motor control and early problem-solving, all rolled into one engaging toy.