Nine-Month Visit

At nine months, your baby will have developed the skills and the interest to handle a variety of foods. Get excited to challenge your little one with different tastes, textures, and temperatures. We hope this is the beginning of a long love affair with the foods of New York City. Please consult the book shelf for other topics we will cover at the 9 month visit.

All babies develop at different rates. Do not be discouraged or worried if your child has not achieved the following milestones by 9 months.

At this age, your child should:

  • Stands holding on to furniture
  • Goes from sitting to lying position unassisted
  • Begins to say consonants such as “baba”, “mama”,  and “dada” non-specifically
  • Explores food with modified pincer grasp
  • Stranger anxiety
  • Cry when parents leave the room
  • Loves to show off for a family audience

Around nine months, we suggest that you introduce proteins and start some finger foods. Start with a small amount per feeding and slowly increase if there are no signs of allergy (rash, diarrhea, or irritability). You can also introduce yogurt and mild cheese as well as wheat.

Your child should now be able to pick up small pieces of food. This is an excellent age to add some finger foods such as Cheerios or cut-up pasta.

At this visit, your child will receive the Hepatitis B vaccine. In addition, they will have a finger prick performed to screen for anemia (low iron) and make sure that they do not have elevated lead levels. If the season is appropriate, your child may also receive the Influenza vaccine.