9 Month Old Baby Development: Separation Anxiety
There's dirty laundry scattered across the bedroom floor, your bronzer brush is missing and the bathroom trashcan is overturned. Have you been burgled? Only by your very curious baby! He'll dig those grubby hands into anything he can these days. So if you're wondering just where your wallet is, it could be that your kid is the culprit. (Or it might be in the car, where you left it.)
What You're Thinking: "Argh! Where are my keys?!"
Baby Milestones
- Your baby may be able to stand by holding on to things now. The first place you may notice this is when you go to get her one morning and she's standing up holding on to the railing of her crib. Surprise!
- Just when you were getting used to baby having "object permanence" (the idea that things haven't disappeared just because they can't see them), babies at this age will also begin to develop separation anxiety—when they cry because you're not there. So now, not only is she standing in her crib, she's standing there crying for you!
- Separation anxiety often manifests as a "sleep problem." All of the sudden, your baby's not sleeping through the night anymore—just when you thought you passed that hurdle. This is a great time to introduce a "transitional object" to ease bedtime drama. Establish a bedtime routine, including a gentle bath and a bedtime story, turn down the lights and put her to bed with her favorite plush toy. The object will help comfort her and signal that it's time for night-night.
Mommy Milestones
- You actually look better than before you had a baby (really!). Motherhood agrees with you, no matter how tired you think you look!
- You snuck in a hair bow ... before your little girl had a chance to know it was there and pull it out.
- You snuck on an adorable baby hat and took a picture ... before your little boy had a chance to know it was there and take it off.
- You've concocted a game for putting on sunscreen that makes your baby giggle rather than scream in protest.
- You didn't freak out when your baby had a meltdown in the produce aisle (everyone else did, but you just gave her a snack and went straight for the tomatoes).
Home Front
Ready for a road trip? Traveling with baby can seem like a daunting prospect, but with a little planning it is manageable—and might even be a load of fun. Before you hit the road, check out our tips for planning road travel with a baby to get you closer to a bon voyage. Read more ...
Everything you ever wanted to know ... and were just about to ask ...
Do It:
Scissor-cizing
Entertain baby while you work your legs and abs.
Buy It: Cabana Life Sunwear
Clothes that have your kid covered with SPF 50 sun protection. In other words, if you miss a spot with the lotion, no worries!
Share It: Hail to Ferber
One Mom resorts to "crying it out" and finally gets a good night's sleep!
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Baby Development: More Month 9 / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 9
All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.
report abuseEntertain baby while you work your legs and abs.
Buy It: Cabana Life Sunwear
Clothes that have your kid covered with SPF 50 sun protection. In other words, if you miss a spot with the lotion, no worries!
Share It: Hail to Ferber
One Mom resorts to "crying it out" and finally gets a good night's sleep!
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Baby Development: More Month 9 / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 9
All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.
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