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9 Months Old Baby Milestones
From the time your baby was born, he was learning how to communicate with you. Every moment spent together, every sweet word whispered into his ear, and every loving caress and gesture you showed him was a way you taught him how to communicate. All this is important when it comes to a baby’s social, emotional and communicative development. At nine months old, your baby will start to show growth in many other areas.
Video: 9 Months Old Baby Milestones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXHCwWRYAe0
9 Month Old Baby Milestone Chart
Achieved Developmental Milestones
Emerging Developmental Milestones
Crawls short distances before resting in a sit
Will soon start crawling faster and for longer distances
Can stand with some help
Can take a step forward with help
Can say simple words like “mama” and “dada.”
Will be able to say some more short words
Understands the word “no.”
Can understand “yes” ”come” and “go.”
Will copy simple gestures
Will be able to copy a wider range of actions
Depth perception develops
Depth perception improves so baby can see farther
Will hold onto and drop objects as pleases
Will respond to requests to hold or drop objects
Will have favourite toys
Will have favourite toys as well as people
Will be able to move things from one hand to the other
Will be able to put things into containers
Developmental Milestones your Baby Should Reach by 9 Months
Not only is there a possibility that your baby will start cruising (walking with the support of furniture), but you are also going to hear some practice speeches! Sitting down without assistance may be still hard for him, so be sure to keep an eye on your little one, or put some extra padding in his diapers.
Cognitive Development Milestones
Your baby’s brain is developing fast! Here are the cognitive developments your child should have made by 9 months:
If you look at your baby and ask him to make a sound or action, he will understand what you want.
Your baby will repeat some words like “mama” or “dada”, but he will most likely not say it to the right parent. He will also repeat a few other small words like “ball” and “bye.”
Your baby will enjoy creating sound and will often test out the different ones by banging objects on the ground or table.
Your baby will be able to understand that a hidden toy does not vanish from its spot. It will be fun to hide things and make him find them as this helps his currently developing memorizing skills.
Social and Emotional Development Milestones
Your baby’s social and behavioural skills needed to develop. Here are some things to watch out for:
Your baby will enjoy cuddling and will even try to please you with his actions. Babies of this age tend to become clingy and will often cry if separated from their parents.
If your baby starts to panic and cry when he meets someone new, even if the person is friendly, don’t be worried; this is normal. Babies develop anxiety towards strangers at this age.
Your nine month old will begin to develop certain preferences towards certain things and may also use something like his favourite teddy bear or his “blankie” for security.
Babies do understand the concept of family at this age and tend to be happier during family time.
Motor Skills and Physical Development Milestones
Your baby is growing physically and developing different motor skills. Here are a few physical developments to look out for:
Your baby should be crawling by this age, so it is time to baby proof your home.
Your baby will develop something called “Parachute reflex” which is the human tendency to put our hands forward when the head faces down in order to prevent injuries.
The leg muscles start to strengthen, and your baby will soon be able to pull himself up, using something for support and will try taking a few steps now too.
Your baby’s ocular movements will be much better, and he will be able to keep an eye on moving objects. Depth perception starts to develop.
Neurodevelopmental Skills Milestones
Neurodevelopment of a baby begins in the prenatal stages and continues right until three years of age. The neurodevelopmental skills your baby will have developed by 9 months are:
Your baby can sit unsupported now
Your baby will be able to pick up toys and move them from hand to hand
Your baby will develop pincher grip in his fingers and will be able to pick up small objects using the index finger and thumb.
They babble consonants and vowels and practice changing their tone of voice
Communication Skills
Here are a few ways your baby will be able to communicate at this age:
Your baby will be able to communicate the word “No” to you through actions. For example, if at feeding time your baby closes his mouth or turns away his head, this would be considered “No” in your 9-month-olds language.
Now your baby will be able to understand the meaning of “No” when you use it and will try to avoid doing anything that may make you say it to them.
Your baby will be able to wave goodbye and probably even follow up with a verbal “Bye.”
At this age, your baby will start pointing to things he is interested in.
When to Consult a Doctor?
If your baby isn’t growing properly now, then this will have a major impact on future development. Here are some things to look out for:
Babies of this age should be able to crawl and sit up on their own. If your baby isn’t crawling or sitting even with support, you will want to consult a professional.
A delay in development could be taking place if your child is abnormally quiet and does not try to babble or repeat anything.
If you or any of your baby’s primary caregivers fail to make your baby laugh or smile in pleasure when he sees you, but instead he seems blank, then he has missed a milestone in his development.
At this age, your baby should be able to use his arms and hands pretty well, so if your baby does not hold onto things or if his grip is very weak, it is best to bring this to your doctor’s attention.
Ways to Help Your Baby Achieve Nine Month Developmental Milestones
Here are a few simple ways to help your baby to develop and reach those nine-month milestones:
Make sure to play with your baby a lot as this will help him develop his physical and cognitive skills. Be sure to use simple requests like “pass the ball to mommy” and encourage your baby to play while sitting down so that his lower back muscles strengthen.
Reading books with brightly coloured pictures will help your baby’s vision. The same can be done by taking your baby outdoors and exposing him to all the colours of the world.
Converse with your baby and teach him simple things such as how to wave “bye” using the word to associate the action. Try pointing to different things and telling your baby what it is, for example, “That’s the bed.”
Give your baby some finger food so that he can feed himself. This will help him to develop his pincher grasp. Just be sure to keep an eye on him and do not give him anything that would qualify as choking hazards.
An important thing to remember is to always have family time with your baby. This will help him to learn to form bonds and develop social relationships and will also make him very happy. A lot of his developmental milestones will be met without problems so long as your baby always has loved ones around to encourage him. Happy and healthy babies should develop well and not miss any of their milestones. However, consult your doctor if you have even the slightest doubt about whether or not your baby is showing any signs of developmental problems. Early detection is equivalent to a cure.
Previous Month: 8 Months Old Baby Milestones
Next Month: 10 Months Old Baby Milestones Read more
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Baby Ear Infection - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Ear infections in babies can be a painful experience not just for your little one but you as well. Many parents complain of sleepless nights and missed work before they realise that their baby has had an ear infection all along. Since babies cannot communicate where they feel pain, it is best that you are well versed in the symptoms of ear pain.
What is an Ear Infection?
Ear infection or otitis media (OM) is the infection of the middle ear which is usually caused by bacteria. The bacteria appear when fluid builds up behind the eardrum, generally due to a blocked Eustachian tube. Children are more susceptible to getting an ear infection than adults. In fact, five out of six children will have at least one ear infection before the age of three. Earache in babies is one of the most common reasons why parents take their baby to the doctor.
Why are Ear Infections Common in Babies?
The Eustachian tube is one of the main components in maintaining balance in the body and is a gateway between the middle ear and the throat. Since the throat is moist, it is a breeding ground for bacteria. Any blockage in the Eustachian tube can cause fluid build-up in the middle ear. As an infant’s tube is relatively small and narrow, it becomes very easy for bacteria to travel to the middle ear and cause infections.
What Causes Ear Infections in Babies?
The following reasons cause ear infections in babies:
The infection is caused when bacteria infect the fluid build-up in the middle ear.
Fluid gets accumulated in the middle ear due to a blocked Eustachian tube.
Eustachian tubes are blocked when your baby has a cold, has allergies, or a sinus infection.
Usage of a pacifier can increase the occurrence of otitis media in your baby by 33%.
Ear Infection Symptoms in Babies
There are many signs of ear infection in a baby that you can be on a lookout for.
Tugging at the ear
Nasal discharge
Ear discharge
Irritability and crankiness
Disturbed sleep
Fever
Crying when laying down
Loss of appetite
Treatment for Ear Infections in Babies
The treatment for ear infections in babies includes destroying the bacteria in the middle ear, reducing the blockage of the Eustachian tube, and increasing the general immunity of your baby.
Most doctors will hold off on prescribing antibiotics to treat the ear infection, especially if it is a mild infection. They will instead give your baby painkillers to manage the pain. If the infection continues to show no improvement or becomes more severe in the first 48 to 72 hours, then your doctor might put your child on antibiotics.
Can Ear Infections in Babies Become Serious?
Ear infection can become a more pressing issue if left untreated. A severe infection can rupture the eardrum. A ruptured eardrum will heal itself quickly but will require frequent medical attention to ensure that it is healing correctly.
Why is it Important to Treat Ear Infections Properly?
As with all infections, if left untreated, an ear infection could spread to the rest of the body and create more severe conditions such as mastoiditis or meningitis that will require more medical attention. If antibiotics are used, then the bacteria could gain resistance to the drug if not handled correctly. This could lead to repeated infections that could cause an eventual loss of hearing in your baby.
How to Ease Ear Infection Pain in Young Children With Home Treatment?
There are several ear infection remedies for babies that you can try at home to ease the discomfort and pain that your baby is in.
Warm Compress:
Hold a cloth dipped in warm water with the excess water squeezed out on the ear. This will help to ease the discomfort your baby is sure to be feeling with the ear infection.
Salt Water:
If your child is old enough, get him to gargle with salt water which will clear the Eustachian tubes as well as soothe the inflamed throat.
Warm Oil:
If there is no discharge from the ear and the eardrum is intact, then you can put a few drops of warm oil in your child’s ear. Use olive oil, sesame oil, or garlic oil.
Does Treatment of Ear Tubes Help in Multiple Repeated Ear Infections?
Some babies are prone to multiple ear infections that originate from a single ear infection that hasn’t subsided despite antibiotics. In this scenario, the first step is to see if the primary infection in the ear can be treated with antibiotics. If the infection continues for months on end without abating, then one can look at the ear tubes as a way to provide respite.
This is a procedure where the surgeon will make a tiny incision in your child’s eardrum through which a tube will be inserted. This artificial Eustachian tube acts as a vent and allows in the air while relieving pressure by draining the fluid build-up. Because of this, bacteria cannot thrive in the middle ear.
The ear tube procedure is recommended for children who have the following conditions:
Loss of hearing on a certain level
A middle ear with structural damage
Chronic ear infections or fluid build-up in the idle ear
Discuss the options available with your doctor with regards to the procedure and the various pros and cons.
Are Ear Infections in Children Contagious?
While the actual ear infection is not contagious, an infection that can lead to the inflammation of the Eustachian tube can be infectious. Since children usually are in daycare centres or at the school where many other children are around, it is best that you avoid letting your sick child go to these places as a precaution from spreading the infection to other children.
Are Antibiotics Needed for Preventing Ear Infections in Babies?
Previously, the approach to all ear infections was to prescribe antibiotics immediately. However, with new research, more and more doctors prefer the wait and watch approach. This is due to two reasons. Firstly, a third of all ear infections in children are caused by viruses that are not affected by antibiotics. The second reason is that repeated use of antibiotics can cause the genesis of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
If the child with an ear infection is younger than two years old, then antibiotics are sure to be prescribed. This is done because children of this age cannot communicate if the pain in their ear is getting worse. Also, children of this age are more susceptible to the complications of an ear infection.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From an Ear Infection?
If your child is given antibiotics, they should start to improve within a few days of beginning the dose. If their condition continues to deteriorate, then you should bring this to the attention of your child’s doctor. In all probability, the doctor will prescribe a stronger set of antibiotics. Under no circumstances are the antibiotics to be discontinued until the full course is over. This is because there may be a few remnants that would have survived and will regain strength if the antibiotics are stopped suddenly.
How to Prevent Baby Ear Infections?
One can make sure that an ear infection doesn’t affect your child in the first place by following the below tips:
1. Staying up to date on vaccinations
Many of the infections that cause blockage of the Eustachian tubes can be avoided with vaccinations. Most babies will experience ear pain after a bout of flu. You must talk to your child’s doctor about getting the annual flu shot to stop yearly infections of the flu and ear.
2. Breastfeeding
It is important to breastfeed your baby for the first six months of his/her life as the breast milk contains antibodies that will help your baby fight infections. These antibodies work only for the first six months.
3. No Smoking
Studiesshow that children who are in an environment that has adults who smoke are more susceptible to infections. This is because the smoke suppresses the immune system of your child and leaves them open to bacterial infections that could cause an ear infection.
4. Avoiding Day Care Centers With a Large Number of Children
More the number of children in your child’s daycare, the higher are the chances that one of the children has a contagious illness that your child can catch. Make sure that the number of children in the daycare is small and manageable.
5. Elevating the Head When Drinking
Your child’s head should be above their stomach level. If not, then the fluid could flow back into her Eustachian tube.
6. Preventing Allergies
Try to identify the various allergies your child may have, especially the ones that affect your child’s respiratory system. Do not allow pets in the house, ensure that the baby’s room is free of dust, and use hypoallergenic bedding for your child.
When to Call the Doctor?
Keeping your doctor posted in the first instance is imperative as not doing so can lead to more severe complications. It is best not to delay the right kind of medical attention the infection requires. Your child’s doctor will examine the eardrum with an otoscope. If the eardrum is red and bulging, then it probably means that your child has an ear infection.
The paediatrician could also use a pneumatic otoscope which uses small amounts of air to induce a reaction from the eardrum. If the drum does not move at all, then it is another indication of an ear infection. The doctor will also examine your child’s respiratory tract to see if there is an infection that is contributing to the blockage of the Eustachian tubes.
Ear infections in children are prevalent and painful. An ear infection might seem like a small inconvenience but can lead to several severe complications that could affect the quality of life of your child. Talk to your doctor about the available options in cases of persistent infections.
Also Read: Home Remedies for Ear Infection in Babies Read more
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Jazz Up your Posture With 5 Simple Exercises!
A good posture can do wonders for your personality and give you that sexy swagger! It can also minimise muscle tensions and get you looking younger. All the more reason to improve your bearing by including simple body posture exercises in your workout regime.
Did you know that the wrong posture can affect your digestive system and cause unexplained aches and pains? Your mom's commands of 'stand up straight' and 'don't slouch!' were more than just nagging; they were practical. The good news is that you can easily improve your bearing by engaging in some exercises for good posture. Do them every day and you'll soon see a marked difference in your stance.
Easy Exercises to Improve Posture
1. Back pain relieving exercise
This is one of the best ways to improve your posture, especially if you spend long hours sitting down at work.
Sit on the floor with your legs folded under you.
Raise yourself on your knees.
Pull out your right leg, bend it at the knee and place it 90 degrees with the ground.
Place your hands behind your head and push your left hip forward.
Stay like this for 30 seconds.
Repeat with the other leg and continue doing this for several reps.
2. Shoulder stretching exercise
Second on our list of best posture exercises is the shoulder stretching workout to relieve tension in your shoulders caused by working long hours on the computer or driving your kids to school, activity classes and the park.
Stand straight with your legs apart.
Stretch your arms to keep them parallel to the ground.
Make sure that your palms are facing forward and shoulder blades are drawn together as you bend your elbows at 90-degree angles.
With your hands and arms, start making small circles backwards.
Once you get the rhythm, repeat and progress to swaying sideways.
3. Chin gliding exercise
This exercise eases strain in your neck muscles. Maybe you've been spending too much time taking calls with the phone cradled on your neck. Or maybe your little one decided to hog the bed and let his mommy sleep in an awkward position. Whatever the case, neck strain can be debilitating so knowing how to relieve it is important.
Sit or stand straight and relax your shoulders.
Without tilting your head, glide your neck backwards till you feel tension in the muscles.
Stay like this for five seconds and release.
Repeat it four to five times and do it whenever your neck feels strained.
4. Pelvis tilting exercise
Strong pelvic muscles provide good support to the spine. This short workout can strengthen them and help improve your posture.
Stand straight and relax your hips so that your bottom protrudes a bit.
Keep your palms alongside your body with your thumbs placed on the lower rib and fingers on the hip bone.
Now pull in your bottom so that it's in a straight line with your lower ribs.
Hold for five seconds, release and repeat five times.
5. Pelvis tilting exerciseStanding tall
Does your teen's slouching irk you as much as yours vexed your mom? Try this simple exercise for posture correction to resolve this.
Stand against a blank wall with your head, heels, shoulder blades and bottom touching it. Make sure there's a gap between your lower back and the wall.
Stay in this position for 30 seconds then step away. Try to maintain that posture every time you stand.
These body posture exercises can prove extremely effective in improving your bearing. What's awesome is that you can do them together as a family without spending a dime at fancy gyms. Incorporate them into your workout sessions or do them whenever you need to relieve muscle aches and pains. You'll be amazed by the positive effect they have on your posture. Read more
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Akifa Tahreem has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
8 hours ago
Q. hello doctor, I'm 3 weeks pregnant. can we sleep on our belly or which side We can sleep on during pregnancy...
Akifa Tahreem
Mom of a 7 m old boy
6 hours ago
A. no you can't sleep in your tummy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. @ask_the_expert
#ask the expert
I am having pcod problem.
when should I check pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more and then do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
3 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
4 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
2 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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