Age 9-12 Months
FEEDING / GROWTH:
Your baby’s growth will start to slow down. In fact, he/she may eat very little, and unpredictably. Your baby’s primary source of nutrition is still breast still breast milk or formula.
Breastfeeding and formula will decrease as solids increase. Eating is a learning experience, and should be enjoyable. Babies will be messy, and may even purposefully throw food on the floor. Babies love to feed themselves with their fingers, and like to have some of the things that the parents are eating.
No sweets or “teething crackers”. Avoid extra salt and “allergenic” foods, such as egg whites, nuts, fish, wheat, and citrus.
No adult cow’s milk or honey until 1 year of age. Please do not prop the bottle or let the baby go to sleep with a bottle. This will prevent dental cavities, and help prevent ear problems. We encourage drinking from a cup. Most babies do not need to awaken to eat at night.
Most babies are sleeping for 6-8 hour stretches. Your baby’s sleep may become interrupted before each new developmental stage. Most babies will start to have periods of brief awakening in the middle of the night around 8-9 months until 15-18 months of age. It is important for them to learn how to get themselves back to sleep. Start a regular bedtime routine.
Your baby will become more and more mobile, and child proofing should be increased. Your baby will soon be babbling, and enjoy hearing you imitate him/her. He/she may have a few words. Cuddle, talk, sing, read and play with your baby.
Babies will explore with their eyes, hands, and especially mouths. They may show strong likes and dislikes, and even start to get stranger anxiety when you leave them. Don’t despair, this is a normal and necessary stage.
Most babies are mouthing, gumming, tonguing, and/or chewing on things. Some may be cranky, or have a change in stools. If your child is having pain, teething rings and acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra) may help. We recommend wiping the teeth or brushing with a soft toothbrush. You will need to give fluoride drops if your town does not have Fluoride in the water.
Your child will be tested for anemia (low blood count) and lead. Anemia may cause your child to grow slowly, tire easily, and get infections more often. It’s usually caused by too little iron in the diet. We will also test the urine for infection, sugar and protein.
PREVENT BURNS: Prevent burns by turning down the water heater to 120 degrees.
CAR SEAT: A car seat must be used for every journey. The seat should be rear facing until 20 pounds AND 1 year.
SMOKE EXPOSURE: Smoking is very harmful to your health, and to your child’s health. If you do smoke, talk with your doctor or other health care provider about getting help with quitting.
HANDWASHING: Wash hands to prevent infections.
CHOKING: Keep objects and foods that can cause choking away from your child, such as coins, balloons, small toy parts, peanuts, and hotdogs. If the object will fit in a toilet paper tube, it will choke a baby.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS: Hazards include dangling electrical cords, lamps, tablecloths, electrical outlets, bathtubs, or any bucket with more than an inch of water. Never leave the baby unattended. Put all sharp knives out of reach. Put all household detergents and liquids out of reach. Never underestimate the climbing ability of a child!
IPECAC: Use in case of an ingestion. Call Poison Control BEFORE using.