By 9 months: milestone checklist
By nine months, babies are often busy little explorers — sitting up to watch the world, passing toys from hand to hand and starting to understand simple games. Some are on the move, others take their time, and both are perfectly normal.
Written by the Inclusive Developmental and Therapy Center therapy team · medically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS (GMC 8023727) · Last reviewed July 2026
How to use this checklist
- Go through each list and tick off every skill your child can already do.
- Try not to worry about a few “not yet”s — children grow at their own pace, and this is a gentle guide, not a test.
- Use the Ways to help ideas below to gently nudge along the skills that are still coming.
- If several skills are missing, or your child has lost skills they once had, have a look at the “when to seek advice” box and book a free check.
What most children do by 9 months
Communication & language
- Babbles strings of sounds like “mamama” or “bababa”
- Turns and looks when you say their name
- Understands “no” by pausing or looking at you
- Makes lots of different sounds to get your attention
- Copies some of the sounds you make
Social & play
- Enjoys playing peek-a-boo
- Looks for a toy when it drops out of sight
- May be shy or clingy with new people
- Reacts when you leave the room
- Watches faces closely to see how you feel
Movement (motor)
- Sits steadily without any support
- Moves toys from one hand to the other
- Picks up small pieces of food with a raking grip
- May start to crawl or shuffle along
- Gets into a sitting position on their own
Ways to help your child grow
At nine months your baby is a curious explorer who loves games, names and gentle challenges. Everyday moments — mealtimes, bath time, tidying up — are full of chances to help them grow. Here are easy ideas using things you already have at home.
Repeat their babble back and add real words — if they say “bababa”, smile and say “ball!” Naming the things around you helps your baby link sounds to the world they see every day.
Play name games throughout the day — say your baby’s name softly and wait for them to look, then reward them with a big smile. It builds listening and helps them learn their name.
Hide a favourite toy under a cloth while your baby watches, then ask, “Where’s it gone?” When they lift the cloth to find it, cheer — this teaches them that hidden things still exist.
Give your baby plenty of floor time to sit, twist and reach. Place a toy a little way off to tempt them to lean, shuffle or crawl towards it, always with cushions and a watchful eye nearby.
At mealtimes offer soft, finger-sized pieces of food they can pick up themselves while you sit with them. Passing a toy from hand to hand and clapping games also sharpen their little fingers.
A little shyness or clinginess is normal now. Stay warm and reassuring, say a cheerful “bye-bye” when you step away, and greet them happily when you return so they learn you always come back.
Try today: Hide a small toy under a cloth while your baby watches and ask, “Where has it gone?” — then share the joy when they uncover it.
When it’s worth having a chat
- Isn’t babbling or making many sounds
- Doesn’t respond to their own name
- Can’t sit up, even with support
- Has lost skills they once had
If several of these feel familiar, an early, gentle check can bring real clarity — and support at the point where it helps most.
Seek help straight away if your child loses skills they once had; doesn’t respond to sounds or your voice (ask for a hearing test — don’t wait); doesn’t look at faces or make eye contact; or isn’t sitting on their own by 9–10 months, or walking by 18 months. If your child is ever in immediate danger or has hurt themselves, call your local emergency number or go to your nearest emergency department now.
This checklist is a general guide and not a diagnosis — children develop at their own pace. For a clear answer, speak to a professional near you, follow a home program at home, or book an online session with us from anywhere in the world.
Questions parents ask
What should a child do by 9 months?
By nine months, babies are often busy little explorers — sitting up to watch the world, passing toys from hand to hand and starting to understand simple games. Some are on the move, others take their time, and both are perfectly normal. This checklist covers communication, social, movement and self-care milestones, ways to help at home, and signs it’s worth seeking advice.
My child has missed a few of these — should I worry?
Not necessarily — every child develops at their own pace and one or two “not yet”s are common. A cluster of missed milestones, or any loss of skills, is worth a friendly check.
Not sure what the checklist is telling you?
Send us your child’s age and what you’ve noticed — we’ll help you make sense of it, gently and without pressure.
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