Child Health: Baby 9-12 Months (Child Development Information) - Child Development

9 to 12 Months

PHYSICAL HEALTH
By the time of their first birthdays, most one-year-olds have tripled their birth weight and grown about 10 inches. They also begin to undergo a series of changes in body proportion that continue over the following years. These changes, especially in the legs, make it easier for a child to balance on two feet. At the same time, bones harden and muscles develop in order to support a baby's efforts at standing upright and walking.

Well-Baby Check-ups. Babies generally go for well check-ups at both 9 months and a year. Not only will your baby's doctor be able to check your baby's growth and development, ask about his eating and sleeping habits, and answer questions you might have, but you should expect to be given information sheets about the immunizations that your baby is due to receive. If your baby is on schedule with her shots, she shouldn't need any at the 9-month visit. You should be sure to schedule her one-year check-up no sooner than her actual birthday, since some of the one-year-old shots must be given after a child turns one. If your child wasn't tested for anemia at her 9-month visit, she is likely to be at a year. If you have questions about how your child is doing, don't hesitate to ask your pediatrician during these visits. Unless your child has a specific need for sooner follow-up, her next visit will most likely be at 15 months of age.

Growth. Your baby's doctor will continue to record your child's height, weight, and head circumference on his growth chart at each well-baby check-up to make sure that he is following an expected pattern of growth. Be aware that somewhere between 9 and 12 months, it is very normal for the rate of your child's growth to slow down.

Safety. Now that your baby is mobile, you'll want to make sure to double-check that her surroundings are safety-proofed accordingly — from your living room floor to her bedroom and crib. Take the time to look around your house — both high and low — and protect sharp corners, secure electrical cords, place all dangerous or fragile objects safely out of reach, and check to make sure that she won't be able to grab or pull up on unsteady or breakable furniture. Play close attention to keeping small objects away from your child, and remember that while your baby is probably becoming more skilled at eating solid foods, most still need to have table foods cut into tiny pieces to prevent choking.

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