A Baby 9-12 Months

Growth and Development
From nine to 12 months, babies will probably develop the ability to sit unsupported for quite a time. They can turn sideways, or stretch out and pick up a toy from the floor, without losing balance. The ability to move increases rapidly, probably progressing from rolling or wriggling to crawling on all fours. Some babies have their own individual crawling technique. It may not be the conventional way, but they are more concerned with reaching their goal than with how they make the journey.

When they first pull up on a support to stand erect, they will not be able to lower themselves slowly back to a sitting position. They may flop down or cry for help. But no sooner are they down than they are back on their feet again. This will never be more obvious than at nappy changing times.

Gradually, they will learn to walk, stepping sideways, using furniture for support. They will progress to walking when their two hands are held, then with only one hand held. They may stand for a few seconds or even walk unaided by the time they are one year old.

Their ability to use their hands is developing rapidly. At first, they will point and poke at small objects. They need to practise their newly acquired throwing skills, and do so with toys from the playpen or food from the highchair.

Their eating habits are also changing. Smooth foods are no longer necessary since they can chew - with or without teeth! But beware of hard foods, such as nuts, carrots or apple, which could choke baby.

Some children will show a preference for certain foods. They may enjoy finger feeding but need watching to ensure they don’t choke. At this stage, many are ready to make the change from sucking to drinking from a cup. Frequent small drinks (30-60 ml) give the pleasure of imitating adults and of finishing a task. Cups are easier to clean than bottles and eliminate the need for special equipment.

They are interested in all sounds and especially in voices, their own and other people’s. They love to babble for their own amusement, but can also indicate what they want by pointing and making sounds. Most babies produce their first word during the tenth or eleventh month. However, first real words are surprisingly difficult to identify from the sounds of constant babble.

As a Social Being
Positive experiences with people are satisfying to babies. They help them to develop confidence in themselves and a feeling of being worthwhile. Anxiety hinders development. Curiosity, exploration and learning can proceed when children know they are loved and wanted.

A well-developed sense of trust in the first year lays the foundations for a feeling of security that lasts for life. Babies aged nine to 12 months are more confident socially, although many object to new faces and strange voices. Later they may still be distressed if parents leave for even a short time. However, they can enjoy great social success because of their obvious delight in the attention of familiar adults. They are equally able to show their displeasure, and often do so by throwing themselves backwards, stiffening their body and yelling.

Learning Through Play
Playing is a happy way for children to learn about what they can do and the world around them. It is important for them to have a wide variety of play experiences. How much children enjoy and learn will largely depend on you. Playing and talking with your child can help and encourage development in a way you’ll both enjoy.

Games and playthings which match children’s developing skills will encourage practice and give pleasure. Suitable games for this age group include finger-toe songs and rhymes, games such as ‚peek-a-boo’, clapping hands, and opportunities to listen and copy the sounds they hear. Stimulating play things such as pull-along toys, balls, drums, and objects that fit together like stacking tubs, are best for this stage of development. Opportunities to explore and experiment with their new physical skills will help them to learn and keep them entertained.

Safety
A safe space to explore and play in is essential. Look around your home and remove any potential hazards before your baby gets into trouble.

Movement means opportunity.

Children of this age no longer need to wait for help. They can explore and even follow people if they want to. Steps, doors and gates are very inviting. Water is always an attraction, a hazardous one. This is a time when parents need to be particularly watchful. Babies can move not only quickly but also silently.

Always check where your baby is before reversing the car.

Visually, children of this age are more interested in people and in everything going on around them. They can now see and pick up pins, flies, fluff, buttons and so on, and everything still goes to the mouth. You have checked your own home, but take care in other places too. In fact, it is probably safer to bring the playpen on visits.

Restraints are more necessary than ever, as their experiments will extend to what can be done out of the stroller and in, under, or over the highchair. Even when restrained, active children can bounce a highchair or pram, or manipulate a playpen into a dangerous situation.

Low cupboards need to be secured. Heaters, fans, tablecloths, occasional tables, etc. are all objects by which small children can pull themselves up, or which they want to explore to see what they can be made to do. Prediction is impossible so constant care and protection is more necessary than ever.

Babies of this age have no understanding of danger and no knowledge of fire, poisons, height, depth, water, chemicals, knives or electricity.

Hot drinks are the major burn hazard.

Cigarettes spell a special danger to inquisitive babies. Cigarette butts and ashtrays can cause burns and even fires. It should also be remembered that cigarettes are poisonous, and medical advice should be sought immediately if baby eats a cigarette. Babies of all ages need protecting from passive smoking. Apart from the danger of burns from a lighted cigarette in a smoker’s hand, a baby exposed to cigarette smoke can develop sensitive airways leading to asthma, bronchitis and chest infections.

The chances of injury increase as the child grows. Hazards multiply as the baby learns to crawl, walk, climb and explore.

To Keep Your Child Safe

• Make the child’s environment safe by:
  • Storing household cleaning agents, medicines, etc. well out of reach or, better still, in a locked cupboard
  • Covering power points when they are not in use
  • Keeping kettle cords out of reach and opting for cordless or curly-corded kettles
  • Placing dangerous objects out of reach
    Fencing off hazards such as swimming pools, fires, heaters and stairs.
• Use protective devices such as:
  • Approved child restraints in the car
  • Full harness restraints whenever possible when the baby is in the stroller, highchair or shopping trolley.
• Keep smokers and ashtrays away from your baby! Protect baby from passive smoke as well as from the dangers of lighted cigarettes.
• Teach your child to avoid dangerous situations. Children learn best from copying what they see, so let your child learn good safety habits from you.
• Remember that at 12 months, baby is due for vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella, and for some babies, a third Hib immunisation.
• It takes a long time for children to remember and recognise dangerous situations. In the meantime, keeping a constant watch on them is the only way of making sure they are safe.