When your baby is nine to 12 months old

• Discuss your child's development with a health professional at their developmental check.
• Discuss the whole family's health and well-being and the next steps.
• Vaccinations are offered to your baby at 1 Year

Child development

All children develop at their own pace as they learn about themselves, their family and their world.

For information on how your child will grow in their first year and up to being aged two years:

• Visit: Your baby's development milestones (UNICEF).

At nine months old your baby may:

• Enjoy playing peek-a-boo and look for things you hide.
• Start to cling onto adults they are familiar with.
• Have favourite toys that they reach for often.
• Point at things with their fingers.
• Understand the word "no" and be making lots of different sounds.
• Get into a sitting position and sit without support.
• Pull up (using furniture for support) to stand.
• Be starting to crawl.

For a parent's guide from birth to five years, with a wealth of information for families, visit: Healthy Early Years.

Parental support to child

• Follow your baby's signals, let them take the lead in playtime.
• Because your baby loves to point, read some board books with pictures. They will be able to show you what interests them.
• Identify the objects your baby notices in their everyday environment or in the house and name them. This will help improve their language and communication skills.
• Help them to develop their fine-motor skills. Give them objects to pick up while you supervise them.
• Place your baby close to furniture, so they can try to raise themselves up. Encourage and support them when needed. Stay with your baby.

Advice and support

For general health and learning, see: Advice and support. (New born to 5 years old).

Any other key information and useful websites

Things to think about

If you think you need urgent help (day or night), before you go to any other health service, phone: 111.

• You will be directed straight away to the local service that can help you best.
• It is available anytime, everyday and is free to call from a mobile or landline.

You should phone: 111:

• When you need help fast, but it is not life threatening.
• When you think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service.
• When it is outside of your GP's surgery hours.
• When you do not know who to call for medical help.
• If you do not have a local GP to call.

Important note: For serious and life-threatening emergencies, phone: 999.