Keeping Track of Baby Milestones: 6-9 Months Old

Baby milestones are so exciting for a parent to watch! I remember sitting on my couch when my second daughter began to get into a crawling position on a blanket around six months of age. She pushed herself up with a drooly, gummy smile on all fours and swayed back and forth as if she expected to take off at any moment! I recall how delighted my husband and I were and remember comparing her to my older daughter, who is 17 months older. I recalled how our firstborn didn’t begin crawling until about eight or nine months old.

As a mom, when I notice the comparing or competitive mechanism playing into my thoughts, I try to remind myself that it’s always my goal to respect that my children are different. They will accomplish different things at different times throughout their lives. While my girls have a lot in common (they are now ages 3 and 20 months old and love playing together), I recognize that they will grow and develop in individual ways and have unique personalities. And their developmental milestones will occur at different times. So, as their mama, I choose to celebrate their uniqueness.

6-9 Month Baby Milestones

All babies develop skills at their own pace. Each child has a wide range of development as they progress through the 6-9 month baby milestones. The key thing to keep your eye on as a parent is a continuous progression in your child’s development. That’s what matters the most in understanding if they are developing within a typical range. Remember, the milestones below are developmental estimations from professional resources. If you are concerned about your baby’s development, contact your child’s pediatrician or health care provider for further recommendations.

6 Months

Social Skills: Baby responds to their name by smiling or looking at the person who spoke to them.

Language Skills: Baby starts babbling, making sounds that resemble recognizable words like “mama,” “dada,” or “baba.”

Gross Motor Skills: Baby can sit up on their own without needing additional props.

Fine Motor Skills: Baby can move a toy or object from one hand to another.

7 Months

Social Skills: Baby responds to and engages in games like peek-a-boo and maintains eye contact.

Language Skills: Baby imitates sounds you make, like laughter, blowing raspberries, and other speaking sounds.

Gross Motor Skills: Baby begins to army crawl or moves forward by scooting or rocking back and forth of all four arms and legs.

Fine Motor Skills: Baby begins to scoop up small objects by sweeping fingers over a toy or object with a loose grasp.

8 Months

Social Skills: Baby begins to understand the concept of object permanence, that things exist even when they can’t see them. This can also be the beginning of a temporary phase of separation anxiety where the baby gets anxious when separated from their parent.

Language Skills: Baby may begin using words to identify people or animals in their life. Babble words such as “dada” for a parent or “gaga” for an animal or a familiar object.

Gross Motor Skills: Baby may begin to crawl, but many don’t quite yet. Baby can also get into a sitting position on their own.

Fine Motor Skills: Baby makes a game of picking up and dropping toys or objects.

9 Months

Social Skills: Baby may experience full-on stranger anxiety now. This can even happen with adults the baby knows somewhat. Baby may be especially clingy to parents and have a meltdown if separated. May have a favorite toy.

Language Skills: Baby uses pointing, head movements, and body language to communicate with intention. Understands “no.”

Gross Motor Skills: Baby begins attempting to pull themselves up to a standing position by holding onto furniture and stable objects for assistance. He watches the path of something as it falls.

Fine Motor Skills: Baby can pick up objects with all four fingers engaged. May pick up small objects like cereal with thumb and forefinger.

If you notice these signs, talk to your pediatrician.

As you notice your baby hit their 6-9 month baby milestones, keep an eye out for signs that may require more insight by your doctor. If your baby is exhibiting any of the following signs by the age of nine months, ask your child’s doctor for further recommendations.

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