Your baby at 9 months

The CDC's 9-month checklist includes sitting without support, babbling sounds like “mamamama”, looking when you call your baby's name and playing peek-a-boo.

The CDC's milestone checklist for 9 months lists 13 things most babies (75% or more) do by 9 months, such as “Sits without support” and “Looks when you call her name”. Many do them sooner. If your baby isn't doing one or more of them, or has lost a skill, the CDC says don't wait: talk with your child's doctor.

Checked October 29, 2026.

What most babies do by 9 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
Looks when you call her name
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication Milestones

Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
Lifts arms up to be picked up

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
Bangs two things together

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Gets to a sitting position by herself
Moves things from one hand to her other hand
Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself
Sits without support

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 9 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 9 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

Name game
Say your baby's name from across the room and wave when they look. Then call from behind a door and pop out.
Hide the toy
Hide a toy under a cloth while your baby watches, and let them pull it off. Cheer the find.
Bang and copy
Bang two large blocks together, then hand them over and see if your baby copies you.

Things to say

“Where's my baby? There you are!”
“Ba-ba-ba! You said ba-ba!”
“You found it!”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A rhyme to share

Hey Diddle Diddle. Make the cow "jump over the moon" with your hand, right over your baby's head.

The words are on Peabody's Nursery rhymes with lyrics list.

Questions parents ask about this age

When do babies sit up?By 9 months: Sits without support
When do babies crawl?By 1 year: Pulls up to stand
When do babies babble?By 9 months: Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
When do babies respond to their name?By 9 months: Looks when you call her name
When do babies play peekaboo?By 9 months: Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
When do babies get shy with strangers?By 9 months: Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
When do babies say mama or dada?By 1 year: Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
When do babies look for hidden toys?By 9 months: Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your baby isn't doing one or more of the things on the CDC's 9-month list above, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.
CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

What are some things you and your baby do together?
What are some things your baby likes to do?
Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 9 months page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents