How does a baby develop between 9 and 12 months
It is amazing how fast a baby develops. From a tiny, almost helpless newborn, by their first birthday they become an active, unstoppable, curious and keen little explorer.
After 9 months we reach a stage where the basic functions of hearing and vision are in place, and as your baby processes new experiences, they learn, communicate and their movement becomes more refined.
They start to take an interest in books
Your baby can recognise shapes on the page and link them with what they see in the real world. Depth perception sharpens a great deal – they notice how objects relate to each other in space, judge depths and heights, and adjust their movements accordingly. They sense how far they need to reach for something.
To help them read the space around them well, spend time outdoors. When you go for a walk, let them ride forward facing in the pushchair so they can look around. Pick them up, walk with them and point things out such as cars and objects around you. Light is different outdoors. Indoors, lamps light objects evenly, while outside you get shadows and bright patches that show shapes differently. The change between light and dark also keeps the pupils working.
Your baby’s hearing becomes more refined
They recognise sounds in space and turn towards where they come from, gradually picking up those from behind too. They still love making a noise. Singing and nursery rhymes are must-have daily moments. Tunes, rhythms, words, rhymes and clapping do not just support listening –they also build speech skills, sense of rhythm, musical ear, social skills and constant two-way communication.
They can manage more and more movements
At 9 months babies rock on all fours, then begin to crawl, getting faster, while commando crawling may still be used because it is quick. They roam the flat. They also sit up and hold themselves steadily, then pull to stand and sit back down. They kneel if that helps them reach better.
At 10 months they crawl with real confidence and love to pull up to stand.
At 11 months they begin to step while standing and this becomes cruising. At first they shift their weight to one leg and lift the other – that is the first step.
By 12 months many can hold on with one hand and lean down with the other to pick up a toy. Some stand up without support, then plop back down onto their bottom.
Every child develops at their own pace, and that includes movement. Do not rush the stages. Early sitting or walking is not always helpful. Progress depends on build, genetics and interest. Some move forward steadily, others in bursts. Some are cautious, others bold. Many first stand while holding on around 9 months, but this varies.
If you spot a delay, it is better to see a movement specialist who can assess your child and, if needed, offer tailored exercises in time to correct delays and help avoid later learning difficulties. Do not try to follow random exercise videos – proper assessment is a professional’s job.
When to speak to a doctor
If your baby:
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at 9 months does not commando crawl and cannot sit up
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at 10 months does not get onto all fours, so crawling does not start
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at 11 months cannot sit independently and does not pull to stand
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at 12 months does not cruise while holding on
For fine motor skills in this stage you will see deliberate reaching with either hand. This needed earlier coordination between vision and movement. They can hold something in both hands and bang them together. They pinch up tiny fluff from the floor. They clap and wave.
Babies have inborn physical and emotional needs
Attachment to parents is an inborn need. It drives a baby to create a close, stable physical and emotional bond in the first year. Attachment develops through daily care, parent–baby communication and physical contact.
At first a baby seeks connection with smiles, later with sounds and behaviour. Signs of attachment appear from around 9 months. Your baby looks for comfort from their key figure, reaches out and wants to be held. A parent can help them release tension. The pattern of attachment that forms in infancy often stays with us through life, affecting empathy and emotion regulation.
It is important for a parent to be physically and emotionally available. Be sensitive enough to recognise problems and find the right response. This skill is called sensitivity.
Your child understands simple requests and shows what they want
They use facial expressions and hands to give clear signals. They use speech too, slowly turning syllables and sound strings into words. These are often “proto-words” that are not real words in the language, but your child uses them in set situations.
They understand simple questions and answer with a look or pointing. Time together really matters. Sing and say rhymes – even at bath time or during a nappy change.
Separation anxiety appears
This can first show from 6 to 8 months and is a normal part of development, though signs often appear around 8 to 9 months. It is triggered when your baby becomes more independent and starts to separate physically from Mum.
They realise they are not the same person as their mother, which until now is how it felt. This new view is scary, and they fear Mum disappearing. They may be upset if she leaves the room and cry with unfamiliar people around. This behaviour is a natural step in social development. They become more clingy and feel safest in Mum’s arms.
It is important to treat this as a normal stage of your child’s growth. Give your baby as much security as possible, and if you can, avoid doing so at this time.
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