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Your baby: 9 months

Coitus nonexistus?
You may have thought that your sex life would subside briefly while your body recovered from giving birth, but you probably didn't expect it to go on hiatus.
 
It happens — and for a variety of reasons. Adjusting to the round-the-clock demands of parenthood can zap all your energy. You may feel self-conscious about your post-baby body. And after having a baby clinging to you all day, maybe the last thing you want is to have someone else touching you. But studies show that the more you do it, the more you’ll want it. Is it time to get back in the sack?
 
The into-everything baby
Does he crawl into your cupboards, rifle through the laundry basket, and climb onto kitchen chairs to conquer countertops and beyond? If so, you've got a "super investigator" on your hands!
 
Some babies are plucky explorers who like to venture into territory well outside the typical range of their peers. These determined little ones usually have an insatiable curiosity that literally catapults them to new heights as they climb stairs and scale furniture to "see what's up there." They’re often fascinated by toys and objects that they can take apart, including those that aren't supposed to come apart at all. While it may drive you crazy, try to remember it's how he learns about the world. Then check out our coping strategies.
 
Tips from the trenches
“Every child is different — don't compare your child's milestones to anyone else's child or to your other children. And don't be afraid to cuddle, whether they are newborn or 13 years old. You can't and won't spoil them.” — Chantal, mom of eight
 
The teenaged babysitter
A busy, nonverbal baby is a big responsibility for a teenager, so when the time comes to seek one out, you'll want to be sure your sitter is responsible, experienced and well prepared. In fact, you may both feel more comfortable if you pay him or her to come for a couple of "visits" with your baby first — use the time to get that storage closet cleaned out, or lose yourself in a novel, but be available if the teen has questions or difficulties.
 
Watch for it! The pincer grasp
Your baby's interest in small objects will help him develop the pincer grasp. When his little hands first reach out to grab small things — raisins, cereal bits, buttons — he'll probably gather them toward himself with a paw-like motion. But as he continues to touch and explore small objects, he'll eventually develop the pincer grasp, or ability to pick up an object between his thumb and index finger. Get a grasp on hand development milestones.

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