Your baby: 9 months old

Ready for cow’s milk?

If you’re itching to transition your baby from formula (so expensive) or breastmilk (so mama-centric) to cow’s milk, nine to 12 months is typically when Canadian doctors give parents the go-ahead. But there are a few things to consider.

Taking it slowly is key, starting with milk as a supplement to your baby’s usual drink and proceeding gradually. Choose 3.25% milk, at least until your baby turns two because they need the higher calories and fat content—and, hey, if it makes your coffee creamier, you’ve earned every ounce.

The checklist of milestones for a nine-month-old may seem long, but you’ve probably lost track of just how many things your baby has learned to do in the past few weeks. Among the goals, your baby should be able to babble a series of different sounds, pass an object between their hands and even understand simple instructions, like “Wave bye-bye.”

Their pincer grip is improving—all the better to eat the bugs off the floor—and they should be mobile in one way or another, either crawling, scooting or rolling.

While many new skills are happy events, you may find it hard to celebrate that moment when your baby starts climbing. The stairs, the shelves, into the dishwasher, out of the crib? How many places can you block? How many gates can you install? A baby who is determined to climb is hard to stop, and your attempts at babyproofing may be making those stairs even more dangerous if you don’t do it right.

No, you’re not imagining it. Your baby is not too young to have discovered the joys of, ahem, self-soothing. Some baby boys figure out the fun when a diaper isn’t in the way (typically on the changing table or in the bath), while baby girls may find that rhythmic rocking with some pressure in the right place brings pleasure.

It’s just the start of your baby’s exploration, and your reaction matters, so try not to seem shocked. While it’s too early to explain private places for private play, there’s no harm in it if the social situation allows—and heck, happy baby, happy mama, right?

Mat-leave accomplishments?

Had you planned to really triumph during your time off work with baby? Maybe learn a language, write a novel, get in the best shape of your life or paint all the bedrooms? Nine months in, with the end of your mat leave in sight, you may be coming to terms with the limitations of infant care and the disappointment of not accomplishing quite as much as you’d planned.

Still, you’ve nearly raised an infant to toddlerhood—which is nothing to sneeze at—probably ploughed through some serious Netflix and accomplished a whole lot of bending, reaching and squatting exercises over and over, which is almost like yoga.

Mom friendships

Have you dreamed of making new BFFs among the mommy crowd, bonding over baby milestones and sleepless nights and hanging out in all the coolest baby groups? Haven’t we all, only to be thwarted by social awkwardness, bad timing and control-freak playgroup leaders?

Car seat

If you had an infant-specific car seat, now is likely the time to invest in a convertible car seat or rotating car seat. These grow with baby till they're at least 40 pounds, or likely through their preschool years.

You probably have gotten away with a tiny infant stroller till now, but baby is sitting up and more alert. They need a stroller that supports their transition into toddlerhood. If you have more than one child at home, consider one of the best double travel strollers or a trendy wagon stroller. Our favorite affordable pull style? The Jeep Wagon stroller.

High chair drop zone

Has your little scientist discovered the cause and effect of gravity and the high chair tray? The variable velocity of purées versus puffs? The game that no parent loves to play hits hard at this age as your baby finds out how fun it can be to drop or throw food that was lovingly diced or prepared moments earlier by their exhausted mama. Don’t overreact. Instead, try to reduce the fun and anticipate the end of a meal before your baby gets bored.

Crazy cat lady reformed?

Everyone adores their pet (their fur baby!) until a human baby comes along and then, boy, priorities shift (and guilt sets in). One crazy cat lady tells her story.