Months 7-8-9


Talking Babies learn language long before they can speak it. First they must listen to other people's words and learn to understand what they mean. Only then will they be able to produce meaningful words of their own. The importance of baby's listening and understanding is often underestimated because we tend to overestimate the importance of babies' own word production and try to force babies to produce word sounds by imitation. But we are raising a human being, not a parrot. Concentrate on giving baby opportunities to hear you talk and the pleasant social interaction in conversing with others. In the middle of the first year, most babies will carry on long babbling conversations with an adult, making a sound, pausing while the other person replies, and then answering again. The baby will continue for as long as you will go on looking at and speaking directly to him. Most sounds are single-syllable cooing noises. He may intersperse them with laughter and gurgles and hiccups of delight. During his seventh month, baby becomes increasingly on the alert for speech sounds. He begins to search the room with his eyes if you call him when you are out of sight. He will look for the source of the voice on the radio, too. Toward the end of the seventh month, baby will begin to change his cooing noises into two syllable "words" by repeating them. He will be delighted at his ability to speak and will go on for minutes at a time, entertaining himself until you choose to join in the conversation with him. Sometime during the eighth month, baby will take an interest in adult conversation, even when it is not directly aimed at him. He may turn his head to follow whomever is talking. Soon he will learn to participate in the conversation by shouting to get your attention.	NEWSLETTER Table of Contents Talking What Your Baby May Be Doing. Finger Foods Making Home Safe for Baby Baby's Checkups Hazardous Plants Sitting Big Poison Control Separation Anxiety Support Groups
Many babies follow this learning process with learning to sing. It is not an elaborate scale of notes, but the "words" are musical. His sounds will be varied and the syllables elongated. He may sound like he's asking a question or making an exclamation. He will begin to combine all the syllables he knows into long complicated "sentences" such as, "Ah-dee-dah-boo-maa." Once this kind of expression is heard, baby is on his way to speaking real words. Most babies produce their first real word during the tenth or eleventh month.

What Your Baby May Be Doing

By the end
of Month

your baby should be able to...

your baby may be able to...

7	sit without support feed self a cracker razz (make a wet, razzing sound)	object if you take a toy away work to get a toy out of reach look for a dropped object turn in direction of a voice babble, combining vowels such as "ma-ma-ma," "ga-ga-ga"

8	bear some weight on legs when held upright pass cube or other object from one hand to other rake a raisin and pick it up in fist turn in the direction of a voice look for a dropped object	stand holding on to someone or something work to get a toy out of reach play peekaboo get into a sitting position from stomach pull up to standing position from sitting

9	work to get a toy out of reach look for a dropped object	get into a sitting position from stomach play patty-cake or wave bye-bye pull up to standing position from sitting stand alone a moment or longer pick up tiny object with any part of thumb and finger say "mama" or "dada" indiscriminately
*Please Note: premature infants generally reach milestones later than others of the same birth age.*

Finger Foods
	Once babies discover they can get food into their mouths independently, the number of foods they can expertly express to the mouth increases rapidly. At first, most babies hold the rice cake or piece of bread in the fist and munch on it that way, not having learned yet to coordinate individual fingers for pickup and transport. When the problem of how to get that last piece of food which is wrapped tightly in the palm into the mouth arises, they may demonstrate their frustration with a tearful outburst. The solution for some is to open the hand flat against the mouth, for others to put the food down and pick it up again with more of it exposed. The ability to position an object between thumb and forefinger in the pincer grip doesn't develop in most babies until between nine and twelve months of age, though some perfect their pincers earlier and others later. Once this skill is mastered, it allows a baby to pick up very small objects, such as peas and pennies, and bring them to the mouth, considerably expanding the dining repertoire--and the risk of choking. Learning to handle finger foods is usually the first step on the road to dinner-table independence. At first, finger foods merely supplement a young child's diet. As baby better learns how to self-feed, a large proportion of the daily intake will be delivered by baby's own hand. Some will learn to wield a spoon reasonably well by the middle of the second year or even sooner and will switch to this more civilized style of eating; others will continue to get most of their meals to their mouths via the fingers for a long time to come. A few, usually those who were never allowed to "do it themselves" because of the time or mess involved, will insist on being fed long after they are capable of feeding themselves. The foods that qualify for first finger foods are those that baby can gum to swallowable consistency or that will dissolve in the mouth without chewing. Most of these foods should be cut into manageable cubes or chunks--pea-size for firmer items, marble size for softer foods. Good choices include whole-wheat bagel; toast; rice cakes or soft crackers that become mushy in the mouth; oat-circle cereals; corn and wheat puffs; tiny cubes of natural cheese; chunks of ripe banana; very ripe pear, peach, apricot, cantaloupe, honeydew, or mango; small chunks of cooked-to-very-tender carrot, white or sweet potato, yam, broccoli or cauliflower (flowerets only); peas (cut in half and crushed); flakes of broiled, baked, or poached fish (make sure you screen them carefully for bones); cubes of soft-cooked French toast or pancakes (make sure they are cooked without egg whites). To serve finger foods, scatter four or five pieces onto an unbreakable plate or directly onto baby's feeding tray, and replace as baby eats them. Beginning eaters, confronted by too much food, especially all in one spot, may respond either by trying to stuff all of it in their mouths at once or by sending it to the floor with one deft swipe. Feed finger foods to baby only while sitting, not while crawling or cruising around. Don't give baby foods that can be easily sucked into the windpipe, such as raisins; popcorn; nuts; chunks of meat, poultry, or hot dogs; or foods that are known to be highly allergic, such as honey, eggs, peanuts, citrus fruits, and shellfish. Once molars have come in, somewhere around the end of the year for early teethers, foods that require real chewing, such as raw fruits and vegetables or small slices of meat, can be added to baby's diet. No matter what the texture, there are some types of food that should not be introduced to baby. These include junk foods that offer no nutrition, foods prepared with added sugar or salt, and refined breads or cereals.

Making Home Safe for Baby

Now that baby is mobile, you might want to put away that Baccarat bowl you picked up in Paris or the Lalique vase your best friend gave you as a wedding gift. Your breakable items might stand as much of a chance of surviving in a living room with your baby as they would in a ring with el toro. Put your breakable items out of reach until baby is old enough and responsible enough to treat them with respect-which may be a couple of years. Do the same with any heavy items that baby may be able to pull down on himself. A good rule of thumb is anything within 12 inches of the edge of any table or shelf within baby's reach.

However, you don't have to live in a house stripped bare of ornamentation. Leave a few sturdier items of less value within baby's reach. When he reaches for them, tell him, "No, don't touch that. That's mommy and daddy's." Give him a toy and explain that it is his. If he persists in seeking the forbidden object, remove it and return in another day. Eventually he will learn what is his and what cannot be touched or played with. Then you can return the Baccarat and Lalique.

Now that baby can get around by himself, you need to look at your home from where he does. One way to do this is to actually get down on the floor yourself. From there you will see a multitude of dangers you may not have even realized existed. Another way to examine your home is to look at everything that is within three feet above the floor, the usual range of baby's reach.

Be on alert to a host of hazardous items that are found in the typical home and see that they are safely stored, generally in childproof drawers, cabinets, or chests or on absolutely out-of-reach shelves. Use the Home Babyproofing Checklist that follows to assist you in your home assessment. Hardware, drug, and variety stores sell numerous items to keep your baby safe, including cabinet locks or latches, stove guards, doorknob guards, safety gates to use at stairwells or as a barrier between living and kitchen areas, plastic corner cushioning or edge cushions to "soften" table corners, electrical outlet plug covers, non-skid decorations for bathtub bottoms, and kid-proof patio door locks.

Home Babyproofing Checklist

Keeping a Safe Medicine Cabinet

Do you keep the cabinet latched?
Do you keep safety caps on medicine packages, especially while using them around your baby?
Do you keep syrup of ipecac on hand?
Do you dispose of out-of-date medicines?
Are scissors, razor blades, pins, medicines, and other obvious hazardous materials out of reach?

Keeping a Safe Bathroom

Do you have nonskid mats on the bottom of the tub or shower?
Are tub faucets padded?
Do bathroom rugs have slip-proof backing?
Are electrical appliances away from water?
Are toiletries and cosmetics, especially nail polish and remover, out of baby's reach?
Is your bathroom door kept closed? (To prevent a toddler from locking himself inside the bathroom, disengage the door lock or place a hook high on the outside of the door to keep baby out.)
Is the toilet seat down and latched? (Babies can drown head down in the toilet.)
Do you have plastic v. glass cups and soap dishes?
Do you drain water from the tub as soon as you are finished using it? (Never leave baby unattended in the bathtub. An infant can drown in an inch of water.)

Keeping a Safe Kitchen

Are glasses used by baby unbreakable?
Do you routinely cook on back burners if your toddler is nearby, and keep pot handles turned toward the rear of the stove? Have you installed stove-knob covers?
Is there a multipurpose fire extinguisher handy?
Are knives out of reach?
Are items on pantry shelves that can break or cause choking out of baby's reach?
Do you keep small appliances unplugged?
Do you have a special play cabinet set aside for your child?
Do you have safety latches on cabinet and appliance doors?
Are cleaners, solvents, bleaches, and detergents behind a latched cabinet door, out of toddler's reach?
Are there any appliance cords dangling over countertops? (Baby can extend his reach by climbing on boxes and chairs when older.)

Keeping a Fireproof House

Are smoke alarms appropriately placed around your house?
Do you have "tot finder" stickers (available from your local fire department) on children's bedroom doors? (Place the stickers on the outside lower corner of the door. Firemen search the house on their knees. Don't place them on a window where they might advertise the location of the child's bedroom to undesirables.)
Do you keep matches out of baby's reach?
Is baby's sleepwear flame-retardant?
Do you make sure the fire is out and the screen is in place before leaving the fireplace unattended or going to bed?
Do you know the location and operation of the main disconnect switch on your electrical switch box?
Do you disconnect extension cords from the wall socket rather than leaving them plugged in? (Baby could suffer an electrical burn by biting the cord or poking the extension-cord socket.)
Is the temperature gauge on your water heater set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid scalding from tap water?
Do you set down hot coffee/tea cups out of baby's reach?
Do you avoid heating baby bottles in a microwave? (This can cause hot spots.)

Taking a Safety Walk Around the House

Is your floor clear of items which can cause choking or are dangerous, such as plastic bags, plastic wrap, balloons, scissors, sewing tools, guns?
Do you keep plastic garment and grocery bags safely out of baby's reach?
Are the windows above ground level protected with window guards?
Are dangling drapery cords, clotheslines, lamp cords out of reach?
Are your tablecloth corners folded under the tabletop so they don't dangle within baby's reach?
Do you push dangerous or breakable items toward the center of the table?
Are area rugs removed from the path of a tripable toddler?
Are the edges on your furniture (table corners, coffee-table corners, etc.) covered with rubber protectors or adhesive-backed weather stripping?
Are unused electrical outlets covered with caps or is heavy furniture in front of them to prevent baby from inserting something such as a key or hairpin in them or probing with a drooly finger and getting a shock?
Do you routinely check electrical cords to make sure they aren't frayed?
Are you aware of and have you removed toxic plants? (See "Hazardous Plants" on this page.)
Do you keep sliding glass doors closed? Or, when open, are the screens locked?
Are windows properly locked and screens behind them secure?
Are openings between upright posts on the stairs or balconies less than five inches? And have you checked to see that none are loose?
Are painted surfaces that are within baby's reach lead-free?
Do you routinely check for loose knobs on furniture or cabinets so that baby can't remove and swallow or choke on them?
Do you have protective grills or other barriers in front of the fireplace or stove to keep small fingers from hot surfaces? Have you removed space heaters from baby's play area?
Are heavy knickknacks and bookends placed out of baby's reach so he can't pull them down on top of himself?
Are washer and dryer doors kept closed?
Is the remote control for the garage door out of baby's reach?
Are paints, solvents, insecticides, and other chemicals out of reach?
Do stairwells have safety gates positioned both at the top and bottom steps?

What you can expect at baby's checkups
	The nine-month check-up will include questions about how you and baby and the rest of the family are doing at home, and baby will receive a physical examination, including a recheck of any previous problems. The developmental assessment may include evaluation of baby's ability to sit independently; pull up with or without help; reach for and grasp objects; rake at and pick up tiny objects; look for a dropped or hidden object; respond to his or her name; recognize such words as "mommy," "daddy," "bye-bye;" and to enjoy social games such as patty-cake and peekaboo.

Hazardous Plants
	Baby tends to put anything and everything in his mouth, and plants or flowers are no exception. Place houseplants out of baby's reach where baby can't get to them by climbing, pulling-up, or crawling. Better yet, get rid of any poisonous houseplants. The following list is meant only as a general guide. Consult your physician or the Poison Control Center for more information.

Poisonous Plants
The following plants are poisonous, some in very small doses. *Accidental ingestion requires* treatment.**
amaryllis autumn crocus azalea bird-of-paradise bittersweet buttercup castor bean croton daffodil daphne delphinium dieffenbachia elderberry	elephant's ears English ivy fishtail palm foxglove hemlock holly berries hyacinth hydrangea iris Jerusalem cherry jimsonweed larkspur lilac	lily of the valley mistletoe morning glory narcissus nightshade oleander* peace lily philodendron poison ivy poison oak poison sumac pokeweed poppy	rhododendron rhubarb leaves (stalks are edible) schefflera spider lily sweet pea tomato plant stems and leaves wild mushrooms wild tobacco wisteria yew
* Oleander is very poisonous; eliminate from house and yard.

Nonpoisonous Plants
The following plants are not harmful. *Accidental ingestion does not usually require* treatment.**
African violet aralia baby's breath bamboo Boston fern carnation Christmas cactus chrysanthemum coleu coralberry dandelion donkeytail dracaena	eucalyptus fatsia fern (most types) fire thron forsythia gardenia goldfish plant Hawaii ti hen and chickens hibiscus honeysuckle hoyo jade plant	laurel lipstick plant marigold mint monkey plant mother-in-law tongue Norfolk pine ornamental pepper peperomia piggyback plant pilea pink polka-dot plant plectranthus	polmus prayer plant rose rubber plant sensitive plant snapdragon spider plant Swedish ivy tulip violet wandering Jew weeping fig yucca

Sitting Big

During this trimester, baby may begin to master sitting. This means that baby no longer needs his head and arms for balance props but can use them for communication and play. When the skillful sitter begins turning his head to follow you and lifting his arms to gesture or to play, baby is truly sitting alone.

When baby can sit alone better, parents can sit alone longer. Sitting skillfully alone and playing is a major relief milestone for parents. Once he masters sitting, baby becomes more of a high-chair and floor baby.

Once baby masters sitting without support, a whole new world opens for him to explore. He now sees his environment straight on, an entirely different perspective from the one he gets lying on his back. Now the stage is set for lungeing and crawling, as baby moves out to explore a wider world. While no two babies crawl the same, most follow a similar sequence of development. Intense curiosity, coupled with increasing strength in trunk, arm, and leg muscles, propels baby to lunge forward in pursuit of a desired toy. Place your baby's toys just beyond his reach, and you will notice that he lunges to lengthen his reach, extending his hands and arms to rake the toy in pawlike fashion until it is comfortably within reach. Baby has just translated a stationary skill into a moving skill. This is the precursor to crawling.

Next, baby will learn to fold his outstretched legs in toward his body. This tucked-in position shortens the rocking axis, allowing baby to roll forward over his feet. As he begins to lunge forward on his little rocker-bottom, he builds up momentum until the forward lungeing movements of his body gradually overcome the wide weight of his bottom, and he falls, usually on his tummy, just short of his intended goal.

Baby's first crawls are frustrating. Just like a stuck turtle, baby's propelling arms and legs kick, but his heavy abdomen won't budge off the ground.

The styles of beginning crawlers are various. Some inchworm along the floor. Some use a commando-type crawl, with baby squirming forward on his tucked-in elbows, his head scanning from side to side searching for objects to capture. Some babies begin moving more backward than forward. Others prefer the thrusting motions of the legs as they dig in with their feet, thrusting themselves forward in a leapfrog fashion.

Until baby can get his pelvis and abdomen off the ground, his crawling is inefficient. Once his heavy middle is raised, making a bridge, he's off. Baby first rocks back and forth on hands and knees. Now he's up on four wheels and ready to explore ways of rolling on them. Acknowledge your baby's performance. Praise him, and he may give you an encore.

Baby's desire to ascend from a horizontal to a vertical position stimulates him to grab hold of furniture or parent's clothing to pull himself upright. Once baby has mastered the skill and energy needed to pull up to a standing position, he wants to stay there and enjoy the view. At this stage, baby may stand briefly while holding your hand only for balance. An eight-month-old may be able to lean against a sofa for five to ten minutes. At this stage, many babies do not plant their whole foot on the floor, preferring to stand on tiptoe with their feet turned in, a position that greatly compromises their balance. You can help baby by gently turning his feet out and planting them flat to use as a base. By taking some of the frustrations out of failed attempts, you can help baby enjoy a new skill and reinforce its development.

Poison Control

Every year, some 130,000 children in the United States are victims of accidental ingestion of hazardous substances. To protect your baby from perils, do the following:

Lock all potentially poisonous substances out of reach and out of sight.
Avoid buying brightly colored or attractively packaged household cleaners, laundry detergents and other substances. They attract baby. Also avoid toxic sub- stances with attractive food fragrances (such as mint, lemon, or apricot).
Purchase products with childproof packaging, when possible.
Make it a habit to return hazardous items to safe storage immediately after each use; don't put furniture polish or moth balls down for even a second to answer the phone.
Store food and non-food items separately, and never put nonedibles in empty food containers. Babies learn very early to identify where their food comes from and won't understand why they can't drink what's in the juice bottle.

When discarding potentially poisonous substances, empty them down the drain, rinsing the containers before discarding unless the label instructs otherwise. Never dump them in a wastebasket or kitchen garbage can.
Choose the less hazardous product over the one with a long list of warnings when possible. Some household products considered less hazardous: non-chlorine bleaches, vinegar, Bon Ami, borax washing soda, lemon oil, beeswax, olive oil, non-chemical flypaper, Elmer's glue, mineral oil.
To help you think poison whenever you see one, put "poison" labels on all possibly poisonous products or mark them with an "X."

Keep syrup of ipecac on hand and the Poison Control Center number (800-764-7661) by the phone, just in case.

Separation Anxiety
	Why does separation anxiety occur? Separation anxiety seems to peak at the time when baby begins experiencing locomotor skills. Don't feel you have made your baby too dependent on you and that he will remain clingy and hesitant to develop a healthy independence. On the contrary, separation anxiety is often a measure of how secure a baby's attachment is and how secure he will ease into independence.		Let's say baby is playing in a room full of strange toys and strange babies. He begins to cling to you. Instead of reinforcing his fears, give baby the "It's okay" cue. Baby will release from you and become familiar with the different environment, periodically checking back into home base for reassurance that it's okay to proceed into more unfamiliar situations. As soon as baby becomes familiar with one level, he goes on to another level. As baby continues to gain independence, he checks in to be sure someone is there supporting his growth.

Support Groups for New and Experienced Parents

Opinions published in BEGINNINGS newsletters are those of individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of Verdugo Hills Hospital or its medical staff. If you have any questions regarding your baby's health, contact your physician.

Talking

What Your Baby May Be Doing

Home Babyproofing Checklist