## COVER

# Healthy Start, Grow Smart

**Your Nine-Month-Old**

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# Healthy Start, Grow Smart

**Your Nine-Month-Old**

Prepared by:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2002

# Acknowledgments

This publication was an initiative of Laura Bush as the First Lady of
Texas and sponsored by the Texas Department of Health. President Bush
and Mrs. Bush have asked that this series of booklets be revised and
distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of
Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We would like to thank the Texas Department of Health for their
cooperation and assistance in bringing this publication to families
across the United States. In addition, we recognize the contributions
that Susan H. Landry, Ph.D., Craig T. Ramey, Ph.D. and many other
individuals made in the development of this magazine.

# Here's What's Inside

Nine Months---and Growing! 1

Questions Parents Ask 2

Safety First---at Every Age 4

Other Possible Hazards Need Special Attention 6

Games for Learning 7

Your Baby's Nine-Month Checkup 8

Guiding Your Baby 9

Early Intervention and Your Baby's Developing Skills 10

Games for Skill Building 11

What's It like To Be Nine Months Old? 12

Bathing Your Baby 13

Bowel Habits 14

Sleeping Patterns 15

Help Your Baby Feed Himself 16

Solid Foods 18

Breastfeeding Tips 19

Protect Your Baby's Teeth 20

Choking Hazards for Young Eaters 21

Take Time for Yourself 22

When Someone Else Cares for Your Baby 24

How Children Grow 25

Information Resources for Families 26

**Nine Months---and Growing!**

Mickey is nine months old. His parents, Lisa and José, have plans for
their family. Lisa has gone back to school and looks forward to
graduation. José has found a better job in the neighborhood superstore.

And Mickey! He has two teeth, sits up without wobbling and almost sleeps
through the night. He's pulling himself across the rug with his
arms---crawling can't be far behind. He babbles and laughs when he sees
his grandparents.

Mickey nurses several times a day, but he is always eager for his "big
boy" dinner. Tonight he will have mashed sweet potatoes, chopped spinach
and cheese. Next week he will go to the clinic for his nine-month
checkup.

Now Lisa and José are eager to know what comes next.

-   Mickey doesn't drink from a cup---is that OK?

-   And what about crawling? Will that make home life different?

-   How can Lisa and José help Mickey continue to grow, learn and laugh?

And what about you and your baby? In this issue, you will learn how your
nine-month-old baby grows and learns.

# Questions Parents Ask

Question

My mother is always telling me how to take care of my baby. I know she
means well, but it makes me upset. I don't want to hurt her feelings.
What can I do?

Answer

Grandparents naturally want to be involved in your baby's life. Other
relatives may also offer advice. They often think they can save you from
mistakes they made. They only want the best for your child.

All parents have to find their own way of rearing children. Everyone
makes mistakes. No one does it perfectly. Here are some ideas to try:

-   Be open-minded. Use the advice that makes sense to you. Forget the
    rest. For example, your mom may insist that you "dress up" the baby
    when you take him out. But you may find that your baby is more
    comfortable without a bonnet and shoes. So you dress him in a play
    shirt, diapers and socks.

-   Explain what you are doing. "We don't toss him in the air or play
    'horsy.' That kind of rough play can damage his brain."

-   Point to an expert. "My doctor told me to put him to sleep on his
    back."

-   Talk it out. Discuss feeding and snacks. "Bananas are more
    nutritious than doughnuts." Explain about bedtime and naps. "I sit
    by his bed and pat him on the back until he stops crying and falls
    asleep." Talk about playing and toys. "He loves to play 'patty-cake'
    over and over."

-   Let grandparents know specific ways they can help. "Dad, you could
    help me most by baby-sitting once a week." Or, "Mom, I never have
    enough quarters for the laundromat. Could you save some for me?"

After your explanations, grandparents and others may say, "Well, we did
it this way, and all our kids turned out all right." Avoid arguments.
Say, "Thank you for your opinion. I know you are trying to help." You
may also let them know that new information is now available on what
helps babies develop and what things to try to avoid.

When grandparents baby-sit, give them food and diapers for your baby.
Explain safety issues to them. They may have old-fashioned ideas about
safety or they may have forgotten how active a nine-month-old can be.
Have on hand anything else your baby may need, such as medicine. Explain
about any allergies or problems, like teething.

Remember that no one will care for your baby exactly as you would.
Everyone does it differently. Your baby will come to know and love his
grandparents in a special way.

**Safety First---at Every Age**

Always remember

-   Buckle your baby into a car safety seat every time he rides in a
    car. Make sure the safety seat is correctly secured.

-   Stay with your baby when he is playing near or in water. Watch him
    closely.

-   Never, ever shake your baby.

-   Put your baby to sleep on his back unless your doctor tells you to
    do otherwise. Insist that others who care for your baby do the same.

-   Serve healthy foods. Avoid sweetened, salty or fatty ones.

-   Lock up alcohol, drugs and other chemicals. These can kill your
    baby.

-   Put away knives, guns, matches, bug spray, medicine, detergents,
    disinfectants and other items that can hurt your baby. Put them in a
    place your exploring baby can't reach or open.

Home hazards

Your baby is moving around a lot more. At this age, babies are naturally
curious and get into everything. But they don't know what can hurt them.
It's up to parents to keep babies safe. Check your house for safety
hazards often:

-   Vacuum or sweep the floors. Pick up any small items such as buttons,
    coins and paper clips.

-   Latch window guards or open windows from the top.

-   Latch safety gates across stairs.

-   Lock the doors to balconies and decks.

-   Move electric fans out of baby's reach.

-   Place a protective screen around a space heater. Keep the heater
    away from curtains, paper and other materials that can catch fire.

-   If you have a gun, store it under lock and key. Make sure it is not
    loaded.

-   Check toys. If you find any loose or broken parts, repair the toy or
    remove it right away.

While your baby is awake and moving, stay close. Look for possible
dangers. A pencil may seem harmless, but in a baby's hand it could poke
an eye. Your careful watching will prevent accidents.

Water safety

Water is great for cleaning and drinking. But it can be a hazard for
babies. They can drown in only a few inches of water. Here are some
water safety tips:

-   Empty your mop bucket right after using it.

-   In the house and outside, store buckets, wash tubs and other large
    containers upside down.

-   Always keep one hand on your baby while he's in the bath.

-   Use a rubber mat, rubber decals or a bath chair to keep your baby
    from slipping in the bathtub.

-   Keep toilet lids closed. Use safety latches, if possible.

-   Save swimming until your baby is out of diapers. Play with a
    trickling hose or sprinkler instead. Babies are not toilet trained,
    so they can leave germs in swimming pools. Chlorine kills most
    swimming pool germs but not all of them. And it takes only a tiny
    number of germs to cause infections.

-   If you live near a swimming pool, make sure it is fenced and has a
    locked gate. Keep your baby away from any pools, ponds and creeks.

# Other Possible Hazards Need Special Attention

Electrical cords: Cords invite pulling and tripping. Secure the cords
along the base of the wall with clips or tape.

Electrical outlets: Cover outlets with plastic plug inserts available at
the grocery or hardware store.

Blind cords: Mini blinds and drapes often have long cords. Tie these up,
out of your baby's reach.

Lead paint: Wooden trim in older buildings is sometimes covered with
paint that contains lead. This long-acting poison can hurt your child.

Lightweight furniture: Before long, your baby will be pulling himself up
to stand. Almost all children use furniture to hold on to as they stand.
Top-heavy furniture, like a TV stand, could topple over onto your baby.
Rearrange furniture now, and you won't have to worry later.

When your baby does begin to reach for something he shouldn't, telling
him "no" in a warm but firm voice will help him learn what's not okay to
touch. It will take many "nos" before your baby will avoid reaching for
something he shouldn't. You must say "no" and continue to watch your
baby carefully. Babies this age are too young to trust to do the safe
thing. Anger isn't helpful and may only scare him.

# Games for Learning

Children learn through play, and your nine-month-old is ready to learn.
Try some of these activities to help him learn about his world while you
both have fun.

Read pictures. Share pictures, magazines and the newspaper with your
baby. Point to and name things, actions, colors and people. You might,
for example, look at a colorful ad. Point to the girl, boy, stove,
radio, lawn mower, blue shirt and gardener.

Feel textures. Cut squares of fabric and glue them to a piece of
cardboard. Try to have a variety of textures like corduroy, satin,
burlap, vinyl and fake fur. Let your baby sit with you and help him feel
each of the different textures with his hands. Describe the textures
with words like rough, smooth, soft, bumpy and prickly.

Fill and dump. Gather five or six small, empty food containers like
gelatin boxes, an oatmeal box and small cereal boxes. Tape or glue the
containers closed. Give your baby a small paper bag. Show him how to
fill the bag with groceries and dump them out again.

Love the baby. Give your baby a large baby doll or stuffed animal. Show
him how to rock and cuddle with the doll. Point to and say "eyes,"
"nose," "mouth," "ears," "tummy" and "legs," for example. Show your baby
where these features are on his body. Say "Here are the baby's ears.
Where are your ears?"

# Your Baby's Nine-Month Checkup

Babies need to go to the doctor often, even when they are well. They get
shots to keep them from catching diseases. They get a physical exam to
see how they are growing. If a problem is found, your doctor will
suggest what to do. Taking care of small problems now will often keep
them from becoming big problems later.

Doctor visits are also a good time to learn more. Ask the doctor or
nurse about such things as:

-   taking the baby's temperature,

-   giving medicine or home remedies,

-   feeding milk and solid foods,

-   giving vitamins or other supplements,

-   putting the baby to sleep, and

-   following advice on baby care that others give you.

# Guiding Your Baby

Your baby depends on you to teach him about his world. He needs to learn
about things that hurt him and about those that hurt other people. He
learns by exploring his world---with all his senses. He touches, tastes,
smells, hears and sees. This exploring sometimes leads to trouble.

For example, Jarvis wants to touch and taste the coat button he sees
under the chair. He crawls over, picks it up and starts to put it into
his mouth. Jarvis' mother catches him as he puts the button on his
tongue. She startles him when she says in a loud, angry voice, "No, no,
no. Don't put that in your mouth." Next time, rather than using a loud,
angry voice to stop Jarvis, his mother can calmly but firmly tell Jarvis
to drop the button. She can gently tell him why he should not put the
button into his mouth and then give him a safe toy to play with instead.

Parents can teach more and scold less by planning ahead. You have
already made your home safe with childproofing, but now you have a
crawling, curious nine-month-old. It's time to childproof again---with
your baby's skills and interests in mind. You can start by getting down
on the floor. Pretend you are your crawling baby. You'll see more things
down on that level than you do standing up.

# Early Intervention and Your Baby's Developing Skills

Children learn skills as they grow. These skills happen by certain ages.
A child learns skills at his own pace. You can see how your baby is
doing. Watch when he starts to crawl, walk, talk and feed himself.

If you are concerned that your baby is learning skills too slowly, talk
to your doctor. You can also call 1-800-695-0285 to get information. The
call is free. When you call, you will be told how to contact the early
intervention program in your state. Staff of your state's early
intervention program can assist you in finding help in your state.

What is an early intervention program?

An early intervention program helps children from birth to age three.
Early intervention staff can help your baby learn to roll over, sit up,
crawl and grasp toys.

They also help children who are having problems with seeing, hearing and
talking.

How does an early intervention program help?

It can help your child with needed services and also help you join a
support group.

Your family and early intervention staff can work together to plan
services. These services teach basic skills and can be done in your home
or during child care.

# Games for Skill Building

Physical skills: Your baby is probably crawling or scooting around the
floor. Help him build strong muscles and improve his balance. Build a
mountain for him to climb by piling pillows on the floor. Encourage him
to crawl over the mountain. Sit on the floor with your baby so you can
help steady him as he climbs.

Social skills: Sing songs with your baby. Borrow recordings of
children's music from the public library. Dance with the music. Or do
finger and arm motions that match the words of the song.

Emotional skills: Your baby can probably recognize himself now. Hang an
unbreakable mirror on a wall low to the ground. Encourage your baby to
look at himself in the mirror. Talk to him about the image. Say things
like "Look at Juan in the mirror. He's smiling now. Juan has curly
hair."

Language skills: Your nine-month-old is a babbler. He probably copies
sounds and soon will be saying words. Talk to him often. Play a game in
which you say sounds---"ma-ma-ma-ma," for example. Give him time to
repeat the sound to you. When he makes a sound, say it back to him.

Intellectual skills: Your baby is learning that things exist even if he
can't see them. He can follow your voice from another room. He can crawl
to get a ball that has rolled under a chair. Play "Hide and Find" with
him. Get a small object like a block or a spoon. Cover it with a small
towel or scarf. Ask "Where is the block?" Let your baby uncover the
block by moving the scarf. He'll love to play this game over and over.

# What's It Like To Be Nine Months Old?

-   I can move toys and other small things from one hand to the other.

-   I may begin to pull myself up to stand. But I need something sturdy
    to hold on to.

-   I can pick up toys, food and small things using my fingers and
    thumb.

-   I usually put a toy or food down by dropping or throwing it.

-   I have good balance and can sit by myself.

-   I crawl on my hands and knees. I may try to move up and down stairs.

-   I like to watch people, animals, things and activities around me.

-   I want to taste everything I touch.

-   I practice making noises with my mouth. I try to copy the sounds I
    hear.

-   I recognize my family and like being with them.

-   I am sometimes afraid of strangers. I don't like being away from my
    parents.

-   I like to play peek-a-boo and other games that help me find hidden
    things.

-   I like to show that I know how to use everyday items like a cup, a
    hairbrush and a ball.

-   I like songs and rhymes and can bounce-dance to music.

-   I know my name and smile when someone says it.

# Bathing Your Baby

Your baby will probably enjoy his daily bath. You may struggle to get
all of him clean while he splashes, slides and wiggles.

Your baby may have great balance and sit without support. But he still
needs the safety of a plastic baby bathtub or bath chair. If you don't
have a tub or chair, keep one arm around the baby all the time. Gather
all the things you need before he goes into the water.

Encourage water play. It helps build coordination and control. Give your
baby bath toys and let him splash, pour and catch water. Use bath time
to teach. Talk to your baby about water and his play. Even though he
won't be able to say the words yet, he'll begin to understand "empty,"
"full," "dry," "wet," "float" and "sink."

Keep your baby safe in the bath. Here are some ways:

-   Stay alert. Don't take your hand off the baby for even a second. If
    you must move away, take the baby with you.

-   Give your baby toys for the bath. Store the toys in a mesh bag that
    hangs from the showerhead. They will drain and be out of the way of
    other bathers.

-   Drain the tub right after the bath.

-   Don't let your baby go into the bathroom without you. Keep the
    bathroom door closed and the toilet lid down.

# Bowel Habits

Because your baby is eating more solid foods, his bowel movements may
change. Solid food moves more slowly through the intestines. And stools
become heavier and less frequent.

Some babies have one or two bowel movements a day. Your baby may have
one every other day. For some children that's normal. If the bowel
movement is hard and painful, check with your doctor.

It is too early for your baby to start learning to use the toilet. This
learning must wait until two things happen. Your child must be able to
feel his body's "need to go." He must also be able to get to the toilet.
Usually this doesn't happen until a child is two years old or older.
Trying to start earlier will be frustrating for you and your baby.

You can start preparing for this learning now. Talk to your baby when
you change his diaper. Say, for example, "Wow! Your diaper is so wet
this morning. Let's change it and make you clean and dry again." This
helps your baby learn the words wet and dry. This helps him connect
being dry to being comfortable.

# Sleeping Patterns

The ordinary, loving things you do every day with your baby are
routines. Putting him to bed, changing diapers, bathing and feeding are
the most common ones. Routines help your baby feel loved and safe.
Routines can also be times for learning.

At this age, most babies sleep about 13 hours a day. They may have a
long night sleep of about 10 hours, a short morning nap and a longer
afternoon nap. A nine-month-old may stay awake past regular sleep times.
This happens when your baby is excited, involved in activities or just
doesn't want to be away from you.

Avoid sleep problems by building routines that help your baby move from
active play to restful sleep. You can turn down the lights and
background noise like the TV or music. Your baby will be more likely to
go to bed if he doesn't think he'll miss something exciting.

Create a routine. This could include a soothing bath, a bedtime story
and good-night kisses to family members. Give him a stuffed animal, a
special blanket or other "snuggly." Put it and your baby into bed. If
you use a crib, keep the sides up and securely fastened.

Don't be surprised if he doesn't go to sleep right away. He may babble
to himself and later fall asleep on top of the covers. Let him form his
own comfort habits---rocking or sucking a thumb, for example. These
habits help him put himself to sleep.

Be consistent with your bedtime routine. Reassure your baby if he cries.
But make sure he knows that you mean business---it's time for bed.

# Help Your Baby Feed Himself 

By nine months of age, your baby can grasp food and get it to his mouth.
He will be more successful feeding himself if you serve the right foods
in the right sizes.

Serve finger foods as part of the main meal. For example, you may need
to spoon feed cereal and peaches, but your baby can manage to feed
himself small pieces of cracker.

Let your baby discover the tastes and textures of finger foods. Watch
your baby carefully as you give him very small pieces of the following
finger foods:

-   Toasted bread crusts

-   Crackers

-   Zwieback toast

-   Cheese cubes

-   H Cooked pasta

-   Slices of ripe peach or pear

-   Rice

Cooked vegetables also make great finger foods. Offer small amounts of
cooked squash, sweet potato, white potato, beans and carrots. Avoid raw
vegetables now. Your baby doesn't have enough teeth to chew hard food.

Equipment for happy meals

-   Highchair. If you have one, make sure it's sturdy. It should have a
    big tray as well as a harness or safety belt. Spread newspaper or
    towels underneath at mealtime to make cleaning up easier.

-   Bibs. Look for rigid plastic bibs with a pocket designed to catch
    spills.

-   Dishes. Use a heavy plastic bowl that won't slide around on the high
    chair tray table. You can serve most foods at room temperature or a
    little warmer.

-   Cups. Serve liquids in a baby cup with two handles and a lid with a
    spout. This kind of cup makes learning to drink easier.

# Solid Foods

Learning to eat solid foods is a big task for an infant. Your baby has
learned hunger can be satisfied with breast milk or infant formula. Now
he has to learn that hunger can also be satisfied with solid foods. By
nine months, your baby will probably enjoy three main meals a day with
morning and afternoon snacks. His nutrition now comes more from solid
food and less from breast milk or formula.

Continue to offer new foods. But include a variety of foods at every
meal. Most of the foods you prepare for your family are fine for your
nine-month-old. Chop food into small pieces. If your baby develops a
rash, diarrhea or signs of upset stomach after eating a new food, stop
serving it. Avoid cow's milk, honey, salt, hot spices and added sugar.

Don't worry about your baby not getting enough to eat. You don't need to
coax and urge, "One more bite for daddy." If you offer a variety of
healthful foods, your baby will eat what he needs. Just don't fill him
up with cookies, sweet drinks or juices.

If your baby is hungry for a snack, try these foods:

-   Pieces of banana

-   Thin slices of whole wheat bread and butter

-   Plain yogurt mixed with mashed fruit

-   Small, dry cereal pieces

-   Cubes of soft cheese

Satisfy thirst with water. Save juice for treats.

# Breastfeeding Tips

Your baby may be eating many kinds of solid foods. But breast milk is
still his main source of nutrition. You need to eat healthy foods to
maintain your energy and milk supply. Your body may be making less milk
now because your baby is nursing less. But if your baby wants to nurse
more, your body will make more milk.

Help your baby learn about drinking from a cup. Many parents like using
a cup with a lid and spout. This helps babies move from sucking to
sipping. You might want to put breast milk in the cup. Offer it at
meals. As your baby learns to drink, put more breast milk in the cup. Or
put water in the cup.

Your baby is learning to feed himself. That means mealtimes may be messy
and stressful. Avoid quarrels. Give your baby finger foods. Talk with
him so he will learn that mealtime is a social time. Finish with a
relaxed breastfeeding.

Sometimes your baby may want to play instead of nurse. When that
happens, let him sit on your lap. Read a story or sing a song instead.
He may not be hungry. Or he may be bored with the feeding. Remember,
nursing satisfies both physical and emotional needs. Let your baby nurse
whenever he needs a snack. Let him nurse when he needs to feel your
loving arms.

To learn more about breastfeeding, you may want to contact your local
health department, WIC clinic, hospital, La Leche League or doctor. You
can call La Leche League at 1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at
www.lalecheleague.org/.

# Protect Your Baby's Teeth

Your baby probably has several teeth by now. Baby teeth are important.
They can affect how the permanent teeth will grow.

Your baby learns by watching you. Set a good example. Brush your teeth
after every meal. Avoid eating sugary foods. Go to the dentist for
regular checkups.

If you notice any white spots on your baby's teeth, take him to a
dentist. White spots may be a sign of decay. Regular dental care starts
at age one. Emergency dental care can begin sooner.

Here are some ways to protect your baby's teeth:

-   If your baby needs a bottle to fall asleep, give him only water in a
    bottle or a cup. Liquids other than water contain sugar. Feeding at
    bedtime may leave sugar on teeth all night. Then sugar has more time
    to turn into decay

-   If you feed your baby formula, always hold him while feeding. Never
    prop the bottle.

-   If you use a pacifier, keep it clean. Don't coat it with anything.

-   Wipe your baby's teeth and gums every night. Use a wet, clean, soft
    washcloth.

# Choking Hazards for Young Eaters

Stay close to your baby while he eats. Choking is an emergency that can
be prevented. Just make sure all food is carefully prepared. Stay nearby
and watch that your baby doesn't put too much food into his mouth.

Some foods are more likely than others to cause choking. Your baby is
too young for foods that are hard, chunky or need to be chewed. Save
these foods until your baby is three or four years old. Then there will
be less danger of choking.

Look for classes on infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic
first aid in your community. Or borrow a free video on first aid from
your video store or public library. If your baby does start to choke,
call 911 right away. This is an emergency. Do what the operator says.
Stay on the line until you are sure your baby is all right.

Never feed your baby the following:

-   Hot dogs

-   Hard candy

-   Peanuts or any nuts

-   Grapes

-   Cookies

-   Meat chunks

-   Raw carrot slices

-   Peanut butter

-   Apple chunks

-   Popcorn

# Take Time for Yourself

Taking care of a baby often creates stress. You may feel stressed
without knowing it. Here are a few common symptoms:

-   Anxiety. You may worry about the baby, your marriage, money, work or
    school. You may feel guilty for not doing better.

-   Confusion. You may forget things, like where you put your keys. You
    may run late. You may feel that you just can't handle anything.

-   Anger. You may lose your temper easily. You may snap at people.

-   Sleeplessness. You may not be able to sleep well at night. Or you
    may have nightmares.

-   Fatigue. You may feel tired a lot. Or you may not feel like doing
    things you normally enjoy. You may cry easily.

-   Physical problems. You may have neck or back pain, headaches or
    stomach aches.

-   If any of this is happening to you, check with your doctor. Make
    sure there is no other reason for you to feel as you do.

Find ways to cope with stress. Here are some ideas:

-   Talk to friends and other parents. Sharing your feelings may help
    reduce stress.

-   Write down all the things that worry you. Making a list may help you
    think more clearly. Work on one thing at a time.

-   Ask for help. Ask your partner to shop for groceries. Ask a nurse
    about relaxation exercises. Talk to a school counselor or religious
    advisor.

-   Exercise. Take a walk. Push the baby in a stroller. Dance to music
    on the radio.

-   Nap when your baby does. Darken the room. Turn off the telephone.
    Play soft music.

-   Take a break. Ask someone you trust to keep your baby for an hour or
    two. Go window-shopping at the mall. Find a book at the public
    library. Visit a friend

Quick stress busters

-   Breathe deeply. Close your eyes.

-   Tighten your muscles. Then relax them.

-   Stand up and stretch.

# When Someone Else Cares for Your Baby

All parents are a little nervous when someone else cares for their baby.
You may have asked an aunt to baby-sit for a few hours. Or you may have
your baby in a state-licensed program. Anytime someone else cares for
your baby, help make it safe. Here are some ways.

Give the caregiver a phone number where you can be reached. Give the
name of your baby's doctor. Write permission to get medical help in an
emergency.

Tell the caregiver about your baby's likes and dislikes. For example, he
doesn't like carrots. And he likes his "blankey" at naptime.

Share your baby's routine. For example, he usually wakes up at 5:30 a.m.
That means he takes a nap about 9 a.m. He's slow to wake up and needs a
few quiet minutes before wanting to be with people.

Maintain a business approach. If you pay for care---even if it's your
sister---be clear about what you expect. For example, you expect the
caregiver to change wet diapers right away and then wash her hands.
Don't take advantage of the arrangement. The caregiver expects you to
pick up your baby at the time you have agreed upon.

# How Children Grow

When parents are asked what they want for their children, they usually
say they want children who

-   feel good about themselves;

-   get along with others;

-   have healthy, strong bodies;

-   are smart and successful; and

-   can talk about what they need and want.

These answers match the ways children grow and develop. All children can
develop emotional, social, physical, intellectual and communication
skills. These skills help babies grow into well-balanced, successful
adults.

All children grow and develop. But no two babies do it in the same way
at the same time. Each baby is unique. Each has strengths in some areas.
Each also has needs. If you have concerns about your baby's development,
talk to his doctor.

# Information Resources for Families

Families who are enrolled in the WIC program (Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) can get information
on breastfeeding, formula feeding and nutrition at their local WIC
office. Families eligible for WIC receive nutrition counseling and
supplemental foods such as baby formula, milk and cereal. To find the
WIC office nearest you, call your state health department or visit the
WIC Web site at www.fns.usda.gov/wic/.

For information about early childhood education initiatives, you may
contact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit
their Web site at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/teachingouryoungest/.

To learn about child care options, you may contact the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Child Care Aware by phone at
1-800-424-2246 or visit their Web site at www.childcareaware.org/.

For more information and resources on postpartum depression,

breastfeeding, and many other women's health issues call The National
Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662

(1-800-994-WOMAN). You can visit their Web site at www.4woman.gov/.

To learn more about breastfeeding, you may call La Leche League at

1-800-LALECHE or visit their Web site at www.lalecheleague.org/.

To learn more about free or low-cost health insurance for children, you
can call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Insure Kids
Now

1-877-KIDSNOW. You can also visit their Web site at
www.insurekidsnow.gov/.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) poison
control hotline, 1-800-222-1222, should be on your list of emergency
numbers. To learn more, you can visit the AAPCC Web site at
www.aapcc.org/.

Families who cannot afford a car safety seat can contact the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They can provide information on
resources that help low-income families purchase or borrow child car
seats. You may call them at 1-800-424-9393 or visit their Web site at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

To learn more about safety, you can call the Consumer Product Safety
Commission at 1-800-638-2772 or you can visit their Web site at
www.cpsc.gov/.

For information on disabilities and disability-related issues for
families, you can call the National Information Center for Children and
Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) at 1-800-695-0285 or visit their Web
site at www.nichcy.org/.

For information about programs that teach adults how to read, you can
call America's Literacy Directory at 1-800-228-8813 or visit their Web
site at: www.literacydirectory.org/.

**Coming Next Month**

Guards Against Poisons

Growing Up with Plants

Fears and Tears

Guidance and Discipline

...and much more!

This pamphlet is distributed by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture,
Education and Health and Human Services, and is in the public domain.
Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While
permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation
should be: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education
and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy Start, Grow
Smart, Your Nine-Month-Old, Washington, D.C., 2002.

To order copies of this publication,

write to: ED Pubs, Education Publications Center, U.S. Department of
Education, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398;

or fax your request to: 301-470-1244;

or e-mail your request to: edpubs@inet.ed.gov

or call in your request toll-free: 1-877-433-7827 (1-877-4-ED-PUBS). If

877 service is not yet available in your area, call 1-800-872-5327

(1-800-USA-LEARN). Those who use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) or a teletypewriter (TTY), should call 1-800-437-0833.

or order online at: www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html/.

This publication is available to download on the Department of
Education's Web site at:
www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/earlychildhood/healthystart/. It will also be
available in Spanish on the Department of Education's Web site in
December 2002.

On request, this publication is available in alternate formats, such as
Braille, large print, audiotape or computer diskette. For more
information, please contact the Department's Alternate Format Center
(202) 260-9895 or (202) 205-8113.