Parenting Tips for Your 9 Month Old Baby
Researchers find that men and women play differently with babies. Men are more likely to swing babies around, lift them high in the air, bounce them high and low, and tickle and chase them. Babies enjoy this. Mom’s often worry. Some women would say that men are too wild. Most babies love active play. But keep it safe! Some games are too rough to play with babies.
Never shake a baby! This can lead to blindness, brain damage, or death.
Never jerk a baby’s arm. If you swing him around in a circle, never hold him off the floor by the hands. This is far too much stress for your baby’s elbows and shoulders. These joints could easily be dislocated. Hold him under the arms by his chest instead.
Don’t throw your baby in the air. He could fall if something distracts you. Instead, lift him over your head without letting go.
Some fun and safe ways to play with your baby include:
- Chasing him as he crawls
- Rolling him along the floor
- Holding him so he flies like an airplane
- Dancing with your baby
These are not good activities at bedtime, however. Your baby can get very excited with an active game such as “chase.” Most babies find it hard to calm down and fall asleep after such fun. Some babies become so wound up that they are too exhausted to sleep. Instead of sleeping, they thrash about and cry.
Good bedtime activities are playing quiet games, listening to relaxing music, reading, and looking at simple picture books.
