Your Baby Week 38
By week 38, your baby may begin to attempt standing on his own, even if just for a few seconds! The practice she has been getting in while cruising and pulling up have strengthened the muscles in her legs and have given her the confidence to try to let go and take a risk!
Some infants may still be a little weary of standing alone or pulling up. If your little one begins to cry for you after they pull up, or in the middle of a cruising session, don't worry, they are probably just unsure of how to safely get down from the standing position. They may need a little help for a while. Just gently place them down on their bottom and keep in mind that they will be growing out of this phase shortly!
Social Development
While your child's physical development may be very obvious to spot, signs of her social development may be more subtle. Of course there are the obvious flirtations and interactions with strangers in line at the grocery store, or repeating certain acts or tricks if family members applaud.
In addition to performing for others to win praise, your 9 month old is probably also developing some empathy for those around her. Have you noticed whether or not she cries when she hears another child cry? This is a great demonstration of her sensitivity to others' emotions.
She may also be learning how to comfort herself when she feels anxious or tired. You may notice that she repeatedly chooses a special toy or blanket to sleep with or hold whenever she feels those emotions.
Toys
Now that your infant is more and more interested in her environment, you may want to make sure she has toys that stimulate her intellect. Stuffed animals are great but you may want to try to pick up an activities mat with moving parts for her to play with. Blocks are also a great toy for learning about the environment and of course, anything that makes noise is sure to be a hit. Many toy stores carry instruments specifically made for this age group, like little plastic drums, keyboards and even little xylophones!
