By 9–10 months, your baby is turning into a mini explorer with big curiosity. They’re more confident with movement, eager to self-feed, and showing signs of understanding routines.
This stage is a beautiful mix of new skills, stronger connections, and more active participation in daily life.
What’s Happening with Your Baby in Weeks 37–40?
Cruising everywhere. Your baby may move along furniture with ease.
Standing briefly alone. Some babies let go of furniture for a second or two.
Early steps. A few may take their first steps toward walking, while others stick to crawling or cruising a bit longer.
Better hand skills. The pincer grasp is stronger, so they can pick up small food pieces or toys.
Understanding simple words. They may respond to their name, “no,” or “bye-bye.”
More social behaviors. Waving, clapping, and playing simple games like peek-a-boo become favorites.
Your baby is now more aware of cause and effect—they’ll test what happens when they drop, throw, or bang things.
Feeding: Joining Family Mealtimes
Solids are now an important part of their daily diet.
Offer 3 meals per day, plus breastmilk or formula.
Include a variety of soft textures and finger foods they can self-feed.
Encourage eating with the family—they learn by watching you.
Introduce small amounts of family foods without added salt, sugar, or spices.
Examples of safe finger foods:
Soft-cooked veggies cut into small pieces
Shredded chicken or flaky fish
Small pasta shapes or rice
Soft fruits like banana or kiwi (cut into tiny pieces)
They’re developing chewing skills, even without many teeth, so texture variety is key.
Expanding Flavors
Now is the time to gently introduce a broader range of flavors:
Legumes like chickpeas or lentils, well-cooked and mashed.
Mild spices like cinnamon or a pinch of cumin (no strong salt or heat).
Small tastes of family foods adapted for babies—like plain soup or soft stews.
Allergenic foods like eggs, peanuts (thinned), and yogurt should now be a regular part of their diet if tolerated.
Poop Changes
As they eat more family foods:
Stools resemble more “adult-like” consistency and smell.
Colors still vary with diet.
Constipation can still happen—offer water, fruits, and fiber-rich foods.
If poop is persistently hard, painful, or has blood streaks, consult your pediatrician.
Movement and Safety
This is a very active stage.
Babies may climb over objects, pull up on everything, and reach higher surfaces.
Baby-proofing must evolve—secure furniture to walls, block stairs, and remove small choking hazards.
Encourage safe exploration by creating a “yes space” where they can move freely.
Sleep During This Stage
Most babies are on 2 naps per day, with longer awake periods of 3–4 hours.
Night sleep may be more settled, but separation anxiety can cause brief wake-ups.
Some babies practice standing or cruising in their crib, which may delay falling asleep.
Consistent routines and extra reassurance during bedtime transitions help.
Playtime and Learning
Play is now more interactive and problem-solving focused:
Stacking toys, shape sorters, and simple puzzles.
Ball play—rolling it back and forth with you.
Music toys that respond to pressing or banging.
Reading simple books with large pictures—point and name objects.
They’re learning through imitation, so narrate what you’re doing and name things around them.
A Gentle Reminder
Weeks 37–40 are full of new skills and curiosity. Your baby is no longer just watching the world—they’re actively exploring it.
They want to feed themselves, move where they choose, and communicate in their own way. It can feel busy and tiring, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to watch their independence bloom.
What’s Coming Next?
Weeks 41–44 bring the approaching first birthday milestones—more confident walking attempts, clearer babbling, and transitioning toward a true family meal routine. We’ll also talk about weaning milk feeds and balancing their diet as they inch closer to toddlerhood.