Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is vital for the formation of red blood cells and producing energy. Where to find Vitamin B12? You can find Vitamin B12 in animal produce such as poultry and eggs.

Iron
Your iron levels may drop during breastfeeding. As such, replenishing your iron levels is important to prevent fatigue or an impaired immune system. Where to find Iron? Iron can usually be found in lean red meat and green leafy vegetables.

Calcium
As you might experience transient bone loss while breastfeeding, taking in calcium helps to build and maintain bone health. Where to find Calcium? Common sources of calcium include nuts and dairy foods such as milk and cheese.

As your 9-month-old baby continues to grow and develop, consider offering him some new foods, in addition to breast milk:

• Finger foods: Cut up pieces of lightly toasted bagel, small pieces of ripe banana, well-cooked and cooled spiral pasta, teething crackers, and low-sugar, O-shaped cereal.
• Small amounts of protein: Egg; pureed cooked meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins, such as lentils, split peas, pintos, and black beans.

Getting a Grip

Shake, rattle, and roll! Your 9-month-old baby might be developing the ability to grab anything within reach. So be mindful to keep harmful objects out of sight. He might be able to say “mama” too. But it’s completely normal for babies to go months longer before they start saying recognisable words.

Standing Tall

All babies develop at different rates. You should not be concerned if your baby does something later or earlier than your friend’s children. In general, by the end of your baby’s ninth month, he will likely be able to do the following:

• Pull himself to a standing position.
• Walk while holding on to furniture.
• Grab objects with his thumb and index finger.
• Wave “bye-bye”.
• Understand “no”.

Here are some things you can do to inspire and stimulate him:

• Play peek-a-boo with him in front of a mirror.
• Read him books, naming objects and people as you travel through the pages.
• Teach him games such as pat-a-cake and “how big is the baby?”
• Like always, keep hugging and cuddling him whenever possible, soothing and calming him when he’s fussy, smiling and chatting with him, and singing softly to him at bedtime.

Separation Anxiety and Reassurance

Just when you thought your 9-month-old baby was sleeping through the night for good, he’s up again. Now, he’s struggling with separation anxiety. He wakes up looking for you and for reassurance.

For a restful night sleep, try the following:

• Continue a consistent bedtime ritual for 10 to 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Encourage him to go to sleep with his blankie or stuffed animal to comfort him when he’s afraid, and reassure him when you’re not there.
• Go to him when he cries and soothe him by talking to him and patting or rubbing his back. Try not to turn on the light, rock him, walk with him or take him out of his crib.
• Check for a wet diaper or signs of illness.

A Soft-Toy Could Help

The Importance of Comforting Objects

Stuffed animals, toys, or blankets can be a big part of your baby’s emotional support system.

In your baby’s psyche,  these objects have the power to:

• Comfort him when he’s upset, afraid, or stressed.
• Help him feel at ease in an unfamiliar place.
• Reassure him when you’re not there.
• Help him get to sleep.

Contrary to some theories, using a transitional object is not a sign of insecurity. It actually shows that your baby has been loved and nurtured, and that he is able to comfort himself. This is important as he becomes more independent.

Your baby will want to take his cuddly everywhere and may prefer it unwashed, because it has his scent on it. This may be what’s so comforting about it.