At 9 months, what developmental milestone should a baby achieve?

At nine months of age, a typical developmental milestone for a baby is the ability to crawl or cruise with support. Crawling refers to the movement pattern where the baby moves forward on their hands and knees, while cruising involves walking while holding onto furniture or other stable objects for support.

Most infants begin crawling around 6 to 10 months, and cruising typically occurs as they gain more confidence and strength. At this age, babies are developing their gross motor skills, which include movements related to large muscle groups and coordination.

Standing independently, for instance, usually occurs closer to 11-15 months. Walking without assistance generally emerges even later, typically around 12-15 months. Speaking a few words may begin to happen around 10-14 months as language development progresses, but it is not an expected milestone at the nine-month mark. Thus, crawling or cruising with support aligns most accurately with the developmental expectations for a nine-month-old.