Baby development at 9–12 months

Week by week in the Oror guide

In the app, the right card opens by itself every week, and you can tick what you have tried.

1. Week 48

   A first word

   Many babies say a first word around their first birthday — usually “mama” or “dada”.

   Try this

   • Name everything you do together
   • Answer their word with a whole sentence

   You may notice

   • Says “mama” or “dada” to the right person
   • Knows their own name

   Good to know

   • Don’t correct — just say the word back the right way

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t babble or use gestures
2. Week 40

   Cruising

   Once standing, your baby side-steps along the sofa, holding on.

   Try this

   • Line toys up along the sofa
   • Let them go barefoot indoors — they feel the floor better

   You may notice

   • Walks holding on to furniture
   • Lowers themselves from standing to sitting

   Good to know

   • Pad sharp corners along their “route”

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t pull up even holding on
3. Week 41

   Understands more than they say

   Your baby understands simple words and “no”. They may look at a thing when you name it.

   Try this

   • Ask “Where’s the ball?” and wait
   • Give simple requests: “Give it to me”

   You may notice

   • Looks at a thing when you name it
   • Understands “no” (pauses briefly)

   Good to know

   • Say “no” less, and show what they can do instead

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t look when you name familiar things
4. Week 42

   A rhythm to the day

   A predictable day calms your baby. Many have two naps at this age.

   Try this

   • The same order every day: eat, play, sleep
   • Read the same short book before bed

   You may notice

   • Sleeps in longer stretches at night
   • Has regular naps

   Good to know

   • Screens aren’t recommended before 18 months, except video calls

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Wakes very often and can’t settle
5. Week 43

   Copying you

   Your baby copies your moves — clapping, waving, sounds. Imitation is a big way of learning.

   Try this

   • Play “do what I do”
   • Give a toy phone or a hairbrush

   You may notice

   • Copies your gestures
   • Plays simple games like pat-a-cake

   Good to know

   • Include them in daily chores — they’ll be your “helper”

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t copy any movements
6. Week 44

   Pointing

   Pointing is a big step in communication: “look!”, “I want that”.

   Try this

   • Point and name: “Look, a bird”
   • On walks, stop at whatever they point at

   You may notice

   • Points with a finger
   • Looks where you point

   Good to know

   • Answer every point — it encourages talking

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t look when you point at something
7. Week 45

   Blocks

   Your baby loves putting in, taking out and knocking down. Toppling a tower is still more fun than building.

   Try this

   • Build a tower and let them knock it down
   • Give big blocks to stack

   You may notice

   • Puts things into a container
   • Tries to put one block on another

   Good to know

   • Keep toys simple — fewer toys help them focus

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t grab and let go of things on purpose
8. Week 46

   “Me do it”

   Your baby wants to do everything alone — eat, grab, choose. Let them try.

   Try this

   • Offer a choice between two things
   • Let them drink from a cup with your help

   You may notice

   • Feeds themselves with fingers
   • Tries drinking from an open cup

   Good to know

   • Spills are fine — put a washable mat under the chair

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Shows no interest in food, or loses weight
9. Week 47

   Steps holding hands

   Holding your hands, your baby can take steps. First independent steps can come anywhere from 9 to 18 months.

   Try this

   • Walk together holding both hands
   • Step back a little and call them

   You may notice

   • Walks holding your hands
   • Stands briefly without holding on

   Good to know

   • Shoes only outdoors — barefoot is best at home

   Talk to a doctor if

   • Doesn’t stand even with support
10. Week 49

    First pretend play

    Your baby may “feed” a doll or “talk” on a toy phone. It’s the start of imagination.

    Try this

    • Feed a doll together
    • Call grandma on a toy phone

    You may notice

    • Uses things the right way: brushes hair, drinks from a cup
    • Focuses on their own play

    Good to know

    • Keep your play simple and cheerful

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Doesn’t play with toys in any way
11. Week 50

    A safety check

    A baby learning to walk reaches higher. Time to check your home again.

    Try this

    • Play near stairs together, watched
    • Teach the word “hot”, pointing from a distance

    You may notice

    • Climbs onto low things
    • Explores every corner

    Good to know

    • Stair gates, window locks, and never leave water in the bath

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Loses skills they already had
12. Week 51

    Music and dancing

    Your baby moves to music and loves your songs. Rhythm helps language.

    Try this

    • Dance together to different rhythms
    • Let them drum on a pot with a spoon

    You may notice

    • Sways to music
    • Tries to “sing” with you

    Good to know

    • Folk songs and lullabies connect generations

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Doesn’t respond to music or sounds
13. Week 52

    One year old

    Happy first birthday! At one, many babies stand, walk holding on and say first words. Doctor’s visit and vaccines as scheduled.

    Try this

    • Celebrate and take photos
    • Look through the year’s photos together

    You may notice

    • Waves “bye-bye”
    • Walks holding on to furniture

    Good to know

    • Every child has their own pace — compare them only with themselves

    Talk to a doctor if

    • Doesn’t stand even holding on
    • Says no words and doesn’t point