Week 39: Big Feelings, Bigger Connection
At 39 weeks — almost 9 months old — your baby is growing into their own little person. And with that comes big feelings. Frustration, excitement, joy, fear, and determination are now expressed clearly through body language, facial expressions, sounds, and even early gestures.
This week is all about emotional development — and your baby is watching closely to learn how feelings work, how people respond, and how connection helps everything feel safer.
Development
Your baby may now:
Pull to stand frequently and begin experimenting with balance
Cruise smoothly along furniture or transition between surfaces
Wave hello or goodbye with encouragement
Recognise familiar people in photos or mirrors
Show strong preferences for familiar routines, toys, or people
Emotionally and socially, they might:
Protest separation more strongly
Light up when reunited with loved ones
Seek comfort more quickly when startled or upset
Begin offering toys to you or mimicking your actions
This week is about trust. Your baby is learning that when they express a feeling, you respond — and that lays the groundwork for emotional intelligence.
Sleep
Separation anxiety may spike during sleep times, especially:
When laid down at nap or bedtime
During night wakes, where reassurance is needed
If a routine change or new environment is introduced
Support your baby by:
Keeping pre-sleep routines calm and familiar
Staying consistent with how you respond overnight
Offering extra closeness before sleep — this doesn’t create “bad habits,” it creates safety
Some babies are also shifting nap lengths or consolidating naps. Follow their cues, but don’t force a change too quickly — nap transitions can take weeks.
Feeding
Feeding continues to evolve:
Your baby may use their pincer grasp to pick up smaller pieces of food
They might want to drink from a small open cup with your help
They may start mimicking your eating sounds or gestures (“mmm!” or “cheers!”)
Offer a wide variety of foods without pressure. Some days they’ll eat a lot, other days very little — this is normal.
Breastmilk or formula remains a critical part of nutrition and connection. If your baby feeds more often right now, it may be emotional comfort rather than hunger — and that’s just as important.
Play and Interaction
Your baby’s play is becoming more social:
They want you to join in — not just watch
They love turn-taking games like rolling a ball or handing you blocks
They mimic your movements (clapping, nodding, banging)
They may begin to show early signs of pretend play (offering you a toy “drink” or pretending to talk on a toy phone)
You can support this by:
Following their lead and mirroring their actions
Using playful language and expressive faces
Pausing in conversation to give them space to “talk” back
Remember, you are still their favourite toy.
Top Tip of the Week
“Your calm response to your baby’s big feelings teaches them that emotions are safe — and so are they.”
Real Life Reflections
If your baby is clingy, easily upset, or suddenly protesting every nappy change, you’re not doing anything wrong. This is a phase of emotional intensity — and it means they trust you enough to bring those feelings to you.
You don’t have to fix every cry. Just showing up — with arms open, voice soft, and heart patient — is more than enough.
And yes, it’s okay to feel touched out. Take micro-breaks, tag out when you can, and keep snacks and water nearby.
Looking Ahead
In the coming weeks, you may see:
Standing unassisted for longer
Taking small steps while holding onto your hands
More mimicry of your words, gestures, and facial expressions
Stronger signs of separation anxiety and object permanence
Each new skill builds on the trust and connection you’ve nurtured. You’re not just guiding their growth — you’re growing with them.
Further Reading:
Distraction and Breastfed Babies Around 9–10 months, babies often become more distracted during breastfeeding sessions due to developmental milestones like crawling and standing. This article explores how these changes can affect feeding patterns and offers strategies to maintain a strong breastfeeding relationship during this stage.
Infant Sleep Development Understand how significant developmental milestones, such as increased mobility, can disrupt sleep patterns in babies around 8–10 months. This piece delves into the reasons behind increased night waking and provides insights into supporting your baby's sleep during these transitions.
Baby-Led Weaning: Keep It Simple Explore how baby-led weaning can be a straightforward approach to introducing solids, allowing your baby to explore family foods at their own pace.
