Six Months
At the six-month checkup, the doctor covers similar ground as the four-month visit. Along with administering additional vaccines, the physician also ensures that the baby is growing and eating well. Furthermore, they assess various developmental milestones. By the age of six months, the infant should display emotions, have the ability to look at themselves in the mirror, respond to their name, and start stringing together vowels and making some consonant sounds. Additionally, they should have developed the skill to pass objects from one hand to the other. Physically, the baby should be able to roll from their back to their front and vice versa, sit unsupported, and support their weight when standing, albeit with assistance. Lastly, a final screening for maternal depression is conducted during this visit.
Nine Months
During the nine-month check-up, the pediatrician ensures that the baby is progressing well in terms of growth, weight gain, and reaching important developmental milestones. By this stage, the infant typically exhibits a preference for a particular toy and may become more attached to familiar adults while displaying wariness towards strangers. They can comprehend the word “no,” and are able to point at objects to express their desires. Additionally, their babbling becomes more sophisticated, and they produce a variety of sounds. At this age, most infants are capable of playing peek-a-boo, sitting up independently, pulling themselves up to a standing position, and crawling.