9-week-old baby: milestones, sleep, feeding & what to expect this week

You’ve been on this new journey for just over two months and your 9-week-old baby has probably reached plenty of milestones in that time. They'll be starting to gain more muscle strength and cognitive awareness so may be starting to show more interest in the world around them, grab at things, and lift their head for longer. As you're both settling into your new routines, now could be a great time to start joining classes and groups or start looking at sleep schedules.

Of course, all babies develop at their own pace so don't worry too much if they don't reach milestones at the same time as other babies. This is especially true if your baby was premature as the milestone timings will be adjusted.

With the help of expert guidance from Certified Infant and Child Sleep Coach, Jo Smith, and Registered Midwife, Lesley Bland BA Hons BSc Hons, we’re here to answer your questions about your 9 week old baby. Read on to discover the 9-week-old baby development milestones and baby growth spurts, plus what to consider when it comes to feeding, sleep and health.

Development milestones for 9 week old baby

 • Growth: Your little one will have grown about two inches since being born and probably gained a few pounds. It's likely they'll grow another inch this month and put on 2 pounds, but this will vary from baby to baby. By week 8, your baby should have had a 6-8 week health and development review where the doctor will have checked your baby's eyes, heart, hips and – for boys – testicles. They'll also measure your baby's weight, length and head circumference so you should have a good idea of where they are on their centile chart. If your 9-week old baby hasn't already had this check up, get in touch with your doctor.

 • Muscle control: As they’re gaining weight, your little one will start to fill out a bit, giving them those adorable chubby baby thighs and arms. By week 9 they're starting to lose some of their automatic reflexes and starting to feel the movements they're making. They will still look quite uncoordinated though.

At 9 weeks, babies may be able to raise their shoulders duringtummy time, but don’t worry if their neck muscles aren’t strong enough yet, every baby develops at a different pace.

 • Grabbing: Between week 7-10, your baby will start to see objects rather than everything being a bit of a blur and they may look at their hands and start to open and close them in week 9, for example. With your baby noticing more things on people’s faces and sounds around the room, their new interest may lead to over excitement and a lot of grabbing. As they develop their arm and hand muscles, expect to be grasped and grabbed a lot. Now might be the time to avoid those dangly earrings.

 • Making new friends: Your baby is probably more alert and sociable during the day than they used to be so now's a good time to organise play dates. As you start to settle into life with a baby, it's good for both of you to join baby groups or classes to meet other parents and babies. Meeting new friends with babies can be a chance to compare notes and share stories, and there are various social apps to help you find parent friends.

Sleep patterns and routine for 9 week old baby

Your baby should be starting to sleep in solid blocks at night, usually about five to six hours. Of course, it’s different for each baby and other hours are still completely normal so don't worry if your baby is still waking up more regularly, or even sleeping for longer. While there's no recognised sleep regression at 9 weeks, that's not to say you'll be getting a full night's sleep.

Jo Smith notes that "At 9 weeks old, a baby’s sleep can still be quite unpredictable, but this is also the time when we start to see the early signs of their circadian rhythm and melatonin production beginning to develop, typically between 9–11 weeks."

At 9 weeks old, you should be aiming for around 14–16 hours of total sleep across 24 hours with daytime naps spread evening throughout the day and wake windows of around 30-90 minutes between naps. Their nighttime sleep could stretch to 4-6 hours, but as Jo explains, "It’s normal for sleep to be fragmented, and not all babies are sleeping long stretches at night yet."

Suggested Sleep Schedule Chart

While all babies are different and you should follow your little one's cues and wake windows, the chart below offers a guide to a the rough timings your baby might follow at 9 weeks old.

Common sleep challenges at 9 weeks

Jo notes that some babies may experience the following sleep challenges:

Day-Night Confusion: Some babies still mix up day and night but this should start to settle with the melatonin production around 9-11 weeks.

Short naps: Naps may be irregular and short due to immature sleep cycles and the lack of ability to link sleep cycles. A newborn baby’s sleep cycle is around 40- 50 minutes. During this time, they move through active (REM) sleep and quiet (non-REM) sleep.

Frequent Night Wakings: Still waking often for feeding and comfort.

Overtiredness: Staying awake too long between naps can lead to fussiness and trouble falling asleep.

Overstimulation: When babies are overstimulated before sleep - by too much noise, light, or activity - it can make it harder for them to settle, leading to fussiness and difficulty falling asleep.

Top sleep tips for a 9-week-old

1. Watch wake windows:

Keep wake times to 30–90 minutes to prevent overtiredness, which makes sleep harder.

2. Establish a bedtime and nap routine:

Simple, calming sleep cues like a bath, lullaby, or gentle rocking can help signal sleep is coming.

3. Expose baby to daylight:

Take the baby outside or near windows during the day. Bright light helps reset their internal clock and reinforce the circadian rhythm.

Swaddling should still be coming in handy, but your baby’s growth spurt may be taking a toll on the wrap now. You can also use a baby sleeping bag. Also, make sure your baby is not overheating if it’s summer – it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on the temperature in your baby’s room.

Sensory & cognitive development for 9 week old baby

 • Baby babble: As well as their physical development, your baby will be starting to make cooing and gurgling noises. It’s a great chance for them to develop their ability to identify sounds, their coordination and muscle control. They also want to hear you speak and hear the different tones and pitches in different voices, so keep chatting to your baby and give them a chance to coo in response. Researchers have found that this baby babble lays the foundations for their future speech so it might seem a long way off but interacting with them will help their speech development further down the line.

• Listening skills: While your baby’s hearing has been fully developed for weeks now, their cognitive development means they will start to be more interested in the different sounds they hear around week 9. That means they may have different reactions to noise so you could play some baby sleep music when you want to signal nap time and introduce a rattle for playtime. You might find that they start to respond to your voice as well so there's a chance your baby will start smiling soon. Keep chatting and you might get to see that gummy little smile!

• Sight: Another sense your baby is developing is sight. They should show much more interest in different faces this week and into week 10 of baby's development, as their 3D vision develops. You’ll see them staring intently trying to figure you and other family members out. A 9 week old baby can see objects about eight inches in front of them and they may start turning to identify where a sound or face is in the room and watch you as you move. It’s a great time to bond with your baby as they should now react when you talk or smile at them.

Feeding and nutrition for 9 week old baby

After gaining almost three pounds since birth, your 9-week old baby is sure to be feeding more than when they were a newborn. As they continue to experience different growth spurts, they’ll be feeding more: about six to eight feeds over 24 hours is normal at this age but just keep following their lead for when they are hungry.

Feeding at 9 weeks old: Breastfeeding

Parents who bottle feed their baby will be able to measure how much baby takes at each feed, whether that's formula or expressed breast milk. However, parents who exclusively breastfeed often worry about how much their baby is taking and feel pressured by talking about mls or ounces per feed. To reassure any parent who is exclusively breastfeeding, Lesley Bland from My Expert Midwife advises that "if your baby is gaining weight, pooing and weeing as expected and behaving normally for them, then your baby is likely to be getting exactly what they need. It is important to be responsive to your baby’s feeding cues and follow their lead, in other words, let baby tell you when they want a feed and for how long."

Feeding at 9 weeks old: Bottle Feeding

If you choose to bottle feed your baby, whether that is exclusively bottle-feeding or combination feeding, you will be more aware of how much your baby is taking but the same rules apply with baby-led feeding. Lesley suggests letting your baby guide you when they are ready for a feed and how much they want to take rather than following a set plan of feeding. You may find that, just as our appetite alters throughout the day, so does your baby’s; they may want more at some feeds and less at others.

A useful rule of thumb is to offer baby 150-200ml (5 – 7 ounces) per kilo of their weight, but again, let them guide you with how much they want to take. However, if your baby doesn't want to feed, and is not gaining weight, and not pooing or weeing, your healthcare team will advise a feeding plan that will be more prescriptive about how much baby should take at each feed.

Paced Feeding

Regardless of whichever milk you choose to give your baby via a bottle, both Lesley and the NHS recommend paced bottle feeding. "This method gives your baby more control of the feeding process while at the same time creating the position and closeness of breastfeeding. By slowing down the flow of milk into your baby’s mouth it allows your baby to take regular breaks and, therefore, control the pace of feeding." This advice is echoed by the .

9-week-old baby - nappies

As they’ve gained weight and height, they’ve been feeding much more and therefore pooing more. However, many babies only poo once per day and some will fill their nappy a lot more frequently – anywhere between one and ten nappies a day is fine. If your baby is going less than three times per week, or seem uncomfortable or in pain when they go, they may be constipated and need to see a doctor. Your baby's poop colour can tell you a lot about the health of their digestive system too.

Your baby's health and safety: tips for 9 week old baby

9-week-old baby jabs

You should have had your first immunisation appointment at 8 weeks, but if you’re only just fitting it in or they had to be postponed, check our baby vaccine calendar for upcoming jabs to be aware of. Following the NHS vaccination schedule, you can expect to be offered vaccinations at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 12 months old, and before your child starts school.

• 6-in-1 Vaccination: During their 8 week vaccination appointment, they’ll receive their first dose of the 6-in-1 injection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B and Hib (haemophilus influenza type B).

• Rotavirus: They'll also get their first Rotavirus vaccine (which is a common cause of diarrhoea and sickness) and this is given orally (a liquid dropped into their mouth).

•MenB vaccine: They'll also receive their first MenB injection which protects against bacterial infections caused by meningococcal group B bacteria (MenB), including meningitis, septicaemia and sepsis.

The injections for the 6-in-1 vaccination and MenB are given in their upper thigh, one injection for each leg. It might sound traumatic, but should only take a few seconds.

You may need to postpone the immunisations further if your baby has a fever, diarrhoea or are very unwell, but if they just have a cough or cold they should be able to have them. They may have a fever after the MenB vaccine so your nurse may advise you to give your baby infant paracetamol if a fever does develop.

Colic

If your 9 week old baby is crying more than usual it could be that they're suffering from colic (defined as uncontrollable crying for more than three hours a day, three times a week for at least three weeks). They’ll usually settle in a few weeks, however Lesley Bland and the midwives at My Expert Midwife suggest trying the following to try to help them calm down:

• A nice warm (not hot) bath may help to relax and calm your fractious baby – some parents find that swaddling their baby for a bath can also help

• Skin-to-skin has been known to have calming benefits for babies and parents alike.

• White noise can be used to soothe upset babies – you can turn on an appliance that naturally produces white noise, such as a washing machine or vacuum cleaner, or even a White Noise app on your phone or tablet

• Hold your baby face down, across your arm or lap, or upright against your shoulder, and gently massage their back using a baby-specific massage product. This simple massage can help bring gassy bubbles together, making them easier to expel

• Loosely swaddling in a muslin or blanket can make them feel safe and calmer

• Wearing your baby in a sling around the house & for outings. Their closeness to you, the rocking motion, and the pressure of their tummy against you will help soothe them

• Go for a walk with your baby placed in a pram, wrap or sling, or go for a drive with the baby in a secure car seat

• Gently rock your baby in your arms or a rocker chair

• Discuss with your healthcare providers about using an over-the-counter colic remedy

• Keep a food diary if you are breastfeeding your baby. They may be sensitive to something that has been passed to them via your breast milk. Caffeine, alcohol, and dairy are often recognised as potential triggers, but other foods can also trigger sensitivities.

If you suspect your baby is crying from pain or because they are unwell, always seek advice from a healthcare professional immediately. You can contact your GP, Midwife, Health Visitor or NHS 111. Or take them to A&E or ring 999 if there is an emergency.

Crying

Even if you haven’t been dealing with colic you might be starting to wonder exactly why your baby is crying. All of this growing takes a toll on your baby, so they may be crying because they are frustrated, plus the usual hunger and sleepy cries that you’re probably used to by now.

Practical parenting tips - looking after yourself

At 9 weeks, you may still be adjusting to life with a baby. It's a big life change and it's important to try to find time to look after yourself while also looking after your new baby.

Mood: In the first year it's especially important to be aware of any changes to your mental health. Postnatal Depression can occur at any time in the first year of your baby’s life. With one in ten women suffering with postnatal depression, you’re definitely not alone. It's important to understand the signs and seek help as soon as you can.

Physical: By week 9 you should have had your own 6-8 week check up but if you haven't, contact your doctor or health visitor. If you have had this check-up, remember you can still talk to your GP about anything that might be worrying you.

Exercises: Hopefully you got into the habit of doing your pelvic floor exercises when you were pregnant but it's important to keep doing them now. If you've been signed off to exercise, you could also start doing some gentle postpartum exercises which will help both body and mind.

Conclusion

Your 9-week-old-baby is becoming more aware of their surroundings and the people they come across which makes this a great week to join baby groups or classes if you haven't already. Their eyesight is improving and they can see objects about eight inches in front of them. They should be showing greater neck strength and be able to lift their head off the mat during tummy time for a short while. This month they'll probably grown an inch and put on 2 pounds. But remember that every baby is different and will reach milestones at different times. If your baby is healthy and happy and you're feeling well, these milestones are simply average markers to consider.

About the experts

Lesley Bland

Lesley Bland is a Registered Midwife and Consultant Midwife for My Expert Midwife. She began her Midwifery career working in large teaching hospitals rotating through all clinical areas with particular emphasis on antenatal and intrapartum care. Lesley qualified as a mentor of students and developed a passion for education specialising as a Clinical Educator teaching the maternity multidisciplinary team.

Jo Smith

Founder of Jo So Sleepy Jo Smith, is a certified sleep coach and a proud mum of three wonderful girls. Her journey into sleep coaching began from her own experience as a sleep-deprived mother, navigating the challenges of sleepless nights and the quest for restful sleep. After using a sleep coach herself, which she found to be life-changing, she recognised the profound impact that proper sleep support can have on families.

Understanding firsthand how exhausting it can be to care for little ones while juggling the demands of motherhood, she knows just how crucial sleep is for both parents and children. Driven by her passion for helping families, Jo changed her career to guide parents through the sleep struggles that often arise with newborns, toddlers and children.

About the author

Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.