Between 6-9 months, babies are starting solids, crawling, pulling up on things, and are requiring more interaction. Oh, and don’t forget about teething! Here are some products that I used and recommend for babies who are 6-9 months old.
High Chair
You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money on a high chair. In my opinion, if its constantly covered in sweet potatoes, carrots, apple sauce, and bananas, I want something easy to clean. We purchased the ANTILOP High Chair from IKEA. It’s cheap and easy to clean. We purchased the support pillow and used it for a month or so until Ben was able to sit up on his own. I stopped using the fabric cover because I felt like I was washing it twice a week.
High Chair Cup Strap
You will definitely need something to keep utensils and cups off the floor! I purchased this adjustable strap off Amazon. My only complaint is that it is fabric and difficult to keep clean. Since it’s used during mealtime, it soaks up everything. We just toss it in the dishwasher, but I considered getting a silicone strap instead (like this one).
Self Feeders
Babies start to learn independence around this time. They like to explore foods with their fingers and feed themselves. Ben was a BIG fan of self feeders. We started with the Boon Pulp Silicone Feeder which was a great transition! It was small enough and the holes were tiny which helped keep the flow of food slow. I felt pretty confident letting Ben learn how to eat on his own. We eventually upgraded to the Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder, but they mesh bags allow more food and it comes out faster. Ultimately, Ben loved the independence and being able to feed himself!
Pouch Toppers
Continuing with independence and self feeding, we purchased the Choomee SoftSip Food Pouch Tops. They fit on top of any pouch and they regulate the flow of food. Ben (and me) was covered in food before we bought these toppers. You have to bite down and suck to get the food out. We are still using these at 11 months. They are a lifesaver!
Sippy Cup
With learning to eat, comes learning to drink out of a cup! There is a wide variety of sippy cups. We chose to start with the Munchkin Miracle 360 Sippy Cup and Ben learned how to use it pretty quickly! I like that it has a flat edge and not a “sippy” spout. I personally believe this helps the transition to open cups.
Walker
Ben loved his jumper! But when we visited my parents in Florida, we needed something to keep him busy. We picked up a walker at a second hand store and it was a hit! He quickly loved being able to explore and move around our home. We got a used Disney Winnie the Pooh Walker. I had always read that walkers were dangerous, but we decided that we would never leave him unsupervised. We also have the VTECH Sit to Stand Walker. This was another second hand find. Ben loved playing with it before he could pull up, especially the peek-a-boo barn door! It’s not a sturdy and would tip forward if Ben climbed on it.
“Never Touch A” Books
Never Touch a Dinosaur was given as a baby shower gift. I had no idea how much Ben would LOVE this book. It is a fun read for mom or dad while baby feels all of the different textures. We later bought Never Touch a Monster and they’re easily two of Ben’s favorite books! There’s a series of Never Touch A books including: Spider, Dragon, Porcupine, Shark, Tiger, Polar Bear…and more!
Outdoor Swing
We like to spend time outside, so we decided to hang a baby swing on our screened porch. We have spent at least 30 mins every day outside on the swing. It’s been such a nice convenience! We’ve had friends come over and use it and later purchased their own.
Bath Toys
Ben loves bath time! Sometimes we take 2 baths a day because they are so much fun. I purchased the Munchkin Ocean Squirt Toys and Boon Stacking Boats, and they’ve kept us pretty busy in the tub!
Stacking Cups or Blocks
My father-in-law handmade some wood blocks for Ben. We’ve been playing with them regularly now that Ben is sitting up. We also purchased these stacking cups off Amazon. We’ve been working on Ben’s stacking motor skills, but he just liked to bang them together. Whatever keeps him happy!
Ball/Rolling Toys
When Ben started to crawl, we purchased a few balls and rolling toys to help entice him to crawl across the room. A few recommendations are the Oball Rattle Toy and Music Shake Dancing Ball.
Baby Gate
We have one gate at the top of the stairs and two gates in our living room. If you have a wide opening between rooms (our living/dining and entrance area is very wide open), I’d recommend this Toddleroo Deluxe Extra Wide Gate. For the top of the stairs, I was looking for something simple, white and adjustable. This Toddleroo Tall Easy Swing & Lock Gate works great!
Of course we have a bunch of toys and books, but the items listed above are solid winners! Stay tuned for my 9-12 month recommended products.
