Worried about 9 month old development - struggling with anxiety

[AoC1993]

Hi everyone,

I have 9 month old twin boys (8.5 months adjusted)

The son I am currently worrying about (it switches weekly) is babbling away saying “dadada, mamama etc.” and is very vocal.

He makes eye contact when feeding him, playing with etc. but hates up close eye contact?

Is a very smiley happy baby, is very interactive and loves to play, particularly peekaboo! However Ive noticed over the last two days, he isnt smiling back as much unless I do a funny face or make him laugh (it doesnt take much) so now I’m worried about his social smiling 🙈

He only responds to his name about 10% of the time but will turn for my voice when I enter a room. He also looks for sounds etc.

He’s been clapping hands for ages and mimics most sounds and some actions, no waving or pointing yet.

He isnt crawling yet but is trying to pull to stand and can get there with a gentle nudge.

He gets very upset when I take something off him.

Google has sent me down a terrifying rabbit hole!

I know I sound paranoid and its probably my PPA but I’m wondering if any of you have experienced similar?

He sounds like he's doing really well – there's absolutely nothing there that would concern me at 8-9 months. Are you getting support with your anxiety?

For the smiling, he might just be in a bit less of a smiley mood, or he might be focused on developing new skills.

Name response is very much still developing at this age, and babies and young toddlers have 'single channel attention', which means that if he's busy doing something, he effectively won't hear you, so won't respond to his name. If you call their name a lot to test their response, they'll also learn to tune you out – from their perspective, you're calling them for no reason, so why respond?

I have a son who is a similar age, 8.5 months and have no concerns about his development and for context he isn't doing many of the things yours are. He can't clap, but can do "peekaboo" and "so big", does pull up to stand but only in the last week or so. Can't wave or point and also is upset if he's moved away from something or something is taken from him. Constantly babbling, can say Dada and baba but not in context. Does repond to name but not if he's doing something more entertaining.

Sounds like your babies are right on track.