top

close menu

Can I Place My Baby for Adoption at 9 Months Old? [Yes - Here's How]

Understanding the Adoption Journey

There are many reasons why you might start thinking about adoption for your 9-month-old baby. No matter what the reason might be, adoption is an option for you. Call 1-800-ADOPTION now to learn more or to get started.

  • Complex circumstances like financial instability, lack of a support system or substance abuse issues can make parenting seem impossible. 

  • You may be focused on education or career goals, making parenting too difficult. 

  • You may have decided you aren’t ready to be a parent. 

If you’re ready to start the adoption process with our agency or want more information on adoption, call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or visit our online contact forms for prospective birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents. 

You Can Choose Adoption at 9 Months Old

Circumstances in life can be the cause of stress or have you hyper-focused on a particular goal, which means there may not be room for parenting. Regardless of the reason, considering adoption for your 9-month-old is okay. It’s not “giving your child up” for adoption or “giving them away.” You’re giving them the best gift of all — life. 

If you’re worried about the impact of adoption on your 9-month-old, it’s important to know that through open adoption, you can still maintain a connection and be a part of your child’s life at whatever level you feel comfortable with. 

  • Birth mothers like you, with an older child, have gone through the adoption process with the same concerns.

  • Our goal at American Adoptions is to help you experience a safe and smooth adoption journey and find the perfect family for your baby.

  • With the right family, you can develop a life-long relationship and know your child is being loved and cared for just as you would. 

We have more than 30 years of adoption experience and have helped thousands of birth moms choosing adoption for different reasons. Ultimately, it’s about loving your child and finding him or her a home that can provide everything needed for growth and development. 

The following information will lay out the adoption process for your 9-month-old and help you get started on an adoption journey that can bring hope for a better future for everyone involved. 

How to Place a Child for Adoption at 9 Months Old 

There are only a few differences when it comes to placing for a 9-month-old adoption as opposed to a newborn. Overall, the process is very similar, and because adoption for a 9-month-old through is an option for you, you are entitled to the same support services as any other birth mother.

These services include:

Here is a brief rundown of what you can expect to happen during the adoption process with American Adoptions: 

Step 1: Submit information and create an adoption plan. The first thing to do is call 1-800-ADOPTION. There, you’ll speak with one of our adoption specialists. After explaining your situation, you’ll be asked to fill out a social and medical history form for yourself and your child, as well as a form explaining your preferences in an adoptive family. You’ll also be asked to: 

  • Provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate 

  • Determine who is listed as the father on your child’s birth certificate 

  • Obtain medical records for your child 

  • Provide documentation of where the child has lived from birth to present 

  • Assess who has had custody or care of the child from birth to present 

  • Disclose who has provided financial and emotional support for this child from birth to present 

  • Provide information about any father who has provided child support 

Step 2: Choose an adoptive family. Once your adoption specialist has everything they need, they’ll send you different adoptive families’ profiles to look through. Because we are a national adoption agency, you will have many more families to consider than a smaller, local agency can provide. After you’ve found the right couple for your baby, you’ll start getting to know them through phone calls, emails, and even visits to help your baby begin to transition. 

Step 3: Determine what kind of open adoption you want. You’ll then discuss how the amount of contact you’d like to have after placement. It’s strongly suggested that both parties choose to have an open adoption, but we understand if that’s not feasible. Your adoption specialist will be able to help you through this process. 

Step 4: Legally place your baby for adoption. After everything is ready, you’ll need to consent to the adoption in order for it to be official. Up until this point, you’ll be able to change your mind about adoption. But once you’ve signed away your parental rights, and your revocation period has passed (if applicable), you won’t be able to change your mind. Your adoption specialist and adoption attorney will help explain this process in more detail. 

Remember, it’s never too late to choose adoption.  You can not only change the life of your child but also create a better future for yourself, as well as give a hopeful adoptive family the chance to live out their dream of growing a family.

Many of our adoption professionals are adoptees, have adopted a child or placed a child for adoption, giving us a unique perspective of the adoption process and the emotions associated with it. This helps us give you the support needed to have a safe, smooth and happy adoption journey.

Take it from Scott Mars, founder of American Adoptions, and an adoptee himself:     

“My mom and dad were a couple who weren’t able to become a mom and dad without adoption. Of all people in this world, my mom and dad deserve to be parents. And without adoption, they would not have been able to share their love, share their life, and give someone the life that I had.      

“Because of adoption, my life was filled with love and opportunity.”  You can watch Scott’s video to see his entire adoption story.

Get More Information on Placing a 9-Month-Old for Adoption  

If you have any additional questions, contact Michelle, a birth parent specialist and a birth parent herself, who is ready to answer any questions you have about placing a 9-month-old up for adoption.         

“I am available to answer any questions that arise, particularly from birth moms, as I have been in your shoes and know how you are feeling,” Michelle said. “It was most helpful to me when I had someone to talk to who would just listen to me without making any judgments or conclusions about who I was as a person.”         

You can ask Michelle questions about the adoption process online. You can also call us at 1-800-ADOPTION, or get free information with our online contact form for prospective birth mothers considering adoption here. Adoptive families wanting more information on adopting a child can click here to get more information. 

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.

Request Free Information

View Waiting Families
Want to speak to someone who has chosen adoption?
Meet Michelle — A Proud Birth Mom
Ask an Adoption Question
View More Waiting Familes
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Read More

Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

Read More