How can I help my 9 month old baby to achieve his full potential?

To you, your baby is the smartest that ever lived - we all feel like that about our babies! Stop panicking about his potential, and get on with loving him regardless. As to the getting up in the night and yelling til you go to him - yes, babies are smart enough to figure out what works - and also smart enough to figure out what doesn't. When he yells, go in talk calmly to him, then leave him. After reuring him a coupl of times, and knowing he's fine, leave him. It's hard, I did the same thing, but it really doesn't take long for them to realise yelling dosn't guarantee a midnight baby party and they learn to get themsleves back to sleep.