For You and Your Baby
Their 8th Month
What to expect during your baby's eighth month of life and what you can do to support them
Developmental Milestones
Baby can see things from across the room and is gaining more depth perception which makes it easier to grab objects close by
They should be able to sit by themselves (although sometimes might tip over) and you will notice that they might begin rolling and rocking while kneeling on their knees - this is all helping them get ready to crawl!
If they are not already crawling, baby might use scotting or "creeping" to get across the floor. Some babies might skip crawling all together!
What can you do to support your baby?
Baby will love exploring what different sounds and movements they can make. Try some of these activities to help stimulate their curiosity...
- Utilize bath time to include different types of cups, buckets, and toys that absorb water. Help baby spash, sqeeze and pour
- Provide baby with a box full of different household objects (dry sponges, crumbled paper, soft wash cloth, etc) and let her explore the textures while she sits or kneels
- Get out pots and pans from the kitchen and let baby bang on them with different spatulas and spoons to make sounds!
Feeding and Sleeping
8 months is a good time to have baby join the family for meals in their high chair and introduce a sippy cup. It might not be something they understand immediately, but it will be good to start becoming familiar with a cup!
Begin trying soft foods and finger foods - things like avocado, sweet potatoes chunks, turkey or mango. Just make sure they are cut up and small enough for baby to mash in their mouths.
Breast milk or formula is still where baby is getting most of her nutritious - about 24 oz of formula or breastfeeding every 3 - 4 hours is normal at this stage.
Some babies might sleep for longer stretches at night, while others might have a regression in sleep and call out for you more often during the night. An average of roughly 14 hours a day (naps and at night) is typical
Click the picture above to learn more about the transition to solid foods!
Warning signs to watch for
If your baby is not able to hold themselves up in a sitting position without extreme support, hold her head up independently when on her stomach or seems to have overall weakness in her muscles
If baby is not showing interest in exploring objects around her or she seems disinterested or lethargic
If baby seems to be choking or coughing when eating different types of food or shows any signs of an allergic reaction including:
-Rash
-Swelling of face or hands
-Increased constipation
-Increased soft or bloody stool
If you notice any of the above signs - speak with your pediatrician.