At 8 months old, your baby will start getting around and be into everything! Your little one will be curious at this age since they are becoming more aware of their surroundings. In this guide, find out what baby milestones your precious one will hit at eight months old.
Motor Skills
At this age, your child will gain a lot of strength. They might pull themselves into to an upright position by holding onto a sofa or chair. Put cords away and secure your TVs, lamps, and furniture. Also, make sure that your home is baby-proofed for your eight-month-old.
By now, your baby can pair up their motor skills with their senses. They will typically spot a toy from afar and crawl over to pick the doll.
Sleep
At this age, your little one will sleep an average of 13 to 14 hours daily. Also, they will take two naps daily – one nap in the morning and another in the afternoon. The average nap for an eight-month-old is an hour, but some babies may be satisfied with a few 20-minutes nap. Now, your eight-month old knows that you exist. This separation anxiety will subside when your little one is about two years old. Do not get worried if they cry each time you leave them. The fussiness will only last for a few minutes. Remain consistent in your regime and it will help you and your baby to adjust.
Eating
Your child will still be drinking about 680 to 900 grams of breast milk or formula every day. But you can include a variety of foods, during meal times. They include vegetables, fruits, baby cereal, and pureed meats. As you introduce other foods, your baby will stop taking breast milk gradually. Some eight-month-olds are so drawn to table foods that they no longer love breast milk or formula. At this age, your child’s chewing skills and pincer grasp should be strong enough! So, consider adding finger foods during mealtime. Some ideal first finger foods include pasta, toast, bananas, well-cooked cereal, and meat. Avoiding serving food that may choke your baby. These include popcorn, hot dogs, grapes, popcorn, raisins, and blueberries.
Communication
At this age, your baby will begin to expect daily routines — when I am on a high chair, it is time for food or when I am in the cradle, it is time to sleep. Also, babies understand that when they drop a towel, mommy picks it up. Further, the babbles your child have been making for a while may begin to make sense. ’You’ll get to hear a “da-da” and “ma-ma” aimed at you. Your eight-month old can now understand what “milk” and “bye-bye” means. They can respond to simple commands like “Wave bye-bye to daddy.”
Basic tips
- Put away all cosmetics and cleaning products. Also, lock up your kitchen, and bathroom cabinets
- Cover every open outlet and install gates over the stairs
- Remove every small object lying around, including coins and toys
While your baby is always active at this age, do not be tempted to put your baby in front of the TV to take care of some household chores. Although allowing your baby to watch an educational video might not hurt him, the Academy of Paediatrics suggests waiting until your baby is about 2 years old. You can sing, read, and talk to your baby. These are ideal are ways of keeping your child entertained at eight months of age!