Your Eight-Month-Old
At eight months, your baby is curious about everything. This is a fun time for both of you. Your baby may surprise you with how well she can get around the house. Let her explore, but keep her safe.
Now that she can pull herself around on her belly or crawl, she wants to get into everything. When she holds things in her hand, she wants to throw them or put them in her mouth. Or she wants to bang them on the table. These activities are important ways she learns. It seems like the more noise she can make, the more she likes it.
She practices new skills every day. She may try to pull herself up to a standing position. She likes finger foods.
Your baby may try to make new sounds, like "dada." The world is exciting to her, but some things may scare her. When she is around strangers, she may cry and hide her face. She may cling to you. All these things are normal. They are part of learning and growing.
She may try to stand or crawl. She may fall down a lot. It may be hard for you to watch her fall. Try to let her explore and move around on her own unless she is in danger or may hurt herself. Make your home as safe as possible for your baby. Join in the games that help her learn about her world.
What's It Like To Be Eight Months Old?
How I move:
- I crawl backward and forward on my stomach.
- I may pull myself up. First, I have to hold on to something. Maybe I'll hold on to a piece of furniture. Getting back down is not so easy!
- I can stand up. But I have to lean against something.
- I can reach for objects and pick them up with my fingers. Make sure I don't swallow them! I could choke.
- I can hold on to a toy for several minutes.
How I talk:
- I recognize some words. When I hear them, I turn and listen.
- I may make some double sounds. I may say sounds such as "da-da," "ma-ma" and "bye-bye."
How I think and understand:
- I want to learn. I want to explore.
- I remember some things.
- I have feelings.
- New experiences may scare me. New people may scare me.
- I might get upset if you leave the room, even for a short time.
- When you come back, I feel happy.
- I may get upset sometimes when I cannot reach something.
For more information about dads and their baby's first year, get The Everything® Father's First Year Book by Vincent Iannelli, MD, which is published by Adams Media and is now available at your favorite bookstore.
You can also order The Everything® Father's First Year Book right now from amazon.com.