The world of an 8-month-old

At 8-months old, your baby is turning into a true adventurer, going out of their way to explore as much of the world as possible – even if that is just the floor of your living room. As their body develops physically and mentally, they’ll begin to roll, shuffle and crawl around their spaces, and may even be able to pull themselves to a standing position. Giving them an appropriate amount of independence to explore while also ensuring their safety is crucial to aid in their development.

Baby proof your home


Exploration is your baby’s favorite activity at this age, and you’ll be surprised just how far your little one can get in just a few seconds. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to baby proof your home to ensure your baby is safe as they circumnavigate.

 

Investigating objects is of primary concern to a curious 8-month old. They may pick up toys or other small objects and gum them in their mouth to test out how it feels. Shaking a toy or banging it on the wall or the floor is great fun too. They’re just starting to learn about cause and effect so don’t be surprised if you find yourself behaving like a jack-in-the-box picking up toys they happily throw out of their buggy over and over and over again. Indulge them if you can. They’re watching, learning and deriving great pleasure from the experience.

Let them have fun with their food


Now that they can pick up small pieces of food to feed themselves, mealtimes take on a whole new and playful dimension. It’s just one long game from waving bread sticks in the air to smearing yoghurt all over their face, the table and probably you. Resist the urge to spoil the fun by grabbing the spoon and clearing up too soon. It’s an all-important sensory experience, even if it is a bit messy.

Interact with them


Your baby’s comprehension skills are increasing now too and you may even be able to play little games such as asking them to find a toy you’ve hidden behind a cushion or pointing to an object when you name it. They might also begin to communicate with you and others through gestures such as waving or clapping their hands.

Separation anxiety is normal


You may notice your baby become more agitated or upset than before when you leave the room. This is known as separation anxiety and can be particularly distressing for you as well as your baby. The good news is that separation anxiety doesn’t last forever. Once your baby comes to realize that you always come back, leaving them will become a lot easier over the coming months.

Your 8-month old is now capable of feeling empathy too. If a bout of crying is triggered when they hear another baby cry it’s most likely "reflexive crying" - the first sign of feeling empathy for others.

 

Please be aware that the information given in these articles is only intended as general advice and should in no way be taken as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you or your family or your child is suffering from symptoms or conditions which are severe or persistent or you need specific medical advice, please seek professional medical assistance. Philips AVENT cannot be held responsible for any damages that result from the use of the information provided on this website.

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