What should babies be doing at 8 months

Offer a pat on the back and a few consoling words if she cries for you in the middle of the night. If she does cry for you in the middle of the night, try not to turn on the bedroom light, rock her, or walk with her.

And you'll also want to avoid feeding her and taking her into your bed. All of these will make self-soothing more difficult in the future, because she'll learn to associate bedtime with these acts and come to expect them as part of the bedtime routine every single night. All that wriggling and moving your baby has been doing prepares her for some big steps, and it's important to make sure your home is as safe as it can be for your little explorer.

You may have already started babyproofing your home if not, now is a great time to do it ; keep in mind that your baby furniture and equipment need just as much attention as your electrical outlets and cabinet doors.

Falls are among the most common household accidents, so you'll want to check your baby's crib, changing table, high chair, and other equipment to make sure they meet safety standards and are assembled correctly. Here are some other tips to make sure these items are as safe as can be:. The crib's mattress should be the same size as the crib and fit tightly, with no more than a slight, two-finger gap between the mattress and the frame of the crib.

Set the mattress to the lowest level possible before your baby is able to stand on her own. Don't use crib bumpers, pillows, loose sheets, blankets, or stuffed animals in the crib to avoid suffocation or strangulation. Baby changing tables should have a two-inch guardrail on all four sides, and the top of the changing table pad should be concave to keep your baby from rolling off the table.

Always use the table's safety strap, but keep a hand on your baby at all times during changes, just to be safe. Keep your supplies like diapers and wipes within easy reach of you, but out of your baby's grasp. Choose a chair with a wide base, and never place it so close to a counter or table that your baby could kick or push hard enough to tip the chair over. Make sure any small parts on the chair such as caps or plugs on chair tubing are securely attached.

These could become choking hazards if your baby is able to remove them. Make sure the playpen's enclosure is free of any tears, holes, or loose material. If your baby is able to pull herself up, remove any larger toys or objects from the playpen that she may be tempted to use to try to raise herself and climb out. Regularly check the playpen for damage, including loose parts or bite marks from your teething baby.

Babies and small children can drown in only a few inches of water, so you'll want to be especially careful in the bathroom, as well as outside if your home has a pool, pond, hot tub, or other small body of water.

Never leave your baby alone in the bath, or around any open containers of water like buckets and watering cans. Also, keep toilets closed and use a lid lock to keep your baby out of the toilet bowl. If you do have a swimming pool, install a four-foot high, or higher, fence with a self-locking gate around the entire area, and completely remove any pool covers before swimming.

Make sure you have a safety ring and rope handy in case of emergency, as well as your phone. Many little ones love the water, and you can have tons of fun splashing around, but always give your baby your complete attention when you're swimming and try to eliminate any distractions.

Here are a few tips for introducing your baby to a new caregiver:. Hold your baby while you and the sitter talk. She'll get to know that this is a trusted person. Place your baby on the floor with her favorite toys and invite the sitter to slowly come closer and engage with her in play.

Try to briefly leave the room, and, if all goes well, you can confidently leave her with your trusted caregiver. If you've been breastfeeding, you may find that around the time when your baby is starting to sample different foods, she may be less interested in breastfeeding.

This is called natural weaning or infant-led weaning, and it's perfectly fine to let your baby's preferences take the lead. Continue to offer her new food options while still allowing her to breastfeed when she wants. Healthy Lifestyle Infant and toddler health.

Products and services. Infant development: Milestones from 7 to 9 months Your baby might surprise you with how quickly he or she is picking up new skills.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references months: Your baby's development. Accessed May 25, American Dental Association. Healthy habits. Accessed May 30, Shelov SP, et al. Age eight months through twelve months. New York, N. Baby sling Baby sunscreen Baby walkers Breast-feeding and medications Breast-feeding nutrition: Tips for moms Breast-feeding support Breast-feeding twins Breast milk sharing Breast-feeding and alcohol Breast-feeding and weight loss Breast-feeding strike Corn syrup for constipation: OK for babies?

Crying baby? Make dressing easier by having everything you need ready before you start. Remember to never leave Baby unattended on a changing table while you step away to fetch her socks or sweater. Most babies take their first steps between months—though some children wait much later, which is also perfectly normal.

Most babies advance from a couple shaky steps to fairly confident walking in just a matter of days. Baby Growth and Development: Month Milestones. By Catie Bielecki Updated October 03, Save Pin More. What should a baby be doing between 8 months and 12 months? With these guidelines, parents can help their little ones reach important developmental milestones. Start Slideshow. Credit: Shutterstock. Credit: Stephanie Rausser. Mother with Baby in Summer. Credit: Thayer Allison Gowdy. Credit: Photograph by Carl Tremblay.

How to Practice Tummy Time. Credit: Alexandra Grablewski. Mom on laptop holding baby. Baby walking with parent. Toddler Pointing Skills.

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