The typical eight-month-old is off to as many corners of the world as she can reach and playing like a madman once she gets there. (One result may be a pretty messy house, though there are ways to contain the chaos without constraining her spirit.)
Her vastly improved dexterity, ability to focus, and language skills make playtime more exciting than ever. Expect plenty of baby conversation and possibly a distinct “ma-ma” or “da-da” in the coming weeks. And while her comprehension is still limited, your tiny troublemaker will soon get the meaning of the word “no” as she hears it (a lot) over the next decade or so.
Baby signing may help bridge the communication gap between the two of you, so if you’re interested, now’s a good time to get started.
Another exciting discovery around the eight-month mark: the genitals, which seem to provide endless fascination whenever they’re available for self-inspection. That’s normal, as is utter exhaustion for Mom as you try to cope with action-packed days and (possibly still) sleepless nights.
Make sure to take time to recharge your batteries; taking a break and clearing your head is good for you and, therefore, good for your baby.
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What to Eat at 8 to 10 Months of Age?
The AAP recommends that an infant not be started on solid foods until after 6 months of age. Many pediatricians still start babies on solids around 4 months of age. This chart accommodates all ages and stages up to 12 months.
Cereals
Try mixing together the grains that your baby has had without any reaction(s). Begin offering breads and muffins when baby has mastered mashing more textured foods. Pasta makes for great finger foods.
Fruits
Begin making your own fruit combinations once baby has had several fruits without any reaction(s). Venture into Papaya and Melon Swirl. After 8 months old – you may wish to try offering raw ripe fruits. Soft cooked fruits make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods.
Veggies
Soft cooked veggies make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods. Try mixing up a veggie medley now. Add some grated cheese for extra temptation & yumminess. Saute or roast some onions or peppers to add to baby’s food or serve as finger foods. Make a Leek and Chicken Potato Mash.
Protein
Once your baby has reached 8 months old, try an Egg Yolk Omelet – the perfect chance to slip in some veggies.
Dairy
Get adventurous with Cheeses and Yogurts now. Soft Cheeses such as Brie pose health risks so hold off on those. Avocado mashed with a bit of cream cheese – YUM.
Baby Development
What developments to expect from your baby at 8 months old
Crying
You may notice your baby cries or whimpers when they see another baby crying – this is called ‘reflexive crying’ and is the beginnings of feeling empathy for others, something that will develop slowly over the next few years.
Favourite toy
Some babies may have chosen a favourite soft toy by now and will use it as a security object, dribbling on it and dragging it around everywhere. If so, this is definitely the time to scour the shops for a second one just in case it gets lost or you want to sneak it into the washing machine. Many babies just aren’t fussed about a favourite toy; either way is absolutely normal.
Vision update
Your baby’s eyesight is now pretty much as good as an adult’s: watch them spot something across the room and either point to it insistently or try to crawl towards it. If you are worried about their eyesight or they have a squint in one eye – even a small one – it’s really important to see your GP or health visitor and arrange a sight test.
Talk the walk
Babies are so different in what they can do at this age. It’s easy to worry you’re surrounded by baby Einsteins and get a bout of baby development anxiety. Your baby may already be saying ‘mama’ and ‘dada’, or they may be just baby-babbling. Either is fine: the key is to keep talking to them, don’t get anxious and they will talk in their own good time. It’s the same story with moving: for some babies, crawling is seriously yesterday’s news and they’re already pulling themselves up to standing. Others are still sitting happily and showing little inclination to move at all. Again, don’t panic – they’ll do it when they’re ready.
Tips for Your Baby’s Eighth Month
If you haven’t done so already, you definitely need to baby-proof your house now that your little one is crawling. Put away all cleaning products, cosmetics, and poisons; lock up your bathroom and kitchen cabinets; install gates across the stairs; and cover open outlets. Make sure there are no blind cords dangling, and no cords from electrical appliances hanging down. Clear out any small objects that are lying around, including pieces of toys and coins. Keep doors to bathrooms and bedrooms closed.
Now that your eight-month-old is active nonstop, you might be tempted to plop your baby in front of the TV so that you can take care of some much needed household projects. Although a few minutes of watching an educational video probably won’t hurt your baby, the Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to turn on the tube until your child is at least 2 years old. Reading, singing, and talking are much better ways of keeping your baby entertained at this age.
