8 month old, first week

How your baby's growing

By this age, your baby's likely to be crawling. If she's not quite there yet though, don't worry. Some babies take a little bit longer, and others prefer to get around by shuffling on their bums or wriggling on their tums until they're ready to stand and walk.

Now that your baby's starting to get a bit more mobile, it may not be long before she has her first bump or fall. No matter how careful you are, these are an inevitable part of learning to walk. Your heart may occasionally skip a beat, but now's the time to enjoy watching her explore her surroundings and discover her limits.

Allowing your baby to explore gives her space to play creatively and learn more about the world. So be sure to babyproof your home. That way you can feel a bit more relaxed while she goes investigating.

A good way to make sure your home is safe for your baby, is to crawl around the floor yourself. Getting down to her level helps you spot anything that could be hazardous. Remove any fragile objects, push back televisions, and secure any unstable furniture to the walls to prevent it from toppling.

Your life: couple time

Some new parents say that once the novelty of life with a baby wears off, they start to drift apart. It's only natural if such a big change puts a bit of strain on your relationship. The most important thing is to keep talking to each other about how you both feel. Read how other parents manage to keep their relationships on track.

If your partner does most of the childcare, try to understand how much hard work it can be, and how isolating it can feel at times. And if you're the one who spends the most time with your baby, understand that your partner may sometimes feel left out, and miss spending time alone with you.

If you feel that your partner isn't pulling their weight, say so. And if your love life's still lacking a little something, check out our eight sex secrets all parents should know.

For expert relationship advice, see our videos on whether it's okay to argue in front of your baby, and how to resolve your parenting differences in a calm and constructive way.

What you need to know this week

• Your baby may be thrilled that she can stand up with your help. But are her bones ready?
• Going away with your baby gets a bit more tricky once she's mobile, but it's still possible to have a fun and rewarding trip. Here's our advice on travelling with an eight-month-old.
• Looking for a stroller that’s easier to manage than your baby’s pram? Check out what other parents looked for when buying a pushchair or buggy.
• Featured video: try these easy mini rolls

Let's play

Help your baby practise her ball skills! Two great games for you and your baby to play this week.

FAQs at 8 months, first week

• How do I get my baby to nap for longer?
• Is it safe to let my baby chew on my phone?
• I think my baby has a cold. Should I take her to the doctor?
• Is it safe to give my baby eggs to eat?