Your 8-month-old baby: Week 1
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In this article
This week, your baby's:
- Development: Your baby will start trying to sound like you by imitating tones of voice and sounds that you make.
- Feeding: Keeping a note of when you introduce new foods will help you identify the culprit if your baby shows signs of an allergy.
- Sleep: If your baby is suddenly having trouble staying asleep, it might be teething. Keep a teether in the room in case it helps soothe the pain when your baby wakes up.
Your 8-month-old baby, week 1: development and milestones
Your baby is moving about more and more as he tries to crawl. Once he can, he'll pick up speed and then will be trying to get all around the house. It's quite normal for babies to start by crawling backwards, or to start by shuffling about at first. But once he's on the go, there will be no stopping him.It's important to make sure that your home is safe for your baby as he goes about exploring.
Your baby is starting to have wants and opinions and to express them in whichever way he can. Take a toy away from him and he'll probably object loudly.
If he's busy with a toy, game or exploring, try not to break his concentration or call his attention to yourself. As long as your baby is in a safe environment, and handling things that are safe for him, it's good to let him play on his own for a while. It will boost his independence and confidence in himself.
If it hasn't yet, separation anxiety might kick in around now. This happens because at this age your baby starts to understand that things don't stop to exist when he can't see them anymore. So when he can't see you, he's wondering where you are and why you're not with him. He understands that you are both two different and separate people and he gets distressed when you're not with him.
One way to handle this situation is to help your child learn that you always do come back when you leave him. To do this, you can have a good-bye routine. This means that you tell him clearly in whichever way you choose that you are going out and will be back. Leaving when he has his back turned, or is distracted, will not help him feel secure.
How your life's changing
A new baby in the house tends to command the attention of all those in it, but it's important that you get some couple time.It's very easy for the both of you to get so busy in your different lives that you get very little time for each other. Making the time to share the ups and downs of your respective days will help you stay connected.
If you feel like you've been too busy to give each other the attention you used to, it's important to acknowledge those feelings. Speak to each other about it and try to make plans to get some dedicated time together. Even just a dinner out while someone looks after your baby can do you both a world of good.
The key to navigating these weeks and months is to keep speaking honestly with each other.
Things to do with your baby this week
If your little one isn't crawling yet, he may well be ready to start this month. Either way, he's also getting ready to stand or walk further down the line. This is a big challenge for your baby, and all sorts of new muscles need to develop in those little legs. This kicking game develops essential gross-motor coordination skills.Start by giving your baby a ball, and letting him push it about. Follow the ball wherever it rolls and bring it back to your baby for him to push it again.
Then take it to the next level to encourage kicking. Hold your baby in front of you (and facing away from you) with one arm around his chest and the other hand supporting his bottom so that his legs stick out in front of you both.
Place the ball directly in front of your baby and help his feet kick the ball. Then move forwards so he can push the ball with his feet again, like a mini football star. Cheer encouragingly every time his foot makes contact with the ball, and point out how far he's "kicked" it.
This makes a great game when you get your baby together with a playmate or an older sibling: you can play your baby's first football game together.
Parent tip: getting your baby comfortable with others
My baby cries whenever I leave her, even if it's for two minutes to pick up something. But she stops crying in two seconds too. So I started leaving her with others and keep going somewhere so that she gets used to being around others and won't rely only on me. That makes both of us comfortable.
-GayathriFAQs at 8 months, week 1
November 2021 Birth Club
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