Growth & Development
Your baby continues growing steadily, with muscle strength and coordination improving noticeably each week. Increased mobility means more calories burned through movement, which is part of why appetite often increases now.
Key Milestones
- Crawling or scooting to move around
- Pulling to stand while holding furniture
- Picking up small objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp emerging)
- Showing stranger anxiety
- Understanding simple words like 'no' or their name
Sleep
An 8-month sleep regression is commonly discussed, sometimes linked to separation anxiety, increased mobility, or developmental leaps disrupting previously settled sleep patterns. This phase, while frustrating, is usually temporary.
Feeding
Your baby may be eating a wider variety of pureed or soft mashed foods now, often three small meals a day alongside breast milk or formula. Introducing a variety of flavors and textures (within age-appropriate safety guidelines) supports healthy eating habits later.
Activities to Try
Crawling, scooting, or other early mobility methods are common around now, though the exact timing and method vary enormously between babies. Childproofing your home becomes increasingly important at this stage if you haven't started already.
Health Tips
With increased mobility comes increased risk of minor bumps and falls — this is a normal part of development, but ensure your home environment is reasonably safe, with stairs gated and small hazardous objects out of reach.
Vaccination Info
No routine vaccines are typically due at exactly 8 months. Continue monitoring your baby's overall health and development, and the next major vaccines (MMR and Typhoid) are usually given at 9 months.