8-Month-Old Baby’s Development: Milestones, Tips, and What to Expect
Eight months in, and your little explorer is on a mission—grabbing, babbling, and testing their limits. This phase is filled with rapid changes, new discoveries, and an eagerness to explore the world. As your little one grows more curious and expressive, you may notice exciting shifts in their behaviour, interactions, and responses to their surroundings. Understanding 8 month baby milestones can help you support their development while cherishing every precious moment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect and how you can nurture your baby’s growth during this fascinating stage.
8 Month Milestones: Growth
At eight months, babies continue to grow, but their growth rate naturally slows down compared to the earlier months. This is partly due to their increasing activity levels as they explore their surroundings. While each baby develops at their own pace, understanding the general trends in baby development at 8 months can help parents track progress.
On average, an 8-month-old baby boy may weigh around 8.60 kg and measure about 27.75 inches in length. Meanwhile, baby girls of the same age tend to weigh approximately 7.90 kg and have an average length of 27 inches. However, these numbers can vary based on factors such as diet, metabolism, and activity levels.
Since babies at this stage are more engaged in movement—rolling, crawling, or even attempting to stand—they tend to burn more calories, which can impact their weight gain. If you have any concerns about your baby’s growth, it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider for personalised guidance.
8 Month Old Baby Milestones: Movements and Physical Development
At 8 months, babies become more active and adventurous as they build strength and coordination. Their physical development is progressing rapidly, allowing them to explore their surroundings in new ways. Here are some key 8 month old milestones related to movement and motor skills:
- Crawling and Scooting: Many babies at this age start crawling, often moving both forward and backward. Some may prefer scooting on their tummies or shuffling on their bottoms. However, not all babies crawl—some skip it altogether and move straight to walking.
- Sitting Independently: By now, most babies can sit up without support and stay balanced for longer periods. They may even transition into a sitting position on their own.
- Pulling Up and Standing: Many babies begin pulling themselves up using furniture for support. Some might also start bouncing while holding onto a crib rail or a sturdy object, preparing their legs for future walking attempts.
- Increased Hand Coordination: Babies gain better control over their hands, smoothly transferring objects between them. Though they haven’t mastered the pincer grasp yet, their ability to grab and manipulate small items is improving—so be mindful of choking hazards.
- Pointing and Exploring: One of the exciting 8 month milestones is a baby’s ability to point at objects to express curiosity. Encouraging this behaviour by naming and describing things helps boost their communication skills.
Popular Blogs
Popular Blogs
8 Month Baby Milestones: Cognitive and Sensory Development
As your little one continues to grow, their mind is developing just as rapidly as their body. Baby development at 8 months includes improved memory, problem-solving skills, and sensory awareness. Here are some key 8 month baby milestones related to cognitive and sensory growth:
- Object Awareness and Memory: Your baby is beginning to understand that objects still exist even when they are out of sight. They may actively look for a dropped toy or search for something that has been partially hidden.
- Exploring Through Touch and Sound: Your baby is starting to understand what different objects do. Activity centres that respond to twisting, pressing, or poking can be fascinating for them, as they begin to link actions with effects.
- Throwing and Dropping Objects: Expect to see a lot of dropping and throwing! Babies at this age are testing cause and effect, learning that when they let go of something, it falls. This can be fun for them (but tiring for you!).
- Improved Vision and Recognition: Your baby’s depth perception is nearly as sharp as an adult’s, meaning they can spot you from across the room. They are also learning to associate words with people and objects, sometimes turning their head when you call someone’s name or pointing to an item in a book when prompted.
- Mouth Exploration Continues: Most babies still explore objects by putting them in their mouths, which is a natural way of learning about textures and shapes. Keep an eye on small items to prevent choking hazards.
8 Month Baby Milestones: Social and Emotional Development
At eight months, your baby’s ability to express emotions and interact with others is evolving rapidly. Key 8 month old baby milestones include new ways of communicating, stronger attachments, and emerging independence.
- Expanding Communication Skills: Your baby is learning to express themselves through a mix of sounds, gestures, and facial expressions. Squeals, laughs, and babbling with different consonant-vowel combinations are all ways they grab your attention and convey their feelings.
- Early Word Formation: As your baby experiments with sounds, you might start to hear recognizable words like “Mama” or “Dada.” Some babies may even say their first official word, such as “bye-bye” or “ball,” though full speech will take more time to develop.
- Developing Stranger Anxiety: If your once-social baby suddenly becomes shy around new people, don’t worry—this is a normal stage of emotional growth. Your baby is now more aware of familiar faces and may prefer the company of caregivers, showing hesitation or fear around strangers.
- Stronger Attachment to Comfort Objects: Many babies at this stage develop a bond with a favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or other “lovey.” This attachment helps them feel secure, especially as they realize they can be separated from you at any time.
- Increased Clinginess: Along with stranger anxiety, your baby might also become more clingy towards you. This is part of their emotional development, as they navigate feelings of attachment and independence. Give them the reassurance they need while encouraging safe interactions with others.
- Using Gestures for Communication: Even before they can fully talk, babies find creative ways to express their needs. They may stretch their arms towards an object they want, signaling for help from a caregiver. This early non-verbal communication is a stepping stone to later speech and language skills.
- Reacting to Social Cues: Your baby is becoming more aware of emotions and may react to your tone of voice or facial expressions. They can sense when you’re happy, sad, or excited, and may respond accordingly with their own expressions or sounds.
Our Products
Our Products
8 Month Old Milestones: Nutritional Needs and Feeding Tips
Key 8 month milestones include gradual expansion of your baby’s diet and development of important eating skills. While some babies are still adjusting to solid foods, others may be eating two to three meals a day with occasional snacks. Regardless of their pace, every baby progresses differently, so it’s important to introduce new foods gradually and be patient.
At this stage, your baby is ready for a more diverse diet, including mashed foods, purees, and even some soft finger foods. It’s normal for babies to be hesitant with new foods, so repeated exposure—sometimes multiple times—may be needed before they develop a taste for certain items. Introducing a variety of textures and flavours can help expand their palate and ensure balanced nutrition. Suitable first finger foods include small, pea-sized pieces of tofu, tiny pieces of soft fruit, cooked and finely chopped vegetables, small cubes of soft cheese, chopped hard-boiled eggs, well-cooked, cut-up pasta, pea-sized pieces of cooked turkey, chicken, or ground meat, and soft bread or small pieces of bagels.
Despite eating solid foods, breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition at eight months. On average, babies at this stage consume about 680 to 900 grams of breast milk or formula per day, typically divided into three to five feedings of 170 to 226 grams each. Solid foods should complement—not replace—breast milk or formula at this age. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to introduce a sippy cup or straw cup to help your baby transition away from bottles. You can offer breast milk, formula, or up to 113 grams of water in the cup to encourage drinking from it.
8 Month Baby Milestones: Sleep Patterns and Routines
At eight months, your baby’s sleep needs are becoming more structured, with most infants requiring 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day, including naps. While sleep patterns can vary, most babies sleep 10 to 12 hours at night, often without waking for feedings. Daytime sleep usually consists of two naps, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. A predictable sleep schedule helps babies feel secure and well-rested.
At this age, some babies experience an 8-month sleep regression, which can be triggered by:
- Separation Anxiety: Your baby may wake up at night looking for comfort.
- Teething Discomfort: Sore gums can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
- Developmental Leaps: Learning new skills like crawling or pulling up may keep your baby active at bedtime or cause nighttime wake-ups.
To navigate these disruptions, continue reinforcing healthy sleep habits. Sticking to a bedtime routine and providing reassurance without creating new sleep associations can help your baby adjust. It’s recommended to maintain consistent bedtime and wake-up times, nap schedules, and mealtimes and playtimes.
A key factor in promoting uninterrupted sleep is ensuring your baby stays dry and comfortable throughout the night. Teddyy Baby Diapers’ Susu Magnet Technology soaks up all wetness all day & all night, making them a great choice for parents looking to improve their baby’s sleep quality. Their soft and breathable material is gentle on delicate skin, reducing the risk of rashes, while the snug fit with a stretchable waistband allows for easy movement without leaks.
Conclusion
Watching your baby grow and thrive at eight months is an exciting, heartwarming journey filled with new milestones and precious moments. Every giggle, every tiny step towards independence, and even the challenges like sleep regressions or picky eating are part of this beautiful phase. While it’s natural to worry about whether your little one is hitting these 8 month baby milestones “on time,” remember that every baby develops at their own pace. The best thing you can do is provide a loving, stimulating environment that encourages exploration and learning. This phase will pass in the blink of an eye, but the memories you create will last a lifetime.
At 8 months, babies typically sit independently, crawl or scoot, babble, respond to their name, and show curiosity by reaching, grasping, and exploring objects. They may also express emotions, recognise familiar people, and develop stronger hand-eye coordination.
Most 8-month-olds babble and experiment with sounds but may not say clear words yet. Some might say “Mama” or “Dada” without meaning. By this age, they understand simple words and respond to familiar voices and tones.
Red flags include lack of eye contact, minimal response to sounds or name, inability to sit with support, absence of babbling, stiff or floppy muscles, and lack of interest in people or surroundings. Consult a pediatrician if concerned.
At 9 months, red flags include not sitting without support, no babbling or vocalisations, lack of response to familiar voices, minimal interest in toys, difficulty using hands to grasp objects, or lack of interaction with caregivers. Seek medical advice if noticed.
