Brand New Dad » Month By Month » 8 Months Old » Your Eight-Month-Old

At eight months, your baby is curious about everything. This is a fun time for both of you. Your baby may surprise you with how well she can get around the house. Let her explore, but keep her safe.

Now that she can pull herself around on her belly or crawl, she wants to get into everything. When she holds things in her hand, she wants to throw them or put them in her mouth. Or she wants to bang them on the table. These activities are important ways she learns. It seems like the more noise she can make, the more she likes it.

She practices new skills every day. She may try to pull herself up to a standing position. She likes finger foods.

Your baby may try to make new sounds, like "dada." The world is exciting to her, but some things may scare her. When she is around strangers, she may cry and hide her face. She may cling to you. All these things are normal. They are part of learning and growing.

She may try to stand or crawl. She may fall down a lot. It may be hard for you to watch her fall. Try to let her explore and move around on her own unless she is in danger or may hurt herself. Make your home as safe as possible for your baby. Join in the games that help her learn about her world.

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