8 Months Milestone
Cruising, clapping, and understanding so much more
Is your baby approaching this milestone?
Calculate their exact age to track development stages and get personalized milestone reminders
Is your baby approaching this milestone?
Calculate their exact age to track development stages and get personalized milestone reminders
Day 240 of your baby's journey
Development Milestones
Track your baby's physical, cognitive, and social development at this milestone
Physical
- ✓Crawls well forward on hands and knees
- ✓Pulls self up to stand and cruises along furniture
- ✓Gets into sitting position from stomach
- ✓Picks up small objects with thumb and finger (pincer grasp)
- ✓Bangs objects together
- ✓May stand alone momentarily
- ✓Feeds self finger foods efficiently
- ✓Points at objects of interest
Cognitive
- ✓Understands object permanence well
- ✓Looks for dropped objects
- ✓Uses objects correctly (phone to ear, brush to hair)
- ✓Responds to simple commands like 'come here'
- ✓Recognizes familiar words for common items
- ✓Shows problem-solving abilities
- ✓Explores objects more thoroughly
- ✓May say 'mama' or 'dada' with meaning
Social
- ✓Strong stranger anxiety may peak
- ✓Clings to familiar adults
- ✓Shows clear preferences for certain people
- ✓May be shy or anxious with strangers
- ✓Tests parental responses to behavior
- ✓Shows empathy when others are upset
- ✓Enjoys interactive games like pat-a-cake
- ✓May show jealousy when attention goes elsewhere
Development Tip
Eight months often brings peak separation anxiety. This is normal and shows healthy attachment. Create consistent goodbye routines and always return when you say you will. Your baby understands more than they can express - continue narrating your activities and reading books together. Safety is crucial as mobility increases.
Parenting Guide
Expert guidance and activities for nurturing your baby's development
Daily Care
Eight-month-olds typically need 12-14 hours of sleep with 2 naps daily. Most are eating 3 meals of solids plus breast milk or formula. Offer a variety of textures and self-feeding opportunities. Separation anxiety may affect sleep - be patient with night wakings. Continue introducing new foods while watching for allergic reactions.
Recommended Activities
- Cruising practice along safe furniture
- Container play with various sizes
- Simple puzzles with large pieces
- Musical toys and making rhythms
- Reading books with textures and flaps
- Ball games and rolling toys
- Stacking and knocking down blocks
- Water play with measuring cups
- Social interaction with other babies
Parent Guide
Peak separation anxiety requires patience and understanding. Short separations with consistent returns build trust. Baby-proof thoroughly as climbing abilities emerge. Encourage communication by pausing for 'responses' during conversations. Set consistent, gentle boundaries as testing behaviors increase. Continue offering rejected foods - it may take 10+ exposures for acceptance.
Celebrations & Memories
Cultural celebrations and memory-making ideas for this special milestone
Cultural Significance
Eight months represents advanced mobility and communication in all cultures. Many see this as when babies begin showing cultural learning through mimicry and response to language-specific sounds.
- Traditional games teaching cultural values
- Introduction to cultural music and dance
- Participation in family meal rituals
- Religious ceremony participation as observer
- Traditional clothing for special occasions
- Cultural food preferences emerging
Memory Recording
Photo Ideas
- Cruising along furniture
- Standing achievements
- Clapping hands and waving
Memory Tips
- First time standing alone
- Words or sounds attempting to say
- Favorite songs and games
Cultural Note
At 8 months, babies begin showing cultural learning through their responses to language patterns, music preferences, and food acceptance. This is when many cultures begin more intentional cultural transmission through songs, games, and participation in family traditions.
Recording Suggestion
Record video of your baby cruising along furniture - this pre-walking stage is brief but important. Document their understanding of words by filming their responses to simple requests. Capture their unique crawling style and personality emerging through play. Create a photo series of their emotional expressions.