8 Months
Here's what's happening at this age - milestones, common concerns, nutrition, sleep, and vaccines.
Developmental Milestones
Based on the 6 Months checkpoint - the closest milestone age to 8 months
Gross Motor
- Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front) - Your baby can roll from their tummy to their back and from their back to their tummy.
- Begins to sit without support - Your baby can sit on their own for a few seconds, or longer with some support.
- Supports weight on legs when held standing - When you hold your baby in a standing position, they push down with their legs and bear their own weight.
Fine Motor
- Rakes small objects toward self - Your baby uses their whole hand to sweep small objects toward themselves, like scooping up a piece of cereal.
- Passes toys from one hand to the other - Your baby can move a toy from one hand to the other.
- Brings everything to mouth to explore - Your baby puts just about everything they can grab into their mouth.
Language
- Babbles with consonant sounds (ma, da, ba) - Your baby starts making consonant-vowel combinations like "ma," "da," "ba," and "ga."
- Responds to own name - Your baby turns to look at you when you say their name.
- Responds to emotions in voices - Your baby reacts to the tone of your voice - they may look worried when you sound upset or smile when you sound happy.
Social & Emotional
- Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger - Your baby clearly recognizes familiar people and may be wary of people they do not know.
- Likes to look at self in a mirror - Your baby is fascinated by their reflection and enjoys looking at themselves in a mirror.
- Laughs out loud - Your baby laughs with a real, hearty laugh - not just smiles, but genuine laughter.
Cognitive
- Looks at things nearby and reaches for them - Your baby is curious about things around them and actively reaches for objects they want to explore.
- Brings things to mouth to explore - Your baby uses their mouth as a primary tool for learning about objects - everything gets tasted and chewed.
- Begins to understand cause and effect - Your baby is starting to figure out that their actions make things happen - shaking a rattle makes noise, dropping a toy makes you pick it up.
Red Flags to Watch For
- !Does not try to get things that are in reach
- !Shows no affection for caregivers
- !Does not respond to sounds around them
Common Concerns at This Age
Things parents often wonder about around 8 months
My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen
A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and t...
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal deli...
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is cau...
Adenoid Hypertrophy and Breathing
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose that help fight infection in young children. When adenoids become e...
How to Advocate for Your Child's Needs
You know your child better than anyone, and your observations matter. If you feel something is not right with your child...
Aggressive Play vs Normal Play
Rough-and-tumble play — wrestling, chasing, play-fighting, and superhero battles — is a normal and important part of chi...
Air Quality and Baby Health
Babies and young children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because they breathe faster, their lungs are ...
When to Introduce Allergens to Baby
Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens (peanut, egg, cow's milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish...
Food Readiness
Foods appropriate for 8 months
Banana
Mashed or as a long strip (with skin partially on for grip)
Avocado
Mashed or as long spears
Sweet Potato
Steamed and mashed, or as long soft strips
Apple
Steamed until very soft, then mashed or as strips
Peas
Mashed or flattened
Oatmeal
Cooked soft, mixed with breast milk or formula
Chicken
Shredded into thin strips or pureed
Salmon
Flaked and mashed, or as a large piece to gnaw
Allergen: fishYogurt
Plain whole-milk yogurt, offered on a pre-loaded spoon
Allergen: milkEgg
Scrambled or as an omelet strip
Allergen: eggBroccoli
Steamed florets (large, tree-shaped pieces)
Rice
Well-cooked and slightly sticky, or as rice balls
Peanut Butter
Thinned smooth peanut butter (mixed with breast milk/formula/water)
Allergen: peanutTofu
Soft or silken tofu, mashed or as strips
Allergen: soyStrawberry
Mashed, or very large halves (too big to choke on)
Carrot
Steamed until very soft, as long strips
Sleep Needs
6-9 months
12-14 hours
Total sleep per day
10-11 hours (0-1 feeds)
Nighttime sleep
2-3 naps
Naps
Tips for this age
- Many babies can sleep through the night by this age (not all - that's also normal)
- The third nap often gets dropped around 7-8 months
- Separation anxiety may cause night waking - it's developmental, not a sleep problem
- Consistency with bedtime routine is key
Vaccines
No new vaccines typically scheduled at 8 months
No new vaccines are typically scheduled at this exact age. The CDC schedule has doses at birth, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, and 18 months. Your pediatrician will let you know what's due at each well visit.
Every baby develops at their own pace. The ranges here are based on typical development from the CDC, AAP, and WHO. If something feels off or you have questions, trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician. You know your baby best.