Updated on
11.4.25
Time is flying by, and your little one is officially 8 months old! Can you believe how much they’ve changed in just a few months? From rolling over to sitting up and possibly even pulling up to stand, your baby is making incredible strides in their development.
At month 8, your baby is more curious, active, and engaged than ever. They’re refining their motor skills, experimenting with sounds, and showing a growing interest in exploring their surroundings. But along with these exciting milestones, you might also notice some challenges, like separation anxiety, sleep disruptions, or a sudden dislike for certain foods. Don’t worry; it’s all part of the journey!
In this guide, we’ll walk through your baby’s growth, developmental milestones, sleep patterns, feeding needs, and ways to support their progress this month. Let’s dive into what month 8 has in store for you and your little one!
Every baby develops at their own pace, but here’s a sneak peek of what you might notice at 8 months:
Your baby is becoming a little explorer at 8 months old! Their bodies are getting stronger, and they’re starting to move with more purpose. While not all babies crawl at this stage, you’ll likely see some form of mobility—whether it’s crawling, scooting, rolling, or even pulling up to stand.
Friendly reminder: If your baby isn’t crawling yet, don’t worry! Keep offering opportunities for movement and floor play, and they’ll get there in their own time. Many babies skip traditional hands-and-knees crawling [1] and develop just fine. Some prefer to bottom shuffle, army crawl, roll, or even go straight to walking.
Learn more: 9-Month-Old Baby: Development and Milestones to get a sneak peek at what’s coming next as your baby continues to grow and move!
With all this movement, your baby is also taking in more of their environment than ever before. Let’s explore how their cognitive development is progressing.
At month 8, your baby’s brain is working in overdrive! They’re figuring out how things work, exploring new concepts, and recognizing patterns.
Discover Lullaby Music for Babies to Sleep Instantly to support cognitive and auditory development through calming sounds.
As their cognitive skills grow, their emotions also become more complex. Let’s take a look at their social and emotional development.
Your baby loves you, and at this stage, they don’t want to let you out of sight! Around month 8, many babies start experiencing separation anxiety. They now understand that you exist even when you leave the room, due to the development of object permanence. This can lead to some overstimulation and need for closeness.
Parent-to-Parent insight: Separation anxiety[2] is completely normal, and it’s actually a sign of a healthy attachment. With time and consistency, your baby will become more confident when you’re out of sight!
Let’s explore how your baby’s growing curiosity extends to mealtime! This is an exciting stage where they begin to experience new flavors and textures, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
At 8 months, your baby is getting more adventurous with food! This is an exciting time when they start experimenting with new tastes, textures, and even self-feeding. Their digestive system is maturing, and they need a variety of nutrients to support their rapid growth.
At this age, your baby needs a variety of nutrient-dense foods to support their growth. Here’s a balanced guide:
Protein sources:
✔ Mashed lentils, soft tofu, scrambled eggs, finely shredded chicken or turkey.
Fruits & vegetables:
✔ Cooked sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, avocado, banana, apple, and pear (soft-cooked or mashed).
Iron-rich foods:
✔ Fortified cereals, pureed meats, mashed beans, and dark leafy greens.
Friendly reminder: Introducing your 8-month-old to leafy greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard can be both fun and nutritious! To make these veggies baby-friendly (these are hard to eat without molars), cook them thoroughly until soft, finely chop or purée, and serve in age-appropriate sizes to prevent choking. Always supervise mealtime to ensure safety[3].
Dairy:
✔ Full-fat yogurt, soft cheese (cottage cheese).
Grains:
✔ Oats, whole wheat pasta, soft rice, quinoa.
As they grow more emotionally connected to you, their sleep patterns might also be affected. Let’s see how sleep is changing this month.
With all these exciting new skills, sleep can be a bit unpredictable at 8 months. You might notice your baby waking up more often or fighting naps—this is called the 8-month sleep regression.
Read more: Struggling with night-waking and bedtime? Sleep regression: Why isn’t my baby sleeping anymore has helpful tips to navigate this phase!
At month 8, your baby is full of curiosity, movement, and new emotions! They’re gaining independence, refining their motor skills, and forming deeper attachments with you.
With all the sleep regressions, teething fussiness, and newfound mobility, things can feel overwhelming—but you’ve got this! Each milestone is a step toward greater confidence and ability, and your love and support are what help them thrive.
Want to take the guesswork out of baby sleep and routines? Happy Baby helps track milestones, predict nap times, and create a schedule that works for you. Try Happy Baby today and make sleep easier for the whole family!
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