8-month-old baby usually crawls with skill, venturing into further and further corners. At the same time, it is slowly getting ready for a more efficient mode of movement. The 8th month brings another change - the baby stands on all fours. The new position is a great start for crawling as well as sitting up on your own. What other changes take place in the 8th month of a baby's life?

8-month-old babystarts moving all over the house! In addition, he is better and better at using handles - he can grab toys efficiently and reliably. This is the perfect time to become more self-reliant and try to hold onto the pieces of food by herself as she feeds. The 8-month-old baby now needs a lot of attention. He is also very close to his mother, which is why her temporary disappearance causes him to cry.

8-month-old baby learns to crawl

First, he persistently tries to raise his torso, leaning on straightened arms and legs bent at the knees. When he succeeds, he rockes back and forth, sticking his bottom out, practicing balance. Finally he sets off on all fours.

If your baby is not trying to lift his tummy and buttocks, you can encourage him to do so by unfolding the rug. It's much easier to crawl than it creeps on its rough surface.

Take care of the safety of the crawling baby:

  • Vacuum the floor thoroughly so that there are no small objects on it that the toddler could put in his mouth and choke,
  • cover the electrical sockets with plugs and hide the cables,
  • remove items from the lower shelves that may be dangerous to the child: glass vases, boxes with sewing supplies, etc.,
  • place potted plants high,
  • If you have a cat or a dog, move their bowls of water and food out of the reach of a baby.

It's good to know thatsome babies skip the crawling stage . They do stand on all fours, but still choose creep as a way of moving. You should not be alarmed by this. However, it is important that the baby often plays freely on the floor, exercising muscles, coordination and balance. Because this is the basis for it to take the next step in development soon.

At some point he will start to get upclinging to the furniture, then cautiously lunges forward on two legs. Children who cannot crawl often begin to walk independently before the age of one.

8-month-old baby sits down

Once your baby has mastered the position on all fours, she is ready to sit on her own. He often succeeds by accident the first time. Leaning on his hands at the front, he inadvertently shifts his pelvis to the side and suddenly sits down on his butt.

From now on she will repeat this trick more and more.Don't worry if your baby isn't sitting up yet . Many babies don't learn this skill until they are nine months old.

You can start bathing your baby securely in a large tub (put a non-slip mat on the bottom). Give him a rubber duck, a light ball or a plastic boat to play with. She will be delighted! But don't leave it alone in the water even for a moment.

8-month-old baby accurately catches

The baby's hands are very functional. The toddler no longer grasps objects with his whole hand. She discovers that she can hold her thumb against the other fingers. The so-calledscissor gripallows for much more precise movements.

This is a good time to offer your baby toys that require more dexterity of hands, e.g. blocks with elements that can be rotated or moved, or a pyramid.

8-month-old baby starts communicating

The baby plays with his voice. "Ooo!", "Aaa!" she shouts, but also discovers that she can whisper. He often babbles repeating "ma-ma", "ta-ta". Contrary to appearances, it does not mean parents, it is just playing with sounds. Conscious, she will begin to use these kind words for her parents at the earliest at the end of her first year of life.

For now, the child is more and more skilled at communicating with his parents non-verbally. When he wants to be picked up, he stretches out his hands. If he's fed up with food, he presses his lips together and pushes the teaspoon away. When you interrupt his fun, he protests by shouting.

Eighth month crisis

On the one hand, the baby boldly ventures into distant parts of the apartment and is curious about the world, but on the other hand, he very much needs the sense of security provided by the closeness of his mother. So he wants you to be in his sight all the time. When you go out, even to the bathroom, she starts crying. Psychologists call this stage in a child's lifethe crisis or anxiety of the eighth month .

The baby begins to realize that she and mom are two different people, accompanied by a fear of separation. In addition, the toddler does not understand yet that after leaving the room, mum does not disappear forever. He is afraid of losing her and despairing.

Don't worry, this crisis won't last long. In understanding that after leaving the room you do not disappear forever, the game of "A cuckoo" will help your child.

Take turns caring for the baby with your partner. As the toddler spends more time with his dad, he will understand that he can also feel safe and have fun with him. And mom will cease to be the only one.

Extending the diet - food to the hand

A baby that sits by itself and grasps small objects can eat from the handle. Of course, it cannot be anything hard, because the child still has few teeth and cannot cope with a piece of apple or a slice of stale bread.

Food served to the handle should be soft , so that the little one can easily crush it with his gums. Boiled vegetables and very ripe fruit are especially recommendable. It is important that the pieces are not too small.

Carrots, courgettes or mangoes are best cut into finger-sized bars, potato and peach - into quarters, broccoli or cauliflower - into larger florets.

Due to the risk of chokingdo not give your child small fruit and vegetablesat the beginning (blueberries, currants, peas). Also, do not cut the products into small cubes or slices.

Don't leave your baby unattended while eating for a while.

Most children love being independent at the table. If your little one is an exception, be patient, he will soon find out that food from the handle tastes great.

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Worth knowing

What can an 8-month-old baby do?

8-month-old baby usually:

  • stands on all fours,
  • tries to sit up by itself,
  • crawls with skill or starts crawling,
  • grabs small items,
  • eating from the handle.

What should worry?

Consult the pediatrician when infant:

  • does not try to crawl,
  • does not try to stand on all fours,
  • doesn't chat.

Regardless of the age, the signals that the child should be examined by a doctor are also marked tremors, persistent asymmetry of the body and peculiar positioning of the hands.

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