Your baby has started to make more conscious and purposeful movements instead of newborn baby reflexes. Because it’s now 8 months old! It will express its wishes not by crying, but by showing or turning. Your baby may even be inconsistent with food. It eats healthy, solid, family meals one day and shows no interest in anything but milk the next.

Baby Development

In a few months, your baby will not be able to crawl, stand up, and then start walking. It will hold on to things and test its developing muscles by throwing them. Your baby learns how objects work by shaking, slamming and throwing them. It likes to see things fall (by you, of course), pick up and then throw them back down. It`s not trying to drive you crazy. Your baby finds the show interesting and naturally wants to see it over and over again. It is learning important problem-solving and cognitive skills such as cause and effect.

Sometimes its rapid development can be a bit overwhelming for it. For this reason, some days it may want to be alone, but other times it may stick with you all day. As confusing as it may be, by the end of this period your baby will have been completely transformed with new skills and abilities in all areas.

Ideally, your baby will be able to hold onto furniture and get into a standing position and start sorting. It will fall off frequently in the process, so make sure there are no sharp edges or surfaces around it that could damage it.

Your baby, who has been mumbling for a long time, may now be saying its first words with meaning; `mom` can really mean mom right now! It may have associated certain sounds with certain objects at this age, so prepare yourself for your baby`s first words.

Its holding skills also develop to the point where it can hold its own bottle while feeding.

Changing diapers at this time is also becoming more difficult than ever. Previously, your baby didn`t show much resistance when changing, but now the same activity has the potential to turn into something longer and more complex! Therefore, always have something interesting with you to keep your baby busy during the diaper change.

Milestones

1. Your baby`s fingers will be strong enough to point at the desired item and grab light objects such as toys and feeding bottles.

1. Your baby will have been babbling for a few months, but that didn`t make much sense until now. However, its first words will be spoken very soon, and the forerunners will often be `mom` or father.

Nutrition

By this time, your baby will have largely transitioned to solid food.

Although the molars have not grown, it is possible for the baby to chew with strong gums. Will be able to chew most food items, except difficult ones. When you eat something that is not suitable for your baby (like fast food), always have a few healthy foods that you make at home for your baby when you go out. Never give any external food.

Unless your baby is into solid foods, it`s best not to force it. This can lead to poor relationships with food and eating problems in the future. Even if your baby has to eat solid foods by the end of the 9th month at the latest, you should remember that breast milk remains the main source of nutrition. Your baby can switch to finger food in these weeks. Finger foods are the primary item that makes babies love to eat.

Finger Food Tips

Finger foods are small pieces of food that your baby can grab and eat by itself. Feeding in this way also has a positive effect on the psychology of the 8-month-old baby.

It develops a sense of independence in the baby, because the baby has the freedom to eat on its own. This is the diet preferred by the BLW method.

The baby`s first finger foods should be foods that it can easily circulate between the gums, swallow and do not need to chew. The consistency of all of them should be soft enough to be crushed on the palate. For example;

1. Soft banana

1. Pear

1. Peach piece parts

1. Whole grain bread crumbs

1. Cooked carrots

1. Broccoli etc.

You can observe how your baby eats these foods by placing it in front of it with an unbreakable plate while it is in the highchair. However, considering the possibility of escaping into the air-tube, you should be careful not to give it while it is crawling or not sitting in a highchair. You should also stay away from hard foods such as nuts and corn.

Sleep

During this period, the number of daytime naps usually decreases to two. This can cause disruptions in its sleep patterns. Also, during the first days of the transition period, your baby may be more cranky and more tired than usual. To solve your fatigue, you can put it to sleep a little earlier in the evening.

Care Tips

1. If your baby begins to cry or purr in the middle of the night, do not intervene immediately. It may be turning and making noise in its sleep cycle, sometimes your baby quickly falls back into a deep sleep. If you give support at every first sound, there is a high probability that it is used to it. Give it the opportunity to fall asleep for 1-2 minutes.

1. Everyday objects such as measuring cups, Tupperware, shoe boxes and wooden spoons will keep your baby busy and delight as it experiments over and over.

1. Develop a consistent, fun farewell ritual. Say goodbye in a loving but genuine way. Tell it where you`re going, why you`re going, and when you`ll be back.

1. Keep cosmetics, personal care products, medicines, vitamin and mineral supplements, cleaning supplies, pesticides and all other household items locked up and out of your baby`s reach.

Tests and Vaccines

Your baby was given a series of vaccinations during its 6-month checkup, and the next vaccinations will be scheduled when it turns 1-year-old. In other words, there is no vaccine until 1-year-old.

Plays and Activities

Controlled movements are in vogue at this time, so encourage your baby to wave, clap, and point as much as possible.

Sounds delight it more than you think! You can play simple noise association games by banging utensils or dropping squeaky toys to the floor. Let it explore the various sounds around it. Also, you should talk to your baby as much as possible.

When to Apply to The Doctor?

If you think there is a problem with your baby`s behavior, it is recommended that you discuss this with your pediatrician. As moms, trust your instincts along with your logic to decide what is best for your baby.