Everything you need to know about your eight-month-old!

The average weight for a baby girl at nine months old is around 18.1 pounds, while baby boys typically weigh in at approximately 19.6 pounds. It's important to remember that these numbers are just averages and there's a wide range of healthy weights for babies. What's most vital is that your little one is steadily gaining weight, which is a sign of their overall health and well-being.

According to WHO growth charts, baby girls average around 27.6 inches, while baby boys usually measure around 28.3 inches. However, remember that every baby is unique and some may grow a little faster or slower than these averages – it's all perfectly normal! As mentioned, your little one should be having their next check with a health visitor this month, so you’ll be able to get some accurate figures and see how they’re doing compared to averages.

Many babies may have a tooth or two by now, making their smiles even more cute. Remember to keep up with brushing their teeth every day once they do emerge.

Babbling Turning Into Words

You might hear simple words start appearing this month. Whether they know they're words or not! Encourage this by repeating words, engaging in playful conversations with your little one, and eagerly nodding each time they say a word.

Pointing and Gesturing 

Your baby is starting to understand the power of pointing at things. This newfound ability is their way of telling you what sparks their interest or more importantly, what they want to get their hands on! You may notice them pointing towards objects they want to explore or reach out for in a way you haven’t seen before.

Be sure to respond to their gestures with enthusiasm and engage in a little game of "guess what I want”, because let’s face it, pointing with their tiny arms doesn’t always narrow down what they’re after. 

Learning through Exploration

Your baby's environment is still their playground of learning, even when you’re simply sitting at home. You might think you’re just having fun and spending quality time together, but their favourite books and toys are valuable cognitive development tools. 

This month you may find them starting to pick out familiar animals and characters from books, as well as toys that they often reach for. For example, if you ask, "Where's the bunny?" they might eagerly point to their bunny teddy or a picture of a bunny in a book.

Short Attention Span

As your baby continues to discover how amazing their toys are, you might notice that their attention span remains relatively short. It's normal for them to become easily bored with toys or activities, even when becoming more engaged and interactive. 

Remember that their little brains are working overtime to process all of the new and exciting information they encounter daily. Short attention spans are just a part of the developmental process and nothing to worry about.

To make the most of this phase, offer a range of activities to keep your little one engaged. Rotating toys is a great way to switch it up for your little one. 

Try to gather five or six different toys into their toy basket and switch these up every few weeks, rather than having every toy readily available at all times. This encourages them to focus on one toy for longer, go back for the same one more than once, and stops them becoming bored or overwhelmed.         

Around this time your little one is making huge strides in expressing their emotions and they’re becoming much better at letting you know what they want or need. You'll notice them reaching out for toys or food, using gestures to show what they want, or even babbling excitedly when they see something they like. 

Obviously, if your little one reaches for something unsafe, you can’t give it to them. But if they’re reaching for a particular toy or food they enjoy, try to let them have it where possible.

This will help reinforce their attempts at communication and teach them that it’s good to show you what they want. While they’re still so young, try not to see this as ‘giving in’, as your little one’s emotional skills haven’t developed enough to know what ‘getting their own way’ even means!

As well as recognising the things that they want, your baby might also start recognising their own name this month. When you call their name, they may turn their head in your direction or look at you curiously.  

This month is a big one for social interaction. And, as your baby's budding personality is shining through over the next few weeks, they might start shaking their head or even attempting to say 'no.' While it may seem cute and playful to see your little one genuinely responding, it also shows their growing independence and decision-making abilities.  

With so much exciting development this month, engaging with your little one is crucial throughout the day. Describe the world around them, whether you're changing their nappy, preparing their dinner, or going for a walk. Engage in two-way conversations, responding to any sounds or words they say, even if they don’t make a lot of sense!         

From when your baby was tiny, you'll be amazed at the leaps and bounds they've made in their fine motor skills. You may have noticed your baby's fingers becoming more coordinated and precise in recent weeks. This newfound skill enables them to pick up tiny objects using their thumb and forefinger, much like a tiny pincer or crab!  

In line with improving their gripping skills, your baby’s fascination with opening and closing things likely knows no bounds! Whether it's a simple flap on a board book or a toy with doors that swing open, they are easily captivated by this repetitive action for what feels like hours. 

Toys that encourage this type of exploration are great for their fine motor development. Consider introducing toys such as shape sorters, stackers, building blocks, and cups that nest within each other.  

Other Ways to Encourage Fine Motor Skills

As a parent, there are plenty of ways to promote your baby’s fine motor skills. Here are some simple yet effective ways to encourage their development:

• Provide a Variety of Textured Toys: Offer toys with different textures and sizes to stimulate their senses and keep their tiny fingers engaged.
• Offer Safe Household Objects: Give your baby safe household objects like wooden spoons, plastic containers, and empty cardboard boxes. These everyday items can be a source of endless fascination.
• Finger Foods: Introduce finger foods that encourage self-feeding. This not only enhances their fine motor skills but also promotes independence during mealtime.

By the time your baby reaches this age, they’ll likely be on the way to mastering the art of crawling. If not, there’s a good chance later this month will see them on the move. Still, it’s important to note that some babies (especially those who bum-shuffle across the room) can skip the crawling stage altogether and go straight to walking! All babies develop and learn to move in their own way. Try not to worry at this stage if your little one isn’t crawling much.

If your little one has already embarked on the crawling adventure, this month will see them transition to the next big thing – pulling themselves up on furniture. You might notice them cruising, holding onto the edge of the sofa or coffee table and moving along it with newfound confidence.

This is an excellent time to revisit your baby-proofing efforts. Double-check those cabinet locks, edge protectors, and any potential hazards in your home. Their curiosity knows no bounds as they gain more mobility, so staying one step ahead in baby-proofing is essential.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking your little one needs shoes now that they're becoming more mobile. However, hold off on those tiny shoes for a bit longer. The general rule of thumb is to avoid shoes until your baby is properly walking and ready to venture outdoors.

Bare feet are best for your little one at this stage. Those tiny toes gripping the floor help develop essential muscles in your baby's feet. Plus, it enhances their balance and coordination, making those first steps more secure when the time comes.         

On average, your baby needs around 14 hours of sleep a day to support their growth and development as they approach 9-months-old. Most of this sleep is distributed between night and daytime naps. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

Nighttime Sleep: Your little one will likely sleep for about 11 hours at night, with many of them sleeping straight through the night. Yes, you heard it right – some parents are fortunate to have babies who sleep soundly for a full night's rest. However, it's perfectly normal if your baby still wakes occasionally.

Daytime Naps: In addition to nighttime sleep, your baby will benefit from two daily naps, which typically add up to three to four hours. These naps are essential for recharging their energy and supporting their cognitive and physical development.

This month, you might notice that your little explorer refuses their shorter morning nap some days. Don't stress too much. This is entirely normal. At this age, babies are becoming more curious about the world around them, and life is just too exciting to take a break! If your baby occasionally skips their morning nap, it's okay. If needed, you can adjust their schedule to accommodate a longer afternoon nap or an earlier bedtime.

Remember that every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep. Some little one’s might sleep like clockwork, while others may have more sporadic patterns. The key is to adapt to your baby's individual needs and comfort them during those occasional sleepless nights.

To encourage your baby to sleep well, ensure they have a comfortable and safe sleep environment. Head here for safe sleep tips.         

As your little one continues to grow and explore the world of weaning, you might notice some exciting changes in their eating habits. By this month, you may have noticed that your baby is gradually reducing their milk consumption. This is perfectly normal! 

As they become more curious about the world of solids, they might favour meal times over milk feeds. It's a promising sign that they are on the path to becoming little foodies. 

Changing Food Habits

As their eating habits change, one important thing to remember is that there are no strict rules about how much or little food your baby should eat at this stage. Each baby is different and their appetites can vary, even from day to day. 

You might feel ready to consider introducing snacks for particularly hungry babies if you feel your little one is hungry between meal times. But, according to the NHS, babies under twelve months old don’t need any snacks. If your baby seems hungry, offer an extra milk feed between their meal times.

At each of their three meals, aim to include a variety of nutrients to support your baby's growth and development. Think of it as building a balanced plate. Try to incorporate a different carbohydrate, fruit, vegetable in each, and a protein source in two out of three meals. 

Over this month, you'll notice that your baby's finger food skills are improving. They might start to grab and self-feed small pieces of food more often than in the last few months of weaning.

Offering soft, baby-friendly finger foods like diced fruits, well-cooked vegetables, and small portions of pasta can encourage self-feeding. Always supervise mealtime and ensure the pieces are small enough to prevent choking hazards even as your baby grows.

Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, so don't worry if your little one takes longer to master these skills. Encourage exploration, celebrate their progress, and enjoy these precious meal times together.         

As you’ve probably gathered by now, this month is the month of movement. At this point, many babies are crawling like crazy and pulling themselves up on furniture. This newfound freedom is exciting, but it also means they can reach for objects and hazards that were once out of their grasp. 

Even if you’ve previously baby-proofed your home for crawling, it’s a good idea to do another check now they’re standing taller. To ensure a safe environment, get down to their level and inspect your home carefully. 

Another important step that can often be overlooked is to check the height of your little one’s cot. As your baby becomes more active, they might attempt to climb out of their cot when they’re ready to get up. To prevent any potential falls, it's a good idea to lower the cot mattress to its lowest position to ensure they aren’t able to climb out.

The Second NHS Health Review

As they approach 9-months-old, you'll likely get booked in for your second NHS review with your health visitor or another nurse. This check-up covers various aspects of your baby's development:

• Feeding: Discuss your baby's feeding habits and weaning progress, and address any concerns or questions you may have.
• Learning and Movement: Your health visitor will assess your baby's developmental milestones, ensuring they are on track for their age.
• Vision and Hearing: The health review will include checks for any vision or hearing issues needing attention.
• Language Development: Language milestones will also be assessed, and you can discuss any concerns or questions about your baby's communication skills.

This second health review is about checking up on your little one, but it’s also about ensuring you have the information you need to support your little one’s development best as they venture towards their first birthday. It’s a fantastic opportunity to address any concerns or seek guidance on your baby's well-being. 

Don't hesitate to ask questions or share any worries you may have, and remember that no question is a silly question. Your health visitor is there to help you and make you feel as comfortable as possible in supporting your little one.