8 Month Old Baby Development: Cause and Effect
Your schedule with baby is falling into place! Go you! You're beginning to develop that sixth sense about baby's naps, feeding times and, yes, even his dirty and wet diapers. Sure, you'll still be going in for the sniff test and the is-it-wet squeeze, but now you're figuring out just when to do them.
What You're Thinking: "Finally! We can run to the store and (most likely) avoid a public diaper blowout! Woohoo, no more poop-stained pants ... for either of us!"
Baby Milestones
- Miss Independent wants to feed herself lately and will reach for a spoon while she's being fed. Now is a good time to give her a plastic baby spoon of her own, so she has one to use while you have another one to feed her with. Of course, this will make a big mess, which means you might want to avoid stains by stripping her down while she eats to prevent adding yet another outfit to the daily laundry pile.
- Your baby is fascinated by the concept of cause and effect and will conduct little tests by throwing things (including food) on the floor. Remember, she's not testing you, she's conducting a scientific experiment! Just keep a large plastic sheet on the floor, and you'll both stay happy.
- Indulge her newfound interest in science with a push-button toy where different characters pop up depending on the button she presses. (And justify the expense by telling yourself that you're practically raising a little Einstein!)
Mommy Milestones
- You had no problem asking a stranger for a diaper at the playground. You've accumulated enough good karma diaper points with all the diapers you've given away!
- You had a dream you were pregnant ... again—and you didn't wake up in a panic. (OK, maybe a little ...)
- You found a diaper bag that you actually like and can find things in.
- You found that pacifier you thought you'd lost when you cleaned out the old diaper bag to move everything to the new one!
Home Front
You may have had teenage dreams of cruising around in a hot convertible, your hair whipping around your designer sunglasses, you waving at all your jealous high school friends from the driver's seat ... Isn't it funny how a tiny child can change that convertible into something that's easy to clean and has a TV screen in the back of the headrest? If you're considering swapping your vehicle for something more family-friendly, we've got some pointers on picking out a family car. Read more ...
Everything you ever wanted to know ... and were just about to ask ...
Do It:
Wee! It's a V!
Give baby a head start on the Pilates craze with this do-together exercise.
Buy It: Automobile Bottle Warmer
Heat up baby's "ba ba" anytime, anywhere!
Share it: Miss Independence
Life's tough when your kid disses you.
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Baby Development: More Month 8 / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 8
All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.
report abuseGive baby a head start on the Pilates craze with this do-together exercise.
Buy It: Automobile Bottle Warmer
Heat up baby's "ba ba" anytime, anywhere!
Share it: Miss Independence
Life's tough when your kid disses you.
Discuss It: Chat with other new mamas and papas on our Baby Board.
BACK: Baby Development: More Month 8 / NEXT: Baby Development: More Month 8
All babies grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your kid with so-and-so's baby from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your baby's next checkup.
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