The eighth month

What we will look at:

• What your baby can do
• Crawling
• Nappy rash
• Febrile seizures
• What you can do to help your baby

What your baby can do

• Sits unsupported
• Feeds self with biscuit
• Makes a wet razzling sound
• Knows his/her own name
• Takes her own weight when you hold her up
• Can pass an object from one hand to another

Crawling
Most babies start to crawl between seven and a half and nine months. Some parents are concerned when their babies don’t crawl by this stage. It is important not to compare your baby to anyone else’s. Your baby will start at his/her own pace. Good crawlers often start walking later than other babies. Some skip the crawling stage completely and go straight into a cruising stage, followed by walking.

There are also various different styles of crawling: some crawl on hands and knees, others scoot on their bottom or knee.

The most important thing is that your child should learn to move independently.

Here are some tips:

• Encourage freedom of movement
• Don’t let him stay in a playpen for long times
• Put an interesting object a short distance away from him/her
• Make sure his/her knees are covered

Nappy rash
To help prevent and treat nappy rash, click here.

Febrile seizures
Febrile seizures are frightening for both mother and baby. Read more about it and learn what to do when it happens.

What you can do to help your baby

• Encourage self-feeding.
• Play water games – give him containers that he can use to pour from but always supervise him near water.
• Play a variation of peek-a-boo by hiding her face with a cloth. She will soon learn to pull the cloth away.
• Place an interesting object a short distance away to encourage independent movement.
• Repeat the word “tatta” so that he can learn the meaning.
• Reward good behaviour.