Milestones at 8 Months

Your baby is probably a champ at sitting unsupported, and will soon start moving around. This is a good time to baby-proof your home. If you haven’t already, cover furniture corners, get electrical and window blind cords out of reach, cover light sockets and put away dangerous or breakable items. You may want some cabinet locks, too.

Here’s what a baby typically does at 8 months:

Social / Emotional Milestones

May be distressed when separated from you or others he or she knows and trusts (separation anxiety)
May become quiet or upset when meeting someone new
May enthusiastically meet new people or need more time to feel comfortable with them
May like things loud and active, or quiet and calm
May be very active or more of an observer

Language / Communication Milestones

Babbles a lot
Makes sounds in response to someone talking to him or her
Uses voice to express happiness, anger, frustration or other emotions
Copies actions you make, such as waving “bye-bye” and shaking his or her head “no.”

Movement / Physical Milestones

Holds small objects between thumb and other fingers
Can sit unsupported and start to reach for things while sitting
May crawl or scoot; may try to stand by pulling up on furniture

Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

All babies are different and develop at their own pace. If your infant has not yet reached some of these milestones, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.

Still, you know your child best. And developmental delays or disorders are most successfully treated when caught early.

If you have concerns, don’t wait.

Talk with the healthcare provider if you think your child...

Is not meeting milestones for his or her age
Has lost skills he or she once had, or is not doing something you’d expect him or her to be doing

Or if you have concerns about...

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves
Other things your child does

SOURCE: These developmental milestones from child health and development organizations, including Zero to Three, provide a general idea of what most babies can do at this age.

See also ...