8 months

Your baby is learning to…

• Respond to their own name
• Sit by themselves
• Actively show affection for primary carers and familiar people by cuddling and pressing in
• Become anxious when taken away from their primary carer
• Play bouncing games on an adults knee

I Know My Name

Using your baby’s name regularly will help them in becoming familiar with it. Play singing games such as “I wonder what my name is?” and “Where is (your baby’s name)”. Refer to your baby by their name throughout the day.

I Can Sit

Your baby may start to be able to sit for short periods of time. Make sure that your baby is sitting in a safe place when playing with their toys. Keep your baby engaged by giving them a variety of toys including; pop up toys, books, stacking and nesting cups, as these are easily held whilst sitting.

Cuddle Time

Babies love to be cuddled. You may notice that your baby has started to snuggle in and return all the cuddles they have been receiving since birth. Cuddle time is a great time to read to your baby and spend some quality time singing softly or simply watching the world go by.

Do I Know You?

It is a good time for your baby to have short periods being looked after by someone else. You may find that baby becomes upset when they are given to people they do not know well. Repetition is the only way that you can overcome this through getting baby used to being with other people.

Bouncing Games

Babies love to be bounced on your knee.  Pretend to be a horse and bounce baby on your ankle, whilst holding their hands. Remember to play bouncing games before baby eats!

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