Expanded maneuvering skills and crawling accelerate a baby's ability to explore during the eighth month of life. Parents are challenged with being able to maintain a balance between containing the child for safety or giving the child freedom to explore. Standing becomes more exciting than sitting. Eight month old babies can be kept busy for hours with quiet experimentation. They may begin to tear things up. The freedom to explore speeds learning and achievement at this age. More active babies tend to have a hard time settling down to sleep for naps or at bedtime. At this age, babies feel a powerful sense of loss and anger whenever they are separated from their mothers. New growth and development milestones occur by the end of 8 months.

The 8-month-old's motor skills include:
* Crawling and pulling on furniture to stand.
* Needing help to get down from standing.
* Sitting without support for 10 minutes.
* Pinching with the thumb and forefinger.

The 8-month-old's language skills include:
* May say "Ma-Ma" and "Da-Da" but not specifically to parents.
* Understanding simple instructions.
* Shaking head no.

The 8-month-old's mental abilities include:
* Reacting quickly to situations.
* Showing interest in cause-and-effect relationships like making wheels turn or bells sound.
* Anticipating events not related to own behavior like meeting Mom or Dad at the door.
* Solving simple problems.

The 8-month-old's social traits include:
* Shouting for attention.
* Pushing things away that are not wanted.
* Biting and chewing toys.

Introduce finger foods such as peas and pieces of cut-up, cooked carrots while feeding the baby. This will keep baby busy while the parent feeds her and may avoid disagreements over eating. It also allows her the satisfaction of doing something for herself. Use a playpen only for short periods of time with interesting toys to keep the child's attention. Give your baby plenty of time during the day to crawl freely. Secure all potentially toxic substances, such as cleansers and medicines in a locked cabinet. Be patient and loving.

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