6-8 months
There are two very distinct strands
to your six-to-eight month old's personality and resulting baby milestones.
On one hand, she's an explorer, equipped with most of the skills she needs to investigate her surroundings. On the other, she's a timid soul who clings to the people she knows and loves, and often shies away from strangers.
With her better powers of memory she's getting to know the difference between things that are familiar and safe, and those that are new and un-tested. You can see just how much her memory is improving by watching her reaction to a toy that she has dropped. Up until now she would have forgotten it and moved on. By nine months, she looks in the right direction to see where the toy has gone.
Main Milestones
- Mouthing (exploring with her mouth)
- Teething (such as drooling, biting, sucking)
- Cutting first baby teeth
- Making attention-seeking sounds
- Rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back
- Moves objects from hand to hand
- Sits without support
- Crawls
Your 6-8 month baby’s mouth is highly sensitive. She is learning about the world and herself by putting everything into her mouth. Your baby is also probably teething now, too. You can comfort her with teethers (or "soothers"), which come in a variety of textures, shapes and sizes so your little one can explore while also massaging those sensitive gums.
Sometime between 6 months and a year, your baby’s first tooth will appear. When it does, you will need to keep her teeth healthy with gum and tooth cleaners designed for babies.
Is your baby ready for spoon-feeding? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) your baby is ready when she:
- Is curious about food you’re eating
- Can push food from front to back of mouth with tongue
- Sits supported (as in a highchair)