Surviving Your Baby's Eighth Month - Things You Ought to Know

Big changes are coming in your baby's eighth month of life. By now, he or she has made a lot of big changes. They are moving around, making noises, and exploring everything with their mouth. What's more, they can recognize you and really take in their surroundings, since their vision is working at its best. So, get ready to start chasing after that baby.

Since Junior is crawling around, you have to keep a good eye on him. When baby's crawl, they encounter new objects. This could mean they'll find things you don't want them to get into. And everything they find is going to be put straight into their mouth, which is not always what you want to happen. Small, sharp objects can be dangerous, so just keep an eye out.

Also, since your infant is mobile, corners and other rough objects may hurt them. This doesn't mean you have to pad every corner in your house; your child won't break if they bump into a table leg. However, be prepared to comfort your child if that happens. Be happy so they don't feel like they have to cry. And do baby-proof some things, like electrical sockets, for instance.

By now, your child is probably also teething. This process happens between six and twelve months of age. If you see your baby drooling a lot or crying for no reason, this may be a sign of teething. Plus, when excess saliva is present, it can cause a rash or diarrhea. When you start to see these signs, it's time to help your baby out. Cold, hard teething rings can help numb the pain; if your doctor okays it, you can also try acetaminophen.

Another fun thing to deal with is your baby's growing personality. He or she is probably starting to make certain gestures or sounds for specific wants or needs, like raising his arms when he wants picked up. However, he or she might also act up a bit when you are around. By this age, babies start to test their limits. Since they know you always take care of them, they'll start this process with you. So, if you feel like the babysitter does a better job of calming your kid down, that's perfectly normal. Children are less likely to act up around less familiar faces.

These phases of acting up and teething will pass. You may not enjoy it at the time, but you'll look back on the memories fondly.