Pulling to Stand!
Your baby pulls up to standing at furniture and is bursting with pride. Crawling at full speed, and separation anxiety may be at its peak.
Development
- Pulls up to standing at furniture, sofas, and your legs
- Crawls at speed and explores the whole house
- Pincer grasp develops — beginning to pick up small things with thumb and index finger
- Points at things they want — an important communication step
- Sorting mentally: Knows that balls roll and blocks can be stacked
- Separation anxiety may be at its peak — cries when you leave the room
Growth
- Boys: Average 19.0 lbs / 28.0 in (8.6 kg / 71 cm)
- Girls: Average 17.6 lbs / 27.2 in (8.0 kg / 69 cm)
Sleep
- 11–14 hours per day (nighttime sleep 10–11 hours + 2 naps)
- 8-month sleep regression can bring more night waking. Separation anxiety and new motor skills disrupt sleep
- Your baby may pull to stand in the crib and not be able to get back down
Feeding
- 3 solid food meals + breast milk or formula
- More finger foods and coarser textures — your baby wants to feed themselves
- Try soft pieces: pasta, bread, fruit slices
- Cup gradually replaces bottle
- Vitamin D: Continue with 400 IU (10 micrograms) daily
Good to Know
- Separation anxiety is tough, but it means the attachment bond is strong
- Always say goodbye when you leave — do not sneak out. Your baby learns that you always come back
- Your baby can pull up but cannot always get back down. Help them practice
Activity Tips
Build a tower of blocks and let your baby knock it down! Stacking and knocking down is perfect for practicing fine motor skills and learning about cause and effect.
Explore on Babysential
- Sleep Tracker — Important during the 8-month regression
- Milestones — Log new skills
- Baby — All baby guides and tools
Tip: Be patient with separation anxiety. It is exhausting, but completely normal — and it does pass.