What's the baby up to?
Growth points
Cruising is a sign that your baby is well on her way to walking. Your baby develops at her own pace and might be walking soon after she starts to cruise, or she may take her time and stay in the cruising stage a little longer.
Your baby will go into the cruising phase after she has mastered standing (pulling herself up) against furniture. She will start by shuffling sideways, moving slowly along the side of an object. She will use both hands to hold on and will move her legs without picking them up from the floor but sliding them. After a few weeks of cruising your baby will start to lift her back leg and bring it to the front leg without sliding it - this is a very important step in your baby's development.
After a month or so your baby will be able to cruise with just one hand holding on to a piece of furniture and she might use the other hand to pick up a toy and throw it.
Month 8 Milestones
By month 8 most babies will:
- Sit unsupported
- Hold and eat a biscuit
- Make a wet, farty sound with their mouths
- Recognise their name when you speak to them
- Be able to pass an object from one hand to another
Other stuff to think about
No mom, don't go!
Around this age your sociable baby may suddenly develop a fear of other people and become more clingy.
He may cry when you leave the room or when you leave him with someone else.
Not only strangers are scary at this point - even his father or another familiar people may frighten him.
He may also start to be upset when you leave the room.
This separation anxiety is part of a baby's development and not something you should be concerned about.
He still has to understand fully that when you can't see something or someone, they still exist.
You'll notice:
- He may start crying when you leave the room.
- He'll cling or cry, especially in new situations.
- He might wake up crying at night after previously sleeping through.
How to handle it
- Comfort your child when he is afraid and keep calm.
- Tell your baby that you are going to another room briefly, then come back.
- Don't prolong good-byes.
Go back to the complete list of Baby week-by-week updates.
