DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the eighth month:

• Is strong enough to pull up and stand up by himself. 
• Understands simple instructions and responds to his name. 
• Shakes, bangs or throws objects. 
• Has a regular sleeping schedule.
• May reach and pick up objects.
• Soothes himself with familiar objects such as a safety blanket or a favorite teddy.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Ear infections

If your baby has an ear infection, he may be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Cries more than usual
• Pulls on his ear because he is in pain
• Has fever of over 100 ºF and general malaise
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fussy and sleepless

If you think your baby has an ear infection, the doctor will have to see him for a diagnose.

DON´T FORGET!

You should schedule an appointment with your pediatrician for your baby’s 9-month immunizations.  

LEARNING & GROWING

Your baby’s independence

In this stage, your baby is very curious and wants to explore everything around him. Check that during this time of exploration, your baby’s temperament and frustration start to show. Help your baby deal with frustration. Give him more love during these bursts of independence.  

Help him learn

Every day, you can help your baby to learn how to do new things, such as:

• Help him to crawl
• Give him a box with large objects that he can take out and put back inside.
• Speak or sing to him or read him a store. 
• Give him a ball that he can bounce
• Give him pots and pans, measuring cups and wooden spoons he can bang and make noise with. 

DAILY CARE

Food allergies

Following is a list of foods you should avoid during the first year of life, due to the possibilities of food allergies. 

• Eggs
• Cow’s milk
• Wheat
• Soy products
• Peanuts
• Nuts (almonds, pecans, etc.)
• Fish and shellfish

SAFETY & CHILDPROOFING

Baby-proofing your home

Protect your baby from danger while it grows and learns:

• Make sure electric cables are not loose but covered with tape or fixed to the wall. 
• Protect all electrical sockets with plastic safety covers.
• Tie blind cords and curtains out of the baby’s reach.
• Install safety latches in drawers and cabinets. 
• Use safety rails on stairways.
• Keep sharp objects out of the baby’s reach.
• Cover the sharp edges of furniture, such as coffee tables. 
• Keep cleaning supplies, chemicals and medicines out if your baby’s reach or under lock and key.
• Keep any small object the baby could put in his mouth out of his reach.
• Keep bathroom doors closed (and locked if necessary).

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Earache Tablets and Drops (after a doctor’s diagnose, you may alleviate ear discomfort naturally by using Hyland´s Earache Drops.)

• Hyland’s Diaper Ointment

DEVELOPMENT & KEY MILESTONES

Your baby’s development in the seventh month:

• Can feed himself with his hands.
• Babbles, shouts and repeats sounds.
• Rocks himself back and forth, creeps or crawls.
• Can drink out of a cup with your help.
• Prefers or refuses certain foods.
• Can already express happiness or discomfort.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Baby Bottle-mouth (cavities or tooth decay caused by the bottle)

The baby’s teeth require attention even before they grow. Some tips to protect your baby from bottle-mouth (cavities caused by the bottle) are: 

• Always hold the baby while feeding him. 
• Never put the baby to sleep with a bottle.
• Wash his gums and teeth with a soft towel.

LEARNING & GROWING

Help him to learn

It is very important that you devote time to your baby on a daily basis. Playing with your baby will help him develop self-confidence while he learns about the world around him.

• Expose him to the world around him regularly.
• Play with him on a daily basis.
• Babies love to play peek-a-boo.
• At this age, he loves to imitate the sounds you make.
• Rock him, read to him and sing songs with words that rhyme. 
• Put a favorite toy out of his reach to help him learn to crawl.

DAILY CARE

Introducing new foods to your baby’s diet. 

You may start to introduce new foods to your baby’s diet. Some finger foods are: 

• Cubed cooked tender meat or very finely ground meat
• Soft cheese cubes
• Steamed cubed veggies, such as potatoes, carrots, green peas or squash 
• Soft toast, bits of tortilla or rice. 
• Cubed peeled and soft fruit (seedless and shelled). 

Food you should avoid feeding your baby:

• Raw eggs and raw milk
• Foods that pose a choking hazard such as corn, nuts, popcorn, seeds, grapes, etc. 
• Hot foods
• Do not add salt, sugar or condiments to your baby’s food

IMPORTANT!

Whenever possible, have your baby eat with the family.

WARNING!

Never feed honey or cow’s milk to a child who is under one year of age! Honey may contain a very harmful bacterium for babies. 

PARENT'S CORNER

Lack of sleep

Sleeping and resting properly is very important so that you may do your activities and have a relaxed relationship with your baby and the rest of the family. A lack of sleep can make you feel irritated and short-tempered. If you are very tired, you won’t be able to care for your baby properly. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.

Hyland´s Product Recommendations

• Hyland’s Teething Tablets and Gel

• Hyland’s Nerves Tonic and Calms Forté™ (for adults)