Week 35

If you’ve been putting some miles on your baby’s stroller, it may be time for a safety inspection and some maintenance. Be sure to check the stroller regularly for any parts that may have broken off or come loose which your baby could find and put in his or her mouth. Make sure the wheels, brakes, and straps are in good working order and there are no sharp edges around the stroller. Finish it off with a thorough wipe-down and you’ll be ready to cruise in style (and safety) again.

Your New Baby

At eight months old, babies usually range from 25.25 inches long and 15.25 pounds (10th percentile) to 28.5 inches long and 20.5 pounds (90th percentile).
Once your baby starts pulling themselves up on furniture, it’s time to inspect your home for rocking chairs, recliners, and anything else on wheels or that’s unstable. If your baby tries to pull themselves up on an item that moves, shifts, or falls over, he or she can go tumbling (and the item can fall on top of him or her). Block his or her access to these unstable items as much as possible using baby gates or simply move the item to a room that is inaccessible to him or her.
If you are still nursing your baby, there may come a time when he or she just doesn’t seem interested anymore. This is common in babies around this age. They are so interested in the world around them that they don’t want to take time out to eat anymore – but it is generally just a phase and passes with time. When it’s time to nurse, try moving into another room that is quiet and free of toys that could distract your baby. Turn off the TV and any other noises that might pique his or her curiosity. Also try nursing him or her when he or she is sleepy – a tired baby might be more apt to stop playing so that he or she can eat.
Your baby understands more of what you say and he or she may comprehend common words like “ball” and “bottle.” Satisfy his or her thirst for knowledge by reading him or her lots of baby books and telling him or her the name for everything. He or she’s taking in every word!

A Quote Worth Repeating

“Children have more need of models, than of critics.”
~ Joseph Joubert

A Tip from the Trenches

A trip to the supermarket becomes a whole new adventure when you have your baby in tow. Now that he or she is getting older and more active, he or she may not appreciate sitting still while you browse the aisles. There are (at least) 5 things to remember about your child’s safety in a shopping cart:

1. Try to use an infant seat whenever one is available, or use a front carrier.
2. Always use the restraining belt.
3. Never allow a child to stand in the basket of the cart.
4. Never allow a child to ride outside the cart.
5. Most importantly, never leave your child unattended.

As your child gets older, it will become more difficult for him or her to wait patiently in line. Here are five things to entertain him or her while you wait.

1. If he or she knows colors, ask your baby to find a color.
2. Read a short book. Keep one in your purse for shopping trips.
3. Identify foods in the basket.
4. Ask your baby to point to a part of his or her body when you say it.
5. Sing songs together. You may be a little embarrassed, but usually other people smile and join in.

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