WHAT SHOULD SHE EAT?
 

• Do not add salt, sugar or any spices to the food that you cook for your baby.
• Mash all food well, leaving out some chunks for her to chew and eventually swallow.
• Puree vegetables and fruits , be careful to remove seeds, they could choke her.
• Always cook fresh food, and always in small quantities, to avoid wastage.
• Some good choices in this phase are sweet potatoes, yellow pumpkin and apricot.
• Only if you have to, seal and store leftovers in sterilized containers in the fridge. But be sure to destroy after 2 days.
   

WHAT WILL SHE DO AT THIS TIME?

Your baby is able to finely appreciate different sounds now, and can mostly, differentiate between household and outdoor sounds.
She will love to bang on things and making rhythmic sounds, banging things together for the sound that emanates from them.
You may see her sitting on the floor or bouncing up and down, while she sways to music. Sing a song or play one for her. She will love to dance to its notes.


WHAT YOU COULD HELP HER DO!

You could start teaching her baby sign language around this time. There must have been many times when she could not communicate exactly what she wanted with you, getting highly frustrated in the process. Teach her simple signs to express words like ‘milk’, ‘lots’, ‘go’, ‘play’ etc. Using them regularly will help her understand their meaning soon.

You can also teach her how to clap during this week. She will love to put her hands together and  dance to the tunes of Pat-a-Cake or any other nursery rhyme. Watch her clapping her hands together in glee!

The ‘in’ and ’out’ concept can also be explored for your baby. Give her some empty boxes and let her put a ball into them and pull them out. She will love to keep repeating it for a long time!

Look at your baby and say,” How big is my baby?” Put your hands out, stretching them wide. And then say “Sooooooo big!” Your baby might not be just able to do it as well as you do, but very soon she will be pushing her hands out when you ask her this question!

HOW MUCH WILL SHE SLEEP?

Your baby needs a good 14 hours of sleep now, as she will be physically very active, playing right through her waking hours. So, at the end of the day, she would be so tired that she will go off to sleep with a little support from your side. Sometimes, babies are so strung up and involved in the day’s activities that they are unable to sleep in the nights. Some babies even when put to sleep tend to get up and play on their own. If your baby shows such signs, try giving her a warm oil bath in the night and put her to bed immediately.

WHAT SHE WILL WEIGH

Your baby is growing and will soon approach her 1st year. She is already 8 months old, and by now should have gained more than double her weight. Look out for any signs of sickness, like a prolonged cold or flu. Consult the doctor if you feel something is not right.