Your baby at 8 months

Still between the 6-month and 9-month checklists. Coming up by 9 months on the CDC's list: looking for things dropped out of sight and moving things from one hand to the other.

There's no CDC checklist for 8 months; the CDC's checklists come at 6 months and 9 months. By 6 months, most babies (75% or more) do things like “Reaches to grab a toy she wants”. Coming up by 9 months: “Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)”. Both lists are below, with this month's play, talk and reading ideas.

Checked October 29, 2026.

Already, by 6 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

Knows familiar people
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Laughs

Language/Communication Milestones

Takes turns making sounds with you
Blows “raspberries” (sticks tongue out and blows)
Makes squealing noises

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Puts things in her mouth to explore them
Reaches to grab a toy she wants
Closes lips to show she doesn’t want more food

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Rolls from tummy to back
Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
Leans on hands to support herself when sitting

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 6 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 6 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Coming up, by 9 months

Social/Emotional Milestones

Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
Shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised
Looks when you call her name
Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)
Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Language/Communication Milestones

Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
Lifts arms up to be picked up

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)
Bangs two things together

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Gets to a sitting position by herself
Moves things from one hand to her other hand
Uses fingers to “rake” food towards himself
Sits without support

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 9 months, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 9 months. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

Where did it go?
Let your baby watch you drop a soft toy behind a cushion, then ask "Where did it go?" Help them find it, and cheer.
Hand to hand
Offer a toy to one hand. When your baby is holding it, offer a second toy to the same hand, so they move the first one across.
Up? Up!
Before you pick your baby up, hold out your arms, say "Up?" and wait a moment for them to lift their arms too.

Things to say

“Up? Do you want up?”
“Uh-oh! It fell.”
“One for this hand, one for that hand.”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A book to share

A touch-and-feel board book. Let your baby pat the soft and bumpy pages while you name each one. Board books can take a chew, and that's fine.

Your library has board books and picture books to borrow, and most run free story times.

Questions parents ask about this age

When do babies laugh?By 4 months: Chuckles (not yet a full laugh) when you try to make him laugh
When do babies roll over?By 6 months: Rolls from tummy to back
When do babies sit up?By 9 months: Sits without support
When do babies crawl?By 1 year: Pulls up to stand
When do babies babble?By 9 months: Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
When do babies respond to their name?By 9 months: Looks when you call her name
When do babies play peekaboo?By 9 months: Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo
When do babies get shy with strangers?By 9 months: Is shy, clingy, or fearful around strangers
When do babies say mama or dada?By 1 year: Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
When do babies recognize their parents?By 2 months: Seems happy to see you when you walk up to her
When do babies look for hidden toys?By 9 months: Looks for objects when dropped out of sight (like his spoon or toy)

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your baby isn't doing the things on the CDC's 6-month list, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason. Things on the 9-month list are still coming.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.
CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

What are some things you and your baby do together?
What are some things your baby likes to do?
Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 9 months page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents