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Your baby: 8 months

Stay home, dad!
One generation ago the idea of a stay-at-home father was foreign; two generations back it was unthinkable. While daytime dads are still a minority in Canada (13 percent in 2007), the number rises every year.
 
Often, men stay at home to look after their children for sheer economics; if your partner has a higher income, it makes good financial sense for you to stay home. And while you may find the experience incredibly rewarding, you may also find it a little isolating. Why not connect with other dads on our message boards?
 
Four on the floor
There's no way to predict when your baby's going to start crawling, though most start creeping on all fours sometime between seven and nine months. Others bypass the crawling stage altogether, advancing from sitting to pulling themselves up to walking. Sometimes babies' first attempts to crawl are inspired by lunging for a toy that's just beyond their reach — try it and see! From backwards to sideways to commando style, learn all about the when, how and why of crawling.
 
This is a good time for you to get down on your own hands and knees to seek out potential hazards — before your newly-mobile baby finds them first.
 
Bring back the romance
Feel like it’s been forever since you had a long talk with your partner, let alone felt the desire to get intimate? This romantic connection between partners is something so easily lost in the hustle and bustle of parenting. But it’s also something easy to get back if you put a little effort into it.
 
Tips from the trenches
“Sometimes, you just have to wing it.” – Jennifer, mom of two
 
Good Question! Should I worry about cleaning my baby’s teeth?
Two brushings a day keep the dentist away! Though his baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, it's very important to take good care of baby teeth and to have them checked regularly by the dentist (The Canadian Dental Association recommends children visit the dentist within six months of getting their first tooth, or by one year old). Not only can cavities in those pearly whites cause pain, fever, and infection, but they can also adversely affect the development of his permanent teeth.
 
Did you know?
Babies love music. Perhaps you've already discovered that singing can help your baby fall asleep, or that a dance around the kitchen to your favourite songs can bring a smile to his face. But what you may not realize is that singing to your baby also helps him develop language, whether it’s country, pop, or rock and roll. Get some suggestions for baby favourites from other parents on our boards!

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