Week 31: Standing Tall (Almost)
At 31 weeks — nearly eight months old — your baby may be on the verge of one of their most exciting transitions: vertical exploration. Whether they’re pulling to stand, testing their balance, or simply rising up on hands and knees to rock, this week is all about elevation — physically, emotionally, and developmentally.
You’ll likely see a confident, cheeky baby who wants to move, grab, climb, and do it themselves. And in the next breath? A baby who melts into your arms for comfort. This push and pull between independence and connection is the foundation of secure attachment — and it’s unfolding beautifully.
Development
Physical milestones are front and centre:
Pulling up to stand using furniture, legs, or your hands
Rocking on hands and knees or taking first crawling strides
Transferring objects easily between hands
Banging toys together or stacking them loosely
These new motor skills bring more intentional play. Your baby may:
Grab a specific toy they want
Drop and retrieve an object repeatedly
Start exploring cause and effect with real purpose (“If I push this, it rolls!”)
Social and emotional awareness is growing too:
They may look for your reaction after doing something
React to praise with pride or laughter
Show signs of recognising simple phrases or tone (“All done!” or “Let’s go!”)
Sleep
Sleep at this stage can vary widely. Some babies are:
Settling into longer naps (2–3 per day)
Sleeping longer stretches at night — though not all
Waking briefly, then returning to sleep independently
Others may:
Wake more often due to motor practice (standing, crawling)
Experience sleep regression due to cognitive leaps or teething
Need extra cuddles to resettle — especially if working on new skills
Your gentle rhythm still matters more than any schedule. Babies thrive with predictable, responsive care — even when sleep is unpredictable.
Feeding
Feeding continues to be joyful, messy, and highly sensory.
Your baby might:
Feed themselves finger foods more confidently
Show stronger preferences for textures and flavours
Begin “chewing” motions more effectively
Try to drink from an open cup or straw with assistance
Breastmilk or formula remains the main source of nutrition — solid foods are still an exploration of taste, texture, and independence. Offer a variety, and let your baby guide the pace.
Remember: choking and gagging are different. Gagging is common, especially with new foods, and usually resolves quickly without intervention.
Play and Interaction
Play this week is more:
Purposeful: your baby knows what they want and tries to get it
Social: they seek your reactions and join in shared games
Physical: they climb, reach, stretch, bounce, and move continuously
Your baby may love:
Mirrors — for practicing facial expressions
Stacking toys or containers
Hide-and-find games with cloths or boxes
Copying simple actions like clapping, banging, or shaking
Talk to them throughout the day. Narrate what’s happening. Respond to their babble. You’re not just chatting — you’re building brain connections, one joyful moment at a time.
Top Tip of the Week
“You don’t need to teach your baby everything — just offer safe space, loving connection, and time to explore.”
Real Life Reflections
This can be a physically demanding stage. Your baby may want up and down and up again. They might climb on you, cling to your legs, or cry when you walk away.
You’re allowed to feel tired. You’re allowed to need breaks. It doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re deeply involved in the work of early parenting.
Find moments to rest, however small. Lower your expectations where you can. This season is full of joy — and full-on.
You’re doing beautifully.
Looking Ahead
Soon your baby may:
Crawl with more speed and purpose
Cruise along furniture
Wave, clap, or sign with meaning
Show stronger emotions and clearer preferences
The world is growing — but so is their sense of self. And that’s something worth standing tall about.
Further Reading:
The Problem of Baby Food Explore the environmental and nutritional concerns associated with commercial baby foods, and consider how baby-led weaning offers a sustainable alternative by incorporating family foods into your baby's diet.
The Misleading Myth of Sleep Regressions Understand the developmental reasons behind changes in your baby's sleep patterns and why these shifts are often mischaracterized as regressions.
Mythbusters: Babywearing Facts Versus Fiction Debunk common misconceptions about babywearing, including concerns about safety and dependency, and learn how carrying your baby supports their development and your bonding experience.
