Week 36: Tiny Teacher, Big Emotions
At 36 weeks — 8 months and 1 week — your baby is bursting with emotion, determination, and personality. They’re not just learning from you anymore — they’re teaching you. About who they are, what they like, and how they want to engage with the world.
This week brings an increase in emotional intensity. You might notice louder laughter, more vocal protests, and clingier cuddles. And you’ll see how your baby’s growing sense of self makes them eager to explore — but also keen to check in with you, their secure base.
Development
Your baby may now:
Stand while holding furniture and cruise confidently along it
Experiment with letting go — possibly standing briefly unassisted
Use the pincer grip (thumb and forefinger) more precisely
Display clear intentionality — reaching, pointing, and insisting
Social-emotional changes include:
Recognising familiar people vs. strangers
Reacting to your tone of voice (pausing when you say “no” or lighting up when you praise them)
Seeking comfort after frustration or surprise
Laughing at funny sounds, gestures, or games
They’re developing a sense of cause and consequence, and you’ll see this in play, communication, and behaviour.
Sleep
Sleep can be disrupted this week — often due to:
New motor skills (standing, cruising) being practised in the cot
Stronger separation awareness at bedtime
Teething or discomfort interfering with rest
You can support sleep by:
Offering a consistent pre-bed routine
Providing extra connection and calm in the lead-up to sleep
Responding promptly and gently during overnight wakes
If your baby is standing in the cot and unsure how to lie down again, offer help — this phase passes quickly with practice and reassurance.
Feeding
Feeding may shift in subtle ways:
Your baby may demand more independence at mealtimes
They’re likely chewing more effectively and exploring new textures
They might start offering food to you or the family dog — sharing is fun! (But stop this as it can lead to future issues)
Continue offering:
Finger foods in a variety of textures, colours, and flavours
Time to explore (yes, it gets messy!)
Breastmilk or formula feeds on demand — these still provide core nutrition and comfort
This stage isn’t about how much they eat — it’s about how confidently they explore food.
Play and Interaction
Your baby is more purposeful in play this week:
Banging, stacking, dropping, and posting objects
Initiating familiar games like peekaboo or “so big!”
Engaging in back-and-forth sounds or facial expressions
Pointing to objects or reaching to indicate preference
They’re beginning to understand shared attention — looking at something, then checking to see if you’re looking too. This is a huge developmental leap and the beginning of intentional communication.
Encourage this by:
Narrating what they see or do (“You dropped the cup!”)
Copying their sounds and gestures
Creating moments of joint focus — looking at the same toy, book, or bird outside the window
Top Tip of the Week
“Connection before correction: your baby’s emotions are real, even when their actions need gentle redirection.”
Real Life Reflections
You may feel like your baby has become more demanding, more vocal, or more sensitive — all of that is true. But it’s also a sign of their growing awareness of the world and their place in it.
You are their safe harbour. And you’re allowed to feel touched out, tired, or overrun some days. That doesn’t make you less of a gentle parent — it makes you human.
Take small moments to breathe. Let the house be messy. Let the food be simple. Let love be the constant.
Looking Ahead
Coming soon:
More deliberate gestures like pointing and waving
Early signs of pretend play
Standing unassisted for longer
Increased understanding of simple words and cues
Your baby’s body, brain, and heart are all growing. Stay close, stay steady, and enjoy the wild ride.
Further Reading:
Distraction and Breastfed Babies Around 9–10 months, babies often become more distracted during breastfeeding sessions due to developmental milestones like crawling and standing. This article explores how these changes can affect feeding patterns and offers strategies to maintain a strong breastfeeding relationship during this stage.
Infant Sleep Development Understand how significant developmental milestones, such as increased mobility, can disrupt sleep patterns in babies around 8–10 months. This piece delves into the reasons behind increased night waking and provides insights into supporting your baby's sleep during these transitions.
Biting and Breastfeeding! As babies begin teething, biting during breastfeeding can become a concern. This article discusses why biting occurs around 9–10 months and offers practical advice on how to manage and prevent it without disrupting the breastfeeding journey.
