Babywise Sample Schedules: Eight Months Old

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Sample schedules for an 8 month old using the Babywise method. This is the 9th month of life. Baby schedules for 35-39 weeks old. Sample schedules for a 8-9 month old using the Babywise method. Get all of the information you need to baby’s naps, feedings, and night sleep.

This post tells you all about what to expect with your 8 month old Babywise baby. This is the ninth month of life and baby is 8 months old moving toward 9 months old. I will walk you through what to expect during this month, share what my kids did during this month, and share sample schedules from other Babywise babies from this month.

Babywise Baby Eight Month Old Overview

During this ninth month of baby’s life (from 35-38 weeks old), you can expect the following:

8 Month Old “Eat”

If your child has not started finger foods yet, work on that this month. Read up on Finger Food Basics here. 

That means you still have 4-5 liquid feedings and up to 3 solid feedings. Those solid feedings should happen WITH the liquid feedings. You might also have a snack or two.

8 Month Old “Wake” or Playtime

  • Your baby’s wake window should be 2 hours for your first two wake windows of the day. This will mean two hours awake and a two hour nap. If your child is low sleep needs, you might have a longer wake window and shorter nap. You might also have wake windows that are 2 hours 15 minutes or up to 3 hours between naps. Some will need less and some will need more; always follow your individual baby’s needs.
  • Independent play will be 30-60 minutes. As your baby gets more mobile, Independent Playtime length can start to extend some. Try extending your length of Independent Playtime as your baby can handle it. You might even start some blanket time. 
  • You can start to teach sign language to your baby if you haven’t already. This can be done at any point forward.
  • Get great toy ideas in this post Best Toys for Baby: Ages 7-9 Months Old.

>>>Read: How To Get Your Child To Play Happily Alone

8 Month Old Sleep

Your 8 month old will have 2-3 naps a day with most having 2 naps. The average age of dropping the third nap is 8 months old. There is a range; some babies will have dropped it before now and some won’t quite be ready yet. Read about dropping the 3rd nap here and about the impact dropping the third nap will have on your schedule here.

Naps should be 1.5-2.5 hours long. As you drop naps, you often need to have either longer naps at other points in the day or an earlier bedtime while your baby adjusts to the schedule change.

Your baby should continue to sleep 10-12 hours at night.

You might also have a sleep regression during this month. It is not uncommon for babies in the 5-8 month old range to start to have sleep issues for various reasons. If your 5 month old starts to have sleep troubles, be sure to read 11 Reasons Your 5-8 Month Old Stopped Sleeping Well.

The Babywise Mom Nap Guide

The Babywise Mom Nap Guide

The Babywise Mom Nap Guide eBook helps you establish successful naps from birth through the preschool years. It is a great resource!

Gary Ezzo, co-author of Preparation For Parenting and On Becoming Babywise, states: “Whether it is talking about establishing good nap behavior or offering solutions to sleep disruptions, this is a practical resource that I trust and recommend. The book is well laid out and answers just about every question a new or seasoned mom might have about babies, toddlers and sleep. We view this as more than a nap guided; it is a resource of encouragement that comes with compassion.”

Get Your Copy!

Language

At 8 months old, babies can understand a lot of what you are saying. Some can even say a word or a few words at this age. Sign language is an excellent way to communicate with babies in this age group. Read up on How To Teach Your Baby Sign Language here. 

Discipline

You might start to see that your little one needs some boundaries set. Do not be afraid to set boundaries with an 8 month old baby. Read this post on setting boundaries with babies for more on that.

>>>Read: Baby Playtime Activities By Age

8 Month Old Schedule Basics

Most babies in this month will have the following in their schedule:

  • Eat 4 times a day. There will be 4 liquid feedings (you might need a 5th if breastfeeding) and 3 meals with solid foods. You might also add in a snack. 
  • Should be able to feed self some finger foods. Your feedings with solid foods should happen at the same time as a liquid feeding. 
  • Have 2-3 naps a day. Most will move to 2 naps at this age range if haven’t already.
  • Sleep 10-12 hours at night.
  • Not have a Dreamfeed. There can be exceptions, but the vast majority of babies should be done with a dreamfeed. The exception would be if your baby needs 5 liquid feedings and needs a 4 hour schedule in a day.
  • Have Independent Playtime each day for 30-60 minutes. 

Need More Help?

New to Babywise? Read my post on How to Successfully Do On Becoming Babywise here

Babywise 8 Month Old Sample Schedules

Here are the sample schedules used by my Babywise babies for this age range.

35 Week Old Schedules

McKenna:
8:05 AM–wake, nurse, solids (prunes or peaches and oatmeal)
9:35-9:45 AM–nap
12:15 PM–wake, nurse, solids (green veggie and applesauce. Sometimes mix in blueberries)
2:00 PM–nap
4:30 PM–wake, nurse, solids (yellow veggie and bananas or pears)
6:30 PM–nap
7:45ish PM–wake, nurse, PJs, story, bed

>>>Read: McKenna Baby Summary: Week 35

Brinley:
8:30–nurse with solids (fruit, cereal, yogurt)
10:15–nap
12:30–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal)
2:30–nap
5:00–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal, finger foods) 
7:30–feed, then bedtime. In bed by 8:00.

>>>Read: Brinley Baby Summary: 35 Weeks {8 Months Old}

36 Week Old Schedules

McKenna:
I shifted her schedule back a bit to make mornings a little less hectic.

8:15 AM–wake, nurse, solids (prunes or peaches and oatmeal)
9:35-9:45 AM–nap
12:20 PM–wake, nurse, solids (green veggie and applesauce. Sometimes mix with blueberries).
2:00 PM–nap
4:30 PM–wake, nurse, solids (yellow veggie and bananas or pears). Finger foods.
6:30 PM–nap
7:45ish PM–wake, nurse, PJs, story, bed

>>>Read: McKenna Baby Summary: Week 36

Brinley:
8:45–nurse with solids (fruit, cereal, yogurt). Indepenedent Playtime happens in this block.
10:15–nap
12:45–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal)
2:30–nap
5:00–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal, finger foods) 
7:30–feed, then bedtime. In bed by 8:00.

>>>Read: Brinley Baby Summary: Week 36

37 Week Old Schedules

McKenna:
8:15 AM–wake, nurse, solids (prunes or peaches and oatmeal)
9:35-9:45 AM–nap
12:20 PM–wake, nurse, solids (green veggie and applesauce. Sometimes mix with blueberries).
2:00 PM–nap
4:30 PM–wake, nurse, solids (yellow veggie and bananas or pears).
5:30ish PM–dinner with family. Finger foods and what we are having.
6:30 PM–nap
7:45ish PM–wake, nurse, PJs, story, bed

>>>Read: McKenna Baby Summary: Week 37

Brinley:
8:45–nurse with solids (fruit, cereal, yogurt). Independent Playtime happens in this block.
10:15–nap
12:45–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal)
2:30–nap
5:00–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal, finger foods) 
7:30–feed, then bedtime. In bed by 8:00.

>>>Read: Brinley Baby Summary: 37 Weeks Old

38 Week Old Schedules

McKenna:
8:15 AM–wake, nurse, solids (prunes or peaches and oatmeal)
9:35-9:45 AM–nap
12:20 PM–wake, nurse, solids (green veggie and applesauce. Sometimes mix with blueberries).
2:00 PM–nap
4:30 PM–wake, nurse, solids (yellow veggie and bananas or pears).
5:30ish PM–dinner with family. Finger foods and what we are having.
6:30 PM–nap. Some nights, she stays up until 6:45-6:50. We are getting closer to dropping this nap.
7:45ish PM–wake, nurse, PJs, story, bed

>>>Read: McKenna Baby Summary: Week 38

Brinley
8:45–nurse with solids (fruit, cereal, yogurt). Independent Playtime happens in this block.
10:15–nap
12:45–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal)
2:30–nap
5:00–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal, finger foods) 
7:30–feed, then bedtime. In bed by 8:00.

>>>Read: Brinley Baby Summary: 38 Weeks Old

Babywise 8 month old schedule information

>>>Read Sample Schedules from our First Year here

39 WEEKS OLD

McKenna:

8:15 AM–wake, nurse, solids (prunes or peaches and oatmeal)
9:45-10:00 AM–nap
12:30 PM–wake, nurse, solids (green veggie and applesauce. Sometimes mix with blueberries).
2:10 PM–nap
4:30 PM–wake, nurse, solids (yellow veggie and bananas or pears).
5:30ish PM–dinner with family. Finger foods and what we are having.
6:45 PM–nap. Some nights, she stays up until 7:00. Since most of this week included this nap, I am including it in our schedule.
7:45ish PM–wake, nurse, PJs, story, bed

>>>Read: McKenna Baby Summary: Week 39

Brinley: 

8:45–nurse with solids (fruit, cereal, yogurt). Independent Playtime happens in this block.
10:15–nap
12:45–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal)
2:30–nap
5:00–nurse with solids (veggie, fruit, cereal, finger foods) 
7:30–feed, then bedtime. In bed by 8:00.

>>>Read: Brinley Baby Summary: 39 Weeks Old

Haven’t Started Babywise Yet?

Not doing Babywise yet? It isn’t too late. See my guide on how to start Babywise late here.

Reader Sample Babywise 8 Month Old Schedules

Here are some sample Babywise schedules used by Babywise moms and readers of this blog.

Kristin said…
8 month old:
6:30/7 am – wake up & eat (8oz)
7:30 – cereal with fruit
7:45 – independent playtime in pack-n-play or on the floor
8:30/9 am – nap
10/10:30 am – wake up – snack – finger foods and water/juice
11/11:30 am – lunch – veggie and fruit/yogurg
12 pm – nap
1:30 pm – wake-up
2 pm – bottle (8 oz)
2:30 pm – outdoor/indoor playtime
3:30 pm – catnap
4:30 pm – wake-up
5 pm – dinner (meat, veggie, fruit cereal)
6 pm – start bedtime routine with bath
6:30 pm – bottle (8 oz)
7:00 pm – bedtime

Katy said…
8 Months girl
7:30 – wake up, nurse, solids
9:20 – nap
11:20 – nurse, solids
1:30 – nap
3:30 – nurse
4:45 – solids
5:30 – finger foods at dinner
6:50 – nurse
7:30 – bed

Elizabeth said…
8 month old boy:6:00 – wake/play in bed
6:30 – nurse
6:45 – play with Mom (floor time)
7:15 – breakfast (baby oatmeal and banana or applesauce)
8:30 – nap
10:30 – wake/nurse
10:45 – play (Jumperoo)
11:00 – lunch (5 oz. solids, usually 2 different veggies, and puffs)
11:15 – play (usually more floor time)
12:30 – nap
2:30 – wake/nurse
2:45 – play
4:30 – nap
6:00 – wake
6:30 – nurse
6:45 – dinner (5 oz. solids)
7:00 – start bedtime routine (change to pj’s, read books, etc.)
7:30 – bedtime (sleeps all night)

Lonica said…
8-11 Months:
8:00 wake, nurse, breakfast
10:00 nap
12:00 wake, nurse, lunch
3:00 nap
5:00 wake, nurse
5:15 independent play time
6:00 dinner with family
8:00 nurse, bed

S. Davis said…
8 1/2 month old (girl):
7:00 wake and play in bed
7:30 solids (plain yogurt and fruit or cereal and fruit) and bottle (6 oz)
8:30-9:00 IP in playpen
9:00-10:00 floor time with mommy
10:00-12:00 nap
12:00 wake, solids (vegetables and fruit) and bottle (6 oz)
1:00-3:00 errands, playtime, and/or swimming
3:00-5:00 wake, solids (vegetables and fruit) and bottle (4 oz)
6:00-6:30 playtime
6:30 bath and playtime with daddy
7:15 bottle (8 oz)
7:30 story and bed

Val,
I moved the naps back a little because she just doesn’t seem tired after only 2 – 2 1/2 hours of wake time. But even now, she is playing in her crib for 30 minutes before falling asleep at the beginning of each nap. I am having to wake her to eat lunch and dinner, but I don’t think I should push her naps back anymore…I mean she is already going 4 1/2 to 5 hours between meals during the day. Do you have any suggestions for other adjustments I should make?

Thanks! And thanks for all the schedules; it really helps to see what other families are doing!

Rue said…
Eight months old
Dwt 7 
Nap 9:30-11:30
Nap 2-3:30
Bed by 7:15

Nurse after each wake up

Solids 30-45 m before sleep

Brittani said…

630 DWT
830-1030 nap
1-230 nap
630 bed
(Wake times 2/2.5/4)

Lauren said…
6:45 DWT
9:00-10:30 nap
1:30- 3:30 nap
7:00 bed

Lina said…
7 am- milk & purées
9-11 am- nap
12pm- milk & purées
1-3:30- nap
5- milk & purées
7:30- milk

Erica said…
7 DWT
9:30-11 nap
1:30-3 nap
7 bed

Macayla said…
8:10 wake up feed
1030-12 nap
12 wake and eat
300-430 nap
430 wake and eat
730 eat
8 sleep

Read the Whole Babywise Series

Babywise Sleep Solutions
On Becoming Pottywise
On Becoming Teenwise
On Becoming Preteenwise
On Becoming Childwise
On Becoming Preschoolwise
On Becoming Toddlerwise
On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise
On Becoming Babywise Book 2
Babywise Sleep Solutions
On Becoming Pottywise
On Becoming Teenwise
On Becoming Preteenwise
On Becoming Childwise
On Becoming Preschoolwise
On Becoming Toddlerwise
On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise
On Becoming Babywise Book 2

Our Baby Summary Posts

McKenna 8 Month Schedules and Summaries

Brinley 8 Month Schedules and Summaries

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This post first appeared on this blog in May of 2019

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4 thoughts on “Babywise Sample Schedules: Eight Months Old”

  1. Hi Valerie! Thank you so much for your posts, I have found them very helpful. 🙂

    My 8 month old LO is not sleeping long enough for naps during the day to stretch to a four-hour schedule! She is SO fussy by the time 2 hours comes around for her wake window that I have to lay her down for a nap. But she only sleeps for 1 – 1.5 hours. Her night sleep is now getting disrupted as well, with 2-3 wake-ups (and 1-2 feeds) per night. What is the best way to lengthen her daytime naps (I think the night wake-ups are from being overtired?)? Any other tips?

    Our schedule currently is:
    7:00 – DW time and breastfeed (but she has been waking earlier the past few weeks and crying (6:30ish)
    7:30 – solids (cereal & fruit, doesn’t usually eat much for solids here)
    8:30/9:00 – nap
    10:00 – usually wakes up on her own crying so we breastfeed
    10:30 – solids (scrambled eggs, fruit)
    12:00 – nap
    1:30 – wakes on her own (crying), breastfeed
    2:00 – solids (cereal & veggies)
    3:30 – nap
    4:30 – I wake her for this one (because bedtime is 6:30pm) and breastfeed
    5:00 -solids (cereal)
    6:15 – breastfeed & bedtime routine
    6:30 – in bed (falls asleep well on her own by 7pm)
    Night wakings – various times between 11pm & 5:30 am (never consistent). She does not take a soother and escalates if I go in to try and soothe her but Dad gets up eary for work so usually I end up feeding her at least once (if it a second time or close to 5am, I will only let her feed on one side). She is also currently teething, which isn’t helping.

    Thank you so much!!

    Reply

  2. Hi! I have a 8 month old and we just dropped the catnap. I’m breastfeeding her… how and when do you add the 5th feeding? Her schedule is
    7 am nurse, 8 solids, 9:15/30 nap, 10:45 nurse, 12 solids, 1:30 nap, 3 nurse, 5 solids, 6 nurse bedtime (just dropped catnap so bedtime is earlier).

    Reply

    • It looks like you are actually doing 6 feedings a day. You want to be doing nurse and then solids immediately, not 1-2 hours later. So you would
      7: Nurse/solids
      10:45: Nurse/solids
      3: Nurse/solids
      6: Nurse

      If you want to do 5 feedings in a day, you will need to feed every three hours OR do a dreamfeed if it doesn’t disrupt her sleep.
      7: Nurse/solids
      10: Nurse
      1:Nurse/solids
      4: Nurse/solids
      6:30: Nurse

      If she is fine on four feedings, I would stick with that and pump if you are wanting the fifth feeding out of supply concerns.

      Reply

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