Week 34 old
Week 34 (about 8 months): two solid naps, three meals plus milk, and a baby who's busy babbling and exploring. Here's what's typical.
In short
At 34 weeks (around 8 months), most babies nurse or take formula 4-5 times a day plus 2-3 meals of solids, sleep about 13-15 hours total, and are working on sitting steadily and picking up small objects.
🍼 Feeding
About 24-30 oz of breast milk or formula per day across 4-5 feeds, plus 2-3 small meals of solids (a few tablespoons each). Milk is still the main source of nutrition at this age.
😴 Sleep
Roughly 13-15 hours total: about 11-12 hours overnight plus 2-3 hours across 2 naps. Wake windows are typically around 2.5-3.5 hours. Always back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding, pillows, or bumpers.
What's happening this week
- •Around this age, many babies sit without support and may rock on hands and knees or start scooting.
- •Babbling often gets more varied now — strings like 'bababa' and 'dadada' are common, though they don't carry meaning yet.
- •Many babies this age can pass a toy from one hand to the other and rake small objects toward themselves.
- •Stranger awareness and separation reactions often pick up around now, which is a normal sign of attachment.
Milestones to keep in mind
- ✓These are ranges, not deadlines — your next CDC checkpoint is the 9-month checkup, where the focus includes sitting, babbling, and reaching for things.
- ✓By around the 9-month visit, many babies sit on their own, babble, and look for a toy that's hidden — but timing varies widely from baby to baby.
- ✓Crawling is common but not universal at this age; some babies skip it entirely, and that's okay.
- ✓If your baby was born early, milestones often track closer to their adjusted age.
Growth
💡 Tip for this week
Offer a variety of soft textures and let your baby self-feed safe finger foods — expect mess, and keep meals supervised and sitting upright to lower choking risk.
⚠️ When to call your pediatrician
Call your pediatrician if your baby isn't bearing any weight on their legs, isn't babbling or making sounds, doesn't respond to their name, shows no interest in people or toys, has fewer wet diapers than usual, or runs a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Frequently asked
How much should an 8-month-old eat?
Around 34 weeks, most babies take about 24-30 oz of breast milk or formula a day across 4-5 feeds, plus 2-3 small solid meals. Milk still provides most of their nutrition.
How many naps does a baby take at 34 weeks?
Most babies this age are on 2 naps a day, totaling about 2-3 hours, with roughly 2.5-3.5 hour wake windows in between and about 11-12 hours of sleep overnight.
Should my baby be crawling at 8 months?
Not necessarily. Crawling is common but not a required milestone at this age, and some babies scoot, roll, or skip crawling altogether. If you have concerns about movement, bring them up at the 9-month checkup.
Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 8 overview →
General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.