Week 37 old
Week 37 (around 8.5 months): your baby is likely sitting steadily, eating real meals, and may be on the move. Here's what's typical now.
In short
At 37 weeks (about 8.5 months), many babies eat three solid meals plus 24-30 oz of breast milk or formula a day, sleep roughly 14 hours total, and are sitting and starting to crawl or scoot.
🍼 Feeding
Roughly 24-30 oz of breast milk or formula a day, plus about 3 solid meals (around 4-9 tablespoons of food total per day). Offer iron-rich foods and a variety of textures; milk stays the main nutrition source until 12 months.
😴 Sleep
About 13-14 hours total — usually 11-12 hours overnight plus 2 naps (around 2-3 hours of daytime sleep). Wake windows stretch to roughly 2.5-3.5 hours. Always place baby on the back in an empty crib.
What's happening this week
- •Around this age, many babies sit without support and reach for toys without toppling over.
- •Lots of babies are crawling, scooting, or rocking on hands and knees now, though plenty get moving a bit later.
- •Many are passing objects hand to hand and working on a thumb-and-finger pincer grasp.
- •Babbling often gets more conversational, with repeated sounds like 'mama,' 'dada,' and 'baba' that aren't yet linked to meaning.
- •Separation anxiety and wariness of strangers commonly ramp up around now — a sign your baby knows you well.
Milestones to keep in mind
- ✓By the 9-month checkup, the CDC looks for sitting without support, getting into a sitting position, and moving things between hands — your baby is right in that window.
- ✓Many babies look for a toy that's been hidden and respond to their own name around now, but the official check is at 9 months.
- ✓Stranger wariness and reaching to be picked up are common social signs in this range.
- ✓Babbling with strings of sounds is typical; a clear range exists, so don't worry about exact timing.
Growth
💡 Tip for this week
Now that baby is likely mobile, do a floor-level baby-proofing sweep: secure furniture to walls, cover outlets, and move small objects and cords out of reach.
⚠️ When to call your pediatrician
Call your pediatrician if your baby isn't bearing any weight on the legs when supported, isn't sitting with help, makes no babbling sounds, doesn't respond to their name, seems to lose skills they had, has fewer wet diapers, isn't gaining weight, or runs a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Frequently asked
How much should an 8.5-month-old eat?
Most babies this age drink about 24-30 oz of breast milk or formula daily plus three small solid meals. Breast milk or formula is still the main source of nutrition until around 12 months, with solids adding variety and iron.
Is it normal that my baby isn't crawling at 37 weeks?
Yes. Crawling has a wide normal range, and some babies scoot, roll, or skip crawling entirely before pulling up and walking. The 9-month checkup focuses on sitting and moving objects hand to hand — mention any concerns to your pediatrician.
Why is my baby suddenly clingy and afraid of strangers?
Separation anxiety and stranger wariness commonly peak around this age. It's a healthy sign your baby has formed a strong attachment to you and can tell familiar faces from new ones.
Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 9 overview →
General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.