Sense by Meg Faure Episode: 8-Month Mover with Julia Da Silva Introduction Meg Faure: Welcome back to another episode of Sense by Meg Faure! This week, weÕre diving into the world of little Aurelia, who has just turned eight months old. SheÕs on the brink of some exciting milestones, so join me as I chat with her mum, Julia Da Silva. Today, weÕll be discussing: AureliaÕs early attempts at crawling and standing Why crawling is a crucial milestone for cognitive development Sleep, teething, and soothing techniques How probiotics can help after a tummy bug Separation anxiety at this stage JuliaÕs experience of traveling with two energetic little ones If youÕre looking for developmental tips, sleep solutions, or just want to catch up with Julia and AureliaÕs journey, this episode is packed with useful insights! Welcoming Back Julia Bailey Georgiades (Intro): Welcome to Sense by Meg Faure, the podcast brought to you by ParentSenseÑthe app that takes the guesswork out of parenting. Each week, Meg Faure, a well- known OT, infant specialist, and author of eight parenting books, chats with new mums and dads about their challenges, wins, and questions. Meg Faure: Welcome back, Julia! WeÕve been tracking AureliaÕs journey over the past months. SheÕs growing so fast! Thank you for joining us again. Julia Da Silva: Thanks, Meg! ItÕs funnyÑI was lying awake last night thinking about the first time I saw your Instagram story that led me to reach out to you. That was eight months ago, but I remember it so vividly. Meg Faure: Wow! ItÕs amazing how this journey has unfolded. YouÕll look back and cherish these conversations as a diary of AureliaÕs first year. Julia Da Silva: Absolutely! When I listen back to the episodes, I realize how much IÕve already forgotten. ItÕs such a great record. AureliaÕs Movement Milestones Meg Faure: WhatÕs happening in AureliaÕs world now that sheÕs eight months old? Julia Da Silva: SheÕs moving so much! We canÕt put her down anywhere except the floor because sheÕs rolling and shifting so quickly. SheÕs thinking about crawlingÑshe pushes forward from a sitting position but hasnÕt quite mastered getting onto all fours yet. She also loves standing with support and bouncing up and down on our laps. Meg Faure: Crawling is such an interesting milestone! Some babies skip it entirely, while others crawl as early as seven months or as late as 11 months. And there are so many different styles of crawling! Has she tried moving sideways yet? ThatÕs often how babies start transitioning into a crawling position. Julia Da Silva: Yes! She twists her body when reaching for things, especially if I place toys behind her. Meg Faure: ThatÕs fantastic! A great way to encourage crawling is by placing toys just out of reach to her side. That forces her to put one hand down, shift her weight, and naturally move into a crawling position. Tummy time is also key for strengthening those muscles. Why Crawling Matters Meg Faure: Crawling isnÕt just about movementÑitÕs crucial for spatial reasoning and cognitive development. It teaches babies about navigating space, which lays the foundation for skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and even art! Crawling also strengthens the small intrinsic muscles in the hands, which later help with fine motor skills like writing and playing musical instruments. Plus, it helps develop the brainÕs corpus callosum, which improves communication between the left and right hemispheresÑimportant for language, problem- solving, and coordination. Julia Da Silva: ThatÕs so interesting! I had no idea crawling was connected to all of that. Meg Faure: Yes! ThatÕs why it was shocking when the American Academy of Pediatrics removed crawling from the milestone checklist. Instead of addressing why some babies were skipping it (due to too much time in baby seats, prams, and walkers), they just removed it from the chart! But crawling is incredibly important, so I always encourage parents to help their babies develop this skill. Sleep & Teething Challenges Meg Faure: HowÕs sleep going? Julia Da Silva: SheÕs doing pretty well. Some nights she sleeps through, but most of the time, she wakes between 3:30 and 4:30 AM. IÕve been giving her water instead of milk, and that usually helps her settle back to sleep. She wakes up for the day around 6 AM. Meg Faure: That sounds perfect for this age! Is she still taking three naps, or has she dropped to two? Julia Da Silva: SheÕs mostly on two naps now. Some days, her morning nap is short, and she takes a long afternoon nap. Managing bedtime can be tricky when that happens, but overall, she handles it well. Meg Faure: That transition to two naps is a big milestone. And howÕs teething going? Julia Da Silva: She cut her first tooth on Sunday! I wasnÕt sure at first because sheÕs been grizzly on and off for months, but suddenlyÑthere it was! Meg Faure: ThatÕs wonderful! Some babies struggle with teething, while others sail through it. Since she had a tummy bug recently and teething can also affect digestion, IÕd suggest giving her a probiotic to support her gut health. Julia Da Silva: ThatÕs a great idea! I have one I should start giving her. Separation Anxiety Begins Julia Da Silva: I think separation anxiety is creeping in. The other night, she had a false start at bedtime, and she wouldnÕt settle unless she could see me. She kept looking over to check if I was still there. Meg Faure: ThatÕs classic for this age! Around 8-10 months, babies start to understand that you are separate from them, which leads to separation anxiety. The key is to reassure them while also helping them learn that youÕll always come back. Peekaboo games and hide-and-seek activities are great for reinforcing object permanence. Also, always say goodbye when leaving and hello when you returnÑ sneaking away can actually make anxiety worse. Julia Da Silva: That makes so much sense! IÕll keep that in mind. Family Travel & Special Moments Julia Da Silva: WeÕve been on holiday recently, and it was so special to spend uninterrupted time with Aurelia and Santi. Watching them bond has been heartwarmingÑSanti is so sweet with her! Meg Faure: ThatÕs beautiful! A three-year age gap is ideal for sibling bonding. Plus, an involved dad makes a big difference in preventing sibling rivalry. Julia Da Silva: Yes! And next week, Aurelia is going on her first flight as we take a short family trip. IÕm really looking forward to it! Meg Faure: ThatÕs wonderful! YouÕre doing an amazing job, Julia. I love following AureliaÕs journey and canÕt wait to see whatÕs next! Julia Da Silva: Thanks, Meg! Catch up soon. Meg Faure: Thanks for joining us, everyone! See you next week. DonÕt forget to download the ParentSense app to take the guesswork out of parenting!