Baby 8-9 months favourites

@marina
@marinaAug 21, 2026

The things that actually earned their place between 8 and 9 months.

8-9 monthsbaby

Toys

We ended up with far more toys than this. These are the ones that were actually played with. Between them they cover the three things that actually held her attention at this stage: something to mouth, something that makes a noise when she does something, and something with weight and texture that isn't plastic.

The Inspector Lovevery Kit
The picture cards were the standout, most of them ended up chewed. The stacking cups got used more in the bath than out of it and she loved knocking them over.
Lovevery
tickit Sensory Stainless Steel Balls
All three make their own satisfying sound - rattled, or knocked against each other. Light enough for her to hold, and genuinely beautiful colours.
Amazon UK
alilo Smarty Bunny Rattle

alilo Smarty Bunny Rattle

This one keeps migrating from one monthly favourite to the next. It rattles, sings, and is apparently very nice to chew. Our best car and pram toy - it holds her attention longer than anything else.
Amazon UK
Leapfrog cuddly pup

Leapfrog cuddly pup

Technically for older babies, but she was ready for it early. You programme it with your baby's name, so it sings and talks to her directly - and there are enough songs that we haven't got sick of them yet.
Amazon UK

Music

This was the month music became something she does rather than something happening around her. Two instruments she can actually play at 8 months, plus the one song that we played every day.

A-Star Pre-tuned Hand Drum

A-Star Pre-tuned Hand Drum

Her first proper instrument. She understood what to do with it faster than we expected and watching her drum was super adorable.
Normans Musical Instruments
Shakira, Burna Boy - Dai Dai (Official Video)
We've started putting songs on for her, and this is the one she responds to. She pulls up on the TV stand and dances to it hand turning side to side, little sit-ups. The rare song that doesn't wear thin for us after the hundredth play.
YouTube
Early Learning Centre Singing Maracas

Early Learning Centre Singing Maracas

A pair with different personalities: one rattles, the other has a soft noise that changes when you close its mouth. She lights up whenever she finds them lying around.
elc.co.uk

Hot days favourites

A warm summer and a baby who'd just started moving. This is what we actually reached for: shade she couldn't crawl out of, shallow water, and lighter clothes now the sleepsuit era is over.

Mini Beach Tent Pop Up - Navy Dot

Mini Beach Tent Pop Up - Navy Dot

Perfect for the garden on warmer days - big enough to sit inside with her, and the older two liked it just as much.
Konges Sløjd®
Liewood -Sea Creature Paddling Pool

Liewood -Sea Creature Paddling Pool

Another well-designed garden and beach toy - shallow, good shade coverage, and easy to inflate even without a pump.
childrensalon.com
Beaufort Bonnet - Worth Avenue White

Beaufort Bonnet - Worth Avenue White

I'll be honest: this is my favourite, not hers. She takes it off within few minutes. But it stays on long enough for the compliments, and she looks so sweet in it, so it keeps coming out.
The Beaufort Bonnet Company
Outdoor Picnic Blanket

Outdoor Picnic Blanket

One of the cheaper things here, but the gingham makes it look far more expensive than it is. It gets thrown down in the garden constantly and comes with us everywhere, including one McDonald's drive-through picnic with the older two.
Amazon UK
Pink Floral Unicorn Short Pyjamas

Pink Floral Unicorn Short Pyjamas

She's too big and too mobile for zip-up sleepsuits now, so these were the replacement. They've quietly become everyday clothes too, the prints are fun and the material is nice and comfy.
next.co.uk
Cath Kidston Playsuit

Cath Kidston Playsuit

A really cute little romper that we were for slightly more special outings this month.
next.co.uk

Home

Crawling and pulling up changed how the house works. The bath setup she'd used since newborn stopped fitting her, and every sharp corner suddenly sat at head height. These are the swaps we made.

Non Slip Anti Mould

Non Slip Anti Mould

The swim trainer ring stopped working this month: too big for it, moving across the bath too quickly, and starting to try to climb out. We swapped to a shallow bath she can crawl around in instead, with this mat on the bottom for grip.
Amazon UK
Bath Seat

Bath Seat

We replaced our swimming ring and a newborn lying down bath with this one. Its sturdy and inoffensive. I use it at the end of the bath session to give her hair a proper wash.
Amazon UK
Corner Protection and Edge Protection

Corner Protection and Edge Protection

She's pulling herself up on anything that will hold her weight, which means that these had to go up.
Amazon UK