Week 34: Conversations Without Words
At 34 weeks — just shy of eight months — your baby is a communicator. They might not be speaking yet, but they're definitely talking to you. Through gestures, babble, facial expressions, and body movements, they’re building the foundation of language and connection — and it’s a beautiful two-way street.
This week is about shared meaning. You’re not just interpreting your baby’s cues anymore — you’re responding, and they’re responding back. Welcome to the world of pre-verbal conversation.
Development
Your baby might be:
Babbling strings of sounds (ba-da-ga-ma) in a conversational tone
Making clear requests through gestures (arms up, reaching, pointing)
Using different cries or sounds for different needs
Responding to familiar words like “no,” “up,” or their own name
You may also notice:
Stronger memory of people and places
Reactions to music, rhythms, or familiar songs
Social games like peekaboo or “where’s your nose?” becoming interactive
Your baby is building the early architecture for speech, but more importantly, they’re learning how communication works — turn-taking, emotion-sharing, and connection through sound and gesture.
Sleep
Sleep may stabilise a little this week — or not! It depends on your baby’s temperament, environment, and recent developmental changes.
What’s common:
Longer awake periods during the day
Consolidating to two naps
Moving more in sleep, especially if crawling or pulling to stand
What helps:
Predictable daily rhythm (not rigid timing, but familiar flow)
A calm, connected wind-down routine
Offering comfort at night without pressure for baby to self-soothe
Remember, emotional development affects sleep. A baby learning about separation may seek more closeness overnight — that’s normal, not a problem.
Feeding
Feeding continues to be a hands-on, sensory experience:
Your baby might enjoy feeding themselves more and refuse spoon-feeding
They’re likely chewing better, handling thicker textures or mashed foods
Some start experimenting with new tastes or mimic your expressions
You might notice more:
Food on the floor
Food in their hair
Food squished gleefully into the highchair tray
All part of the learning process! Breastmilk or formula still does the heavy lifting nutritionally, but shared mealtimes build trust, skill, and connection.
Play and Interaction
Play this week is incredibly social:
Your baby loves imitation games — clapping, waving, nodding, blowing raspberries
They enjoy call-and-response babble (you say “ba,” they say “ba”)
They begin to explore emotional mimicry — copying your smile or laugh
Offer:
Face-to-face play
Mirrors
Toys with parts to open, close, press, or spin
Books with flaps, textures, or familiar routines (“bath book,” “goodnight book”)
Every interaction is a lesson in how relationships work. And you are their safest, most rewarding playmate.
Top Tip of the Week
“Your baby is talking — even without words. Listen with your eyes, your ears, and your heart.”
Real Life Reflections
Some days it feels like your baby is growing so fast. Other days are a loop of crumbs, naps, nappy changes, and sticky kisses.
You might feel like you haven’t had an adult conversation in days. But the little conversations you are having — those silly faces, those repeated sounds, those giggles — they’re building something extraordinary.
You’re helping your baby feel seen, heard, and valued. That’s no small thing.
Looking Ahead
In the weeks ahead, you might see:
More expressive gestures (shaking head, reaching toward desired things)
Stronger attachment behaviours
Greater physical confidence and faster crawling
First signs of separation anxiety
The emotional world is expanding. Keep showing them it’s safe to feel, safe to explore, and safe to come back to you.
Further Reading:
Distraction and Breastfed Babies Around 9 months, babies may show disinterest in breastfeeding, which can be mistaken for self-weaning. This article explores how teething and developmental changes can affect feeding behaviors and offers guidance on navigating this phase.
Why Toddlers Wake in the Night Understand the various factors that contribute to night waking in older babies and toddlers, including developmental milestones and teething. This article provides reassurance and strategies for managing disrupted sleep patterns.
Baby-Led Weaning: Keep It Simple Explore how baby-led weaning can be a straightforward approach to introducing solids, allowing your baby to explore family foods at their own pace.
