What to Expect the First Year - 8 month old is 8th or 9th month??

[kristine_elen]

For those who have the book, can you explain this to me? I know it sounds silly, but is it a month ahead? I mean, a three-week old would be in his "first month" of life, right? But sometimes the way the book is worded makes it unclear to me. So, if I want to read about my 8-month-old, which month in book do I refer to? (Actually, this book kind of bugs me, but since I have it I do read it from time to time.)
Thanks!

[deborah_r]

I have the book, and I always take it as the 8th month would be the time from when the baby reaches 8 months, until he turns 9 months. So 8 months from his/her birth date to 9 months from his/her birth date.

I do get confused about that too, so I don't think it's a silly question.

[KMommie]

I agree that it's unclear! I read it that it's a month ahead. That first month is from 0-4 weeks period (it talks about what to expect at the 2 or 4 week checkup with the ped), so then the second month must be 5-8 weeks, and so on. This book also kind of bugs me, so I actually haven't read it for several weeks, but since you reminded me of it, maybe I'll take a quick read tonight. :)

Jeannie
mommy to Kiki 4/18/03

[kristine_elen]

Thanks for the reply. So, you're saying if I want to read about my 8-month-old son I would go to "the eighth month"? A baby who was 6 weeks old would be in "the first month" -- so how about a 2 week old? Or is that supposed to be covered in the "newborn" part? Weird. I know we're not supposed to get hung up on milestones and all that anyway, but it seems like if that's how they're going to break down the book, they would make it clear. I appreciate your help.

[colleenfs]

The day your baby turns 8 months old, he begins his 9th month of life. So you do read one month ahead.

HTH-
Colleen
Mama to Julia 1-10-02

[deborah_r]

I think 6 weeks would be "The Second Month" and then they also have a Surviving the First 6 Weeks, if I remember correctly.

[kransden]

If your baby is over 8 months old but under 9mos, you read the 8 mos section. If you read further months ahead, it will say something like "pulling up - 8 mos 3 weeks". At least that is what I remember. :)

Karin
Katie 10/24/02

[kristine_elen]

All these different responses simply reinforce my position that this book is totally unclear! I just tried emailing one of the authors via Parenting magazine, where she is a contributing editor. We'll see if there is a reply. If so, I will post it.

[egoldber]

I don't have my copy of "WTE The First Year" handy, but here is a quote from "WTE the Toddler Years":

"The thirteenth month begins when a child is 12 months old and ends when he or she is 13 months old."

This info is in a footnote on the first page of the very first chapter.

So you are, in a sense, reading a month ahead. This makes sense, at least to me, because the "first month" begins when a baby is born and ends when they are 1 month old. If your baby has already had their 8 month birthday, then read the chapter titled "The Ninth Month".

HTH,

[kristine_elen]

THANK YOU!

[slknight]

Thank you! That's exactly what I thought, but DH and I did not agree on this. Alex turns 4 months tomorrow, so "The Fifth Month" would be applicable.

Susan and Alex (04.18.03)

[egoldber]

No problem!!

[egoldber]

Just testing something, please ignore me!

[Karenn]

Beth,
Your "something" looks absolutely adorable! :) I love the little ears!

[kransden]

Beth, what a cute picture! What are the ears for?
Karin
Katie 10/24/02

[egoldber]

We had a Tigger themed birthday party for her and those are Tigger ears. You can't see them very well though. :(