Firstly, congratulations! Your baby is now more than halfway to their first year and is a bubbly 7-month-old cherub! You will find your 7 month old baby becoming more independent and mobile by the day and developing their unique personality.
Excited to learn more? Read on.
7 Month Old Development and Milestones: Is Your Baby on Track?
7 Month Old Baby: Physical Development
Your 7 month old baby will try to get around in their way. Every baby is different, so while some babies may start crawling, others may have just mastered rolling over.
Expect to see your little one creeping, scooting, rolling (front to back or back to front), crawling, or even combining all four movements, in the quest to grab out-of-reach objects.
Apart from that, your 7 month old baby can now support some or most of their weight on their legs and loves to bounce. They might even be able to stand while holding onto something!
Your baby is probably able to sit unsupported (although, don’t worry if they can’t yet); they may even get into a sitting position from lying on their stomach by pushing up their arms. Later this month, your baby will graduate to sitting without the support of their hands.
Speaking of hands, your baby is also getting much better at using them! Watch them enter this crucial stage of fine motor skills as they pass toys from hand to hand, drop them, and pick them up repeatedly. Your baby is also getting much better at holding and drinking from a cup and using a spoon.
They also use the raking grasp (wherein the baby will use all the fingers and the thumb to pick up objects from the ground or any other flat surface.)
Has your baby started clapping yet? Watch out for this super-cute milestone! This is also the month when your little one develops a full-colour vision.
Some babies start teething at this point. The two bottom central incisors are usually the first to arrive. Again, don’t worry if you can’t see any teeth yet. Some babies don’t start teething until they are over a year old.
At this stage, your child’s median length and weight* should be along this range:
- Boys
– Length: 69.0 cm (27.2 inches)
– Weight: 8.3 kg (18.3 lb)
- Girls
– Length: 67.3 cm (26.5 in)
– Weight: 7.9 kg (17.4 lb)
And your child’s head circumference* should be:
- Boys: 44.0 cm (17.3 inches)
- Girls: 42.8 cm (16.9 inches)
How to support your 7 month old’s physical development
- Considering how much your little one enjoys sitting unsupported, keep those cushions nearby in case they topple!
- Place a toy out of your baby’s reach to encourage movement, and watch them try to get it.
- With the baby becoming more mobile, it is time to do some serious babyproofing. Cover electrical plugs, and ensure that breakable or sharp objects are out of the baby’s reach. You might also want to consider gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
- Try not to rush in and help when your baby can’t do a task that they want to do. You will find that he becomes more independent if you don’t make everything too easy for them.
- Many babies cut their first teeth at this age, so don’t be surprised to find a drooling, extremely fussy baby. Try offering a cold washcloth or teething toy to chew on to soothe their discomfort.
Consult a doctor if your baby:
- Seems very stiff, with tight muscles.
- His head flops back when his body is pulled up to a sitting position.
- Does not actively reach for objects.
- Shows persistent tearing, eye drainage, or sensitivity to light.
Image Source: iStock
Cognitive Development
You will find that your 7 month old baby’s memory has improved significantly. They can now distinguish between people they know and don’t and may prefer to stay away from strangers.
The concept of object permanence is becoming clearer to your baby. They realise that people and objects might be out of view temporarily, but they still exist. This is why they suddenly love playing peekaboo!
As your baby’s brain develops, they start taking a greater interest in observing objects. Their ability to sort and group simple objects by size and shape will delight you! You will notice your baby exploring objects with their hands and mouth, so keep the soap and water handy!
Your baby also loves repetition and predictability, so they will never tire of repeatedly listening to the same rhymes, especially songs with associated actions.
As the little one starts showing more attachment to people and things, they might even start protesting loudly when you take toys and other things away.
How to promote your 7 month old’s brain development
- Toys containing different shapes help your baby develop motor and thinking skills. It’s a good time to introduce simple shape sorters. Your baby also loves games where people or things appear and disappear, like peekaboo and jack-in-the-box.
- Try to challenge your baby. Do not hand every toy to them, let them reach for it a little bit and practice their motor skills.
- Sing action rhymes to promote memory and listening skills. Try “This Little Piggy” and “Pat-A-Cake” or classic nursery rhymes you can act out together.
Consult a doctor if your baby:
- Shows no response and reaction to sounds.
- Seems to have trouble focusing on objects.
- Appears lost when looking around.
- Does not bring their hand to their mouth.
- Does not laugh or make squealing sounds.
Social and Emotional Development
You might notice that your 7 month old baby has started to experience separation anxiety. This is indicated by crying and clinging to you whenever you try to leave. You will notice that they get especially anxious if you are not around at night.
It may sound endearing that your baby can’t bear to be separated from you, but it might also get frustrating at times. Do remember that this is just a temporary phase and that this, too, shall pass.
By now, your baby can distinguish emotions by your tone of voice. And because the baby feels more secure being around all things familiar, stranger anxiety might be another concern.
Baby would usually much rather be in your safe arms around a stranger. Please don’t rush to hand them over to this new person. Allow your baby to warm up and get comfortable in their way.
How to nurture your 7 month old’s emotional development
- To deal with separation anxiety at this age, it is best to schedule your departures when the baby is already asleep.
- Keep your goodbyes short and sweet, and perhaps ask your caregiver to distract your baby with a toy or book until you’ve slipped out of the house.
Consult a doctor if your baby:
- Doesn’t seem to enjoy being around people.
- Shows no affection for the person who cares for them.
- It is inconsolable at night.
Speech and Language Development
Your 7 month old baby will communicate with you through sounds, gestures and facial expressions. You will get to hear plenty of laughing and squealing. They might also be able to wave bye-bye or blow kisses!
At this stage, some babies might repeat the sounds they hear. Your baby’s babbling will likely include chains of sounds, such as “ba-ba-ba” or “da-da-da”. So, don’t be surprised to hear an occasional “mama” or “dada.”
The little munchkin is slowly beginning to understand the meaning of language. They understand and respond when you say “No”. They can make out different tones and may burst into tears if you speak harshly.
Your baby responds with a head turn when they hear their name being called!
How to encourage your 7 month old’s speech and language development:
- Sing action rhymes to promote memory and listening skills. Try “This Little Piggy” and “Pat-A-Cake” or classic nursery rhymes you can act out together.
- It might be a one-way conversation but keep chatting with the little one! Your baby is listening to and registering every single thing you say and do.
- Read together –reading, talking about pictures in books and telling stories help develop your baby’s imagination and language skills.
Consult a doctor if your baby:
- Does not respond to sounds at all.
- Does not babble.
Health and Nutrition
By 7 months old, your baby can eat about three tablespoons of food per meal (three a day) and two snacks (around 1/2 cup) between their milk feedings.
Typically, the calorie intake for boys and girls of this age is as follows:
- Boys: 660.7 Kcal/day
- Girls: 625.1 Kcal/day
Their daily nutrition should be composed of the following:
One serving equals one to three tablespoons of lean meat, chicken, turkey or fish, four to five dry beans and peas, or one egg (or two quail eggs). This is, in total, 18.75g of protein. When giving your baby fish, check carefully for small bones and remove them.
Your child needs about 1/4 cup of fruit every day. 1/4 cup of fruit equals 1/4 of fresh, frozen, or canned fruit, half (1/8) cup of dried fruit, and 1/4 of a large pear. Give fresh fruit whenever possible, as dried and canned fruits have high sugar content.
At this stage, your child requires 1/4 cup (25g each) of vegetables daily. 1/4 cup of vegetables equals 1/4 cup of cooked vegetables, half a cup of raw leafy greens, 1/4 large tomato, or half a medium carrot. Try to give your child a “rainbow on a plate”, meaning fruits and vegetables of all colours.
Introduce up to 1 ounce of grains in your child’s meals. One ounce of grains is contained in one slice of bread, one cup of cereal, or half (1/2) cup of cooked pasta or cereal. Choose whole grains and limit refined grains such as white bread, pasta and rice.
Your child should drink a minimum of 700 to 1000mL of milk. Cow’s milk is not suitable for your child until they turn one year old.
In a nutshell, here’s what your child needs every day (refer above for what the amounts look like):
- Fruits: 1/4 for boys; 1/4 cups for girls
- Vegetables: 1/4 cups for boys; 1/4 cups for girls
- Grains: up to 1 ounce for boys; up to 1 ounce for girls
- Proteins: 18.75g for boys; 18.75g for girls
- Milk: 24-36 ounces of breast milk or 24 ounces of formula for boys; 24-36 ounces of breast milk or 24 ounces of formula for girls
- Water: Your baby needs anywhere between 2 to 8 ounces of water. The amount depends on factors such as how much milk your baby drinks, how hot the temperature is, whether your baby is constipated or not, and so on.
How to support your 7 month old baby’s nutrition
- If you are opting for traditional pureed foods, then remember to gradually decrease the time you puree these, increasing texture.
- If you are going down the baby-led weaning route, then offer age-appropriate finger foods. Some examples are bananas, soft crackers, noodles and “fingers” of soft-cooked/steamed veggies like carrots or sweet potato.
- Avoid foods with choking hazards, like grapes or nuts, and omit salt and sugar in your 7 month old baby’s meals.
- As always, try one new food at a time, and wait for a few days for any signs of allergy or reaction such as diarrhoea, vomiting, rash or wheezing.
- Ideally, you should still breastfeed your baby as your breast milk is nutrient-dense and high in natural dietary fat – essential for your little one to grow well.
- Honey is not suitable for babies under the age of one as there is a slight risk of contracting deadly botulism.
Asian baby biting banana toy on white background
Vaccinations and Common Illnesses
Your baby should have gotten the following vaccinations by now.
- BCG
- Hepatitis B (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
- DTaP (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
- IPV (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
- Hib (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (1st and 2nd dose)
To learn more about your child’s vaccination schedule, click here.
When it comes to common illnesses, your little one will inevitably get the common cold or even Hand, Foot and Mouth disease at some point. Tummy bugs might also be more frequent since your baby crawls and may often put objects in their mouth.
While you can’t prevent your baby from getting such illnesses, you can help them fight them off more effectively by continuing to breastfeed and giving food rich in nutrients, especially antioxidants.
If your child contracts a common illness, please don’t attempt to medicate your little one yourself. You should bring your baby to a paediatrician who will advise you on what to do.
However, you can ease a symptom like a blocked nose with saline drops and reduce your baby’s fever by applying lukewarm compresses to their forehead, armpits and groin.
Only give a fever medication approved by a doctor, and stick to the correct dosage and timings. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhoea, ensure they drink adequate liquids to prevent dehydration. If the vomiting and/or diarrhoea continue for more than a day, seek medical help.
Some reminders:
- Speak to a doctor about giving your baby the flu vaccination.
- Practice good hygiene habits at home, such as hand-washing before meals, after going to the washroom and after diaper changes.
- It’s normal for little ones to lose their appetite when sick. Don’t fret too much about this. But it is important for the baby to drink enough liquids to prevent dehydration. Try light broths, fresh orange juice, water, and breast milk/formula.
Consult a doctor if your baby:
- If your child is underweight or very small for their age.
- If your child breaks out in severe rashes or has swelling after eating a new type of food.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that these are just guidelines; all babies are different and will do things at their own pace and in their own time. Also, premature babies may reach milestones slightly later than a child who is born full-term.
Still, if you are concerned about your baby’s development, it is best to consult a paediatrician.
Activities for 7 Month Old Baby
Image Source: iStock
It’s hard to believe that a baby who just turned seven months old is already old enough to play with toys! It’s true, though. At this age, babies are starting to have better control of their bodies and can start interacting with the world around them in more ways than they could before.
Here are some activities you can do with your baby at seven months old:
This is a great way to help your baby learn new words and start using language. Speak clearly and slowly, so that the baby can hear it clearly. Then repeat the word or phrase until your child understands what it means.
It’s important to have fun with your child as you play together! Oftentimes, parents forget about this part of parenting because they’re busy trying to figure out how to get their baby to sleep or eat more than once per day (true story).
But playing is a great way for babies to learn about their environment, develop coordination skills, and build relationships with other people (like you!). Not only that—it’s fun!
Yes, your 7 month old baby still needs to do this every day.
Tummy time is an important developmental milestone for your baby. It helps them develop strength and stability in their neck, back, and shoulder muscles. As they get older, they’ll be able to roll over from tummy to back and back to tummy, which means that they’ll be able to sit without support by the time they’re about 10 months old.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of all that tummy time:
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- Make sure your baby has plenty of space so that she can move around freely while on her tummy.
- Play games with your baby while she’s on her tummy; try making noises or singing songs that encourage movement!
- You can also try different positions; try laying your baby down on her back or side (or even standing up!) while in a safe space where they won’t roll away or hurt themselves if they fall over accidentally
The coming months will see more developmental achievements. Celebrate and take pride in your little one’s triumphs.
*Disclaimer: This is the median length and weight, and head circumference according to WHO standards.
Your baby’s previous month: Baby development and milestones: your 6-month-old
Your baby’s next month : Baby development and milestones: your 8-month-old
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
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