Source: bing.comAs your baby hits the 7-month mark, you might be wondering what milestones they should be reaching. Every baby develops at their own pace, but there are some general milestones you can look out for. Here’s a checklist of what to expect in your 7-month-old baby’s development.
Table of Contents
Gross Motor Skills
At 7 months old, your baby may be able to:
- Crawl or scoot backwards
- Sit up without assistance
- Pull themselves up to standing position
- Roll from front to back and back to front
Fine Motor Skills
Your 7-month-old baby might be able to:
- Grasp objects between their thumb and index finger
- Transfer objects from one hand to the other
- Bang objects together
- Pick up small items with their fingers
- Begin to use a pincer grasp
Cognitive Development
In terms of cognitive development, your 7-month-old baby may be able to:
- Understand object permanence – they know that an object still exists even when it is out of sight
- Respond to their name and voice
- Recognize familiar faces
- Show interest in new toys and objects
Communication Skills
By 7 months old, your baby may be able to:
- Babble in a repetitive way, like “babababa”
- Use their voice to express feelings like happiness, excitement, and frustration
- Respond to your facial expressions and tone of voice
- Make sounds when they are happy, sad, or tired
Social and Emotional Development
At 7 months old, your baby might:
- Recognize familiar faces and smile at them
- React to other people’s emotions, like crying when someone else cries
- Show anxiety around unfamiliar people or situations
- Enjoy playing social games like peekaboo
Sleep
By 7 months old, your baby may be sleeping for longer stretches at night, and taking shorter naps during the day. They may also be able to put themselves back to sleep if they wake up during the night.
Feeding
Your 7-month-old baby may be eating a variety of solid foods, and may be able to drink from a sippy cup or straw. They may also be showing signs of readiness for self-feeding, like reaching for food and putting it in their mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source: bing.comHow can I encourage my 7-month-old baby’s development?
You can encourage your 7-month-old baby’s development by giving them plenty of time to play and explore. Offer them a variety of toys and objects to interact with, and give them opportunities to move and practice their motor skills. Talk to your baby often, read to them, and sing to them. Spend time playing social games with your baby, like peekaboo and tickling.
What if my 7-month-old baby isn’t reaching these milestones?
Every baby develops at their own pace, so don’t panic if your baby isn’t hitting every milestone on this checklist. However, if you are concerned about your baby’s development, talk to your pediatrician. They can assess your baby’s development and offer advice on how to support their growth and progress.
How much should my 7-month-old baby be sleeping?
Every baby is different, but by 7 months old, your baby may be sleeping for 10-12 hours at night, with one or two naps during the day. However, this can vary widely from baby to baby. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and adjust their sleep schedule as needed.
What are some good solid foods to offer my 7-month-old baby?
Some good solid foods to offer your 7-month-old baby include mashed or pureed fruits and vegetables, well-cooked and mashed meat, and mashed or pureed legumes. You can also offer soft, cooked grains like oatmeal and rice, and small amounts of dairy like yogurt and cheese.
How can I tell if my 7-month-old baby is ready for self-feeding?
Your 7-month-old baby may be showing signs of readiness for self-feeding if they are reaching for food and putting it in their mouth, and if they are interested in grabbing utensils and practicing using them. You can start by offering soft, easy-to-grasp finger foods like steamed vegetables and small pieces of fruit, and letting your baby explore and practice feeding themselves.