Your baby's growth and development - 7 months old

At 7 months old, your baby is becoming stronger and more curious.

Every baby develops at their own pace. They may sit on their own for short periods of time and roll in both directions — from tummy to back and from back to tummy. They may also begin to understand simple words.

Your baby will likely be eating solids at 7 months old. Offer a range of foods with a texture that suits their development. Breast milk or formula should continue while different types of solids are gradually introduced.

Your baby may be chewing, holding a bottle or putting food in their mouth.

At 7 months old, your baby is growing steadily, but usually not as fast as in the early months.

While every baby grows at their own pace, some babies grow a little faster and others grow more slowly.

Your baby's weight and length will be checked at regular health checks. These measurements are compared with standard growth charts to check that your baby is growing steadily.

Every baby develops at their own pace, however there are things that babies and children are generally expected to be doing at each age. These are called 'milestones'.

Physical development

At 7 months old, your baby is stronger and moves with more control.

Many babies can roll both ways and sit on their own for short periods. Place cushions around them for a soft landing in case they fall.

Your baby may pass toys from one hand to the other and use their fingers and thumb to start to pick up small things. They enjoy touching, holding and exploring objects with their hands.

They may also make early crawling movements.

Cognitive development

Your baby is learning how things work and is curious about their surroundings. They may explore objects with their mouth. Make sure small objects are kept out of reach to avoid choking.

They may also:

• try to turn pages in a book
• explore toys by banging or shaking them
• enjoy games like peek-a-boo

Social development

Your baby is more aware of people and places. They may turn when you say their name and smile or make sounds when looking in a mirror.

They often prefer familiar people at 7 months old and may feel unsure around strangers. They may look to you for comfort and reassurance.

Over the next month or 2, your baby may also:

• react with excitement when they see another baby or young child
• smile or show excitement when they see you prepare food or run a bath
• stretch out their arms to be picked up

Emotional development

Over the next month or 2, your baby may begin to seem more settled in their eating and sleeping patterns. They can laugh and giggle out loud, especially during play.

They may need to 'check in' with you, using their voice or by looking for you. This is a normal part of emotional development.

At this age, some babies may cry when you leave the room. This is known as separation anxiety. When you respond and soothe them, your baby usually settles easily.

Language development

At 7 months old, your baby is using more sounds to communicate. They may cry to show needs like hunger, tiredness or wanting comfort.

They may also make new sounds, such as:

• squeals
• growls
• blowing 'raspberries'

As your baby settles into a daily routine, they are often awake more during the day. This gives you more time to interact and bond with them.

Talk and listen to your baby. Use different tones and facial expressions and respond to the sounds they make.

When your baby is around unfamiliar people, your reassurance can help them feel safe and secure.

Play with your baby by:

• reading books together
• singing songs
• making funny or playful sounds
• playing with toys

By 7 months old, many babies enjoy tummy time more and can stay on their tummy for longer. Tummy time helps build strength for rolling, sitting and early movement. Try short periods that add up to at least 30 minutes a day. Always stay with your baby during tummy time and place them on their back for sleep.

Talk to your doctor or maternal child health nurse if your baby:

• does not respond to familiar faces or show interest in interacting with people
• is not starting to make sounds or vocalise
• is not trying to roll when playing on the floor
• is not exploring with their hands or feet
• is not holding or passing objects between their hands
• seems very uncomfortable during teething

At any age, it's important to speak to your doctor if your baby has stopped doing something they had already learned to do. This is sometimes called 'regression'.

Read more about common worries and fears for parents.

If you are worried or would like to discuss any issues with your baby's development, speak to your doctor or maternal child health nurse.

You can also reach out to these support groups:

• The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority has information about your child's development from 4 to 8 months old.
• The Australian Breastfeeding Association has information about weight gain and growth patterns in breastfed babies.
• Children's Health — Queensland Hospital and Health Service has a fact sheet on development skills and activities from 4 to 8 months old.
• Tresillian has information on baby milestones and development.
• Child Health Info has a child development guide from birth up to 12 months old.