And just like that, your baby is 7 months old and already more than halfway to his first birthday! Gone are the days where you could introduce him to strangers without much of a fuss—you may find he’s clingier than you’re used to and doesn’t like to be separated from you. 7 months also marks a more mobile and inquisitive time—say goodbye to letting him play quietly in one spot while you go about your day. Baby proofing the house becomes a must at this stage if you haven’t already. Pro tip: get on your hands and knees to see things from the baby’s vantage point to make your home as safe as possible for your little one.

Infant Development: Your Baby From 7⁠ to ⁠9 Months

Fostering an environment that encourages safe, age-appropriate learning and play is vital for your infant’s development.

The Joys of Exploration (and How to Do It Safely!)

Baby is on the move! Around this age, they might scoot, crawl, or roll to get from point A to point B and it will be fun to witness. Make sure to babyproof sharp corners and cabinets within reach (especially ones with toxic cleaners or other chemicals), secure furniture, cover electrical outlets, and use a baby gate to block off stairs.

At this age, your baby will sit on their own, reach for toys (and other objects they shouldn’t grab, like your dangly earrings or the kitty cat’s tail!) and want to explore the world. All things colorful and textured will capture their attention as their eyesight continues to improve.

Around 8 months old, your baby will start to comprehend object permanence—meaning if you hide a toy under a blanket, he will know to look for it. He may even try to pull the toy out of its hiding place! Another exciting thing to look out for is when baby passes a toy from one hand to the other. What a beautiful display of hand-eye coordination! Make sure to not leave small objects around as baby’s ability to pick them up and put them in his mouth is improving.

Is It Normal for My Baby to Cry Around Strangers?

Your in-laws or beloved babysitter used to come over all the time with no protests from your infant. But now your 7-month-old cries and screams when you try to do the hand off—and you’re starting to wonder if date night will ever be possible again.

Sound familiar?

Around this time, your baby may start to display anxiety or wariness of strangers. As distressing as this is (for both you and baby,) this is actually a normal part of their development!

You may be wondering, but why now?

Because your 7-month-old is now able to recognize faces. And they strongly prefer their parents’ or caregivers’ faces over anyone else’s.

Anxiety around strangers is common and expected in children this age. (It’s common through age 2!) This is not a sign of emotional issues. It’s part of your child’s cognitive development—and a normal part, at that!

Here are some tips for dealing with stranger anxiety:

Allow your baby to meet strangers in a safe and familiar environment, such as your own home. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure.
Hold and comfort your baby when introducing them to someone new.
Act friendly and calm. This sends a message to your baby that the person they’re meeting is safe and trustworthy.
Distance yourself temporarily from a visitor if your baby becomes upset around them. Comfort and soothe your baby and when they’ve calmed down, you can try the introduction again by engaging in an activity together.
If you’re going somewhere unfamiliar where you’ll be around a lot of new people, bring a transitional object such as a favorite toy or blanket to offer extra comfort.

Infant Development: Milestones From 7 to 9 Months

According to the CDC, there are a few milestones to watch out for at this age:

Social/Emotional Checklist:

May display anxiety or fear around strangers and be clingy with adults they know
Has favorite toys

Language/Communication Checklist:

Understands what the word “no” means
Babbles with varying sounds
Points to things
Copies the gestures or sounds others’ make

Movement and Physical Development Checklist:

Stands up by themselves while holding on to something
Pulls themselves up to stand
Sits down by themselves without support
Crawls

Cognitive Checklist:

Able to track an object
After seeing you hide something, looks for it
Plays peek-a-boo
Can transfer an object from one hand to the other
Picks things up between index finger and thumb

What You Can Do to Encourage Healthy Development in Your 7 to 9-Month-Old

Encourage Crawling

Play and movement continues to be vital for your baby’s development. Continue to do supervised tummy time, and position toys out of reach so he’s encouraged to army crawl or creep toward them.

Babyproof Your Home

Children are naturally curious, and as your child becomes more mobile, it’s important to keep him safe. You’ll want to encourage exploration in an environment that is properly babyproofed. He’ll be tempted to explore and get into just about everything, so creating a safe environment free from choking hazards and other dangers is key.

Explore Cause and Effect

Your baby’s confidence will grow as he discovers he has an influence on his environment. Build a short tower of blocks and then push it over. Play with toys together to show your baby that his actions can cause a reaction.

Read Often

Reading aloud for a few minutes every day is an effective way to positively influence your baby’s language development. Use sound effects, make facial expressions, and read from colorful picture books to keep your child engaged.

Keep Talking

Narrate parts of your day to your baby! Say something and then give him time to respond by repeating sounds. Ask him questions. Even though he isn’t using words to respond back to you, the imitation of a back-and-forth conversation is crucial for his language development.

Don’t have a 7-month-old yet? Don’t miss the post on infants from 0 to 6 months!

References

(2021, October). Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-9mo.html
Bielecki, C. (2019, October). Baby Growth and Development: 4-7 Month Milestones. Parents. https://www.parents.com/baby/development/growth/4-7month-milestones/?slide=slide_596033b9-b18b-4905-aa79-c02590b1ab64#slide_596033b9-b18b-4905-aa79-c02590b1ab64
Parents’ Guide to Crawling. Pathways.org. https://pathways.org/watch/parents-guide-to-crawling/
(2020, June). Infant development: Milestones From 7 to 9 Months. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/infant-development/art-20047086
Bowers, E. (2014, July). 10 Ways to promote baby development. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/your-developing-baby/ways-to-promote-baby-development/