- Your baby may show off their increased mobility by crawling, scooting, or moving around.
- Your baby’s palate continues to evolve as solids are introduced.
- Little ones may now recognise and respond to more emotional cues, particularly with familiar faces.
- At 7 months, your baby may love to babble, mimic, and practise their language skills with you!
Your Baby's 7 Month Developmental Milestones
Key points
At the 7 month mark, your baby is continuing to discover many exciting things about themselves and the world around them! It can be helpful to think of this time as a period of transition. Not only is your baby building on the physical skills they developed at 6 months old, but you may notice their social skills beginning to bloom or their memory starting to improve.
Many milestones await you and your baby as they continue to grow and explore every day. This may look like; sitting up unassisted or exploring more solid foods in addition to breastfeeding. This guide will help you spot all the fun moments in this journey as you navigate the 7 month old milestones with your little one.
As your baby is over 6 months old, it is recommended you introduce solid foods into their diet. This step should only be taken if your little one has shown signs they are ready to eat solids, such as an interest in eating foods, greater head and neck control, as well as a bigger appetite.
7 months old is a great time for your little one to discover new tastes and textures, as they embark on their food discovery journey. It is also a great time to introduce common allergy-causing foods to help prevent the development of allergies before their first birthday. Only introduce one food at a time and carefully monitor your little one after the meal to identify a reaction as needed.
Breast milk is still a major source of nutrients for your baby during this period which will support their development over the months to come. Feeding sessions continue to play an important role and at this age, babies tend to feed about every 3 to 4 hours during the day. Breast milk should also always come before offering solids to ensure your little one is getting the nutrients they need most at this age.
Now that your baby is likely to be showing more interest in food you can continue to try new things. Babies at this age don't need a huge bowl of food, three times a day, but it's important to remember every bite counts.
Whether you are traditionally spoon-feeding your baby or using the baby-led weaning method (BLW), be sure to offer a range of whole foods such as vegetables, meat (iron-rich red meat is ideal), and fruits. A combination of milk-feeding and solids can work together to maximise the nutritional benefits for your little one and pave the road towards independent eating.
By your baby’s 7 month mark, they will have begun experimenting with small amounts of solid foods in addition to breast milk. Keep in mind that these first few months of solid foods are meant to complement, not replace, breastfeeding.
One way to introduce solids into your little one’s diet is by offering a small amount after a mid-morning or lunchtime feed. A good starting point would be a spoonful or two of vegetable puree or a soft-cooked vegetable stick (BLW) and gauge their reaction.
Remember, pulling a funny face doesn't mean they automatically don't like the food and you need to avoid it. All foods are new and taste very different to (breast)milk (or milk feeds).
At this age, your baby is still fairly new to chewing and swallowing. Extremely soft finger foods are recommended at this stage. To test what texture is safe to eat, try using your tongue to mash the food to the roof of your mouth, if it can be done easily, you can offer this to your baby. If you find it difficult, it is recommended to cook longer.
Here are some common foods for 7 month olds:
- Legumes.
- Bread, iron-fortified cereal, or oatmeal.
- Mashed, ripe, or strained fruit such as applesauce, pears, and peaches.
- Mashed or pureed vegetables.
- Well-cooked meats like beef and lamb that are rich in protein, iron, and zinc.
Note: Meat strips are great for sucking, and whilst your baby won't be able to chew them, there is a lot of nutrition in the juice including iron.
- Fish with the bones removed.
You’ll want to avoid hard foods such as apple chunks, nuts, raw carrots, celery sticks, and seeds that pose an easy choking hazard. Babies at this age should also avoid unpasteurised dairy, cow’s milk, or honey due to the risk of contamination during the production process.
At 7 months, you may notice that your baby is becoming more mobile and more curious by the day. Their appetite may grow as they become increasingly active. Paired with their developing hand-eye coordination, this can signal some fun, messy food adventures! By this age, many babies may be able to pass objects between their hands. This is a skill you might see them practising at mealtimes, and you may want to lay out some cloth or canvas under their highchair to catch any spills.
The most important thing, however, is to follow your baby’s lead. If they show signs of increased hunger, you can see how they respond to a small amount of extra solids. If they don’t like something, it’s okay to try again later. Your baby is experiencing many new flavours and sensations so they may show interest in some foods they initially disliked, further down the track. Encouraging your baby to experiment with their growing palate is a beautiful way to create memories together and support their development.
Keep an eye out for any allergies but most of all, encourage your baby to keep discovering their likes and dislikes through the world of food.
If you have any concerns about your little one’s diet, speak to your GP or Child and Family Health nurse. Paediatricians need a referral from your GP.
At this stage, your baby’s sleeping routine may have begun to settle into a more consistent pattern. Most babies may begin to experience their longest sleep during the night - an exciting development for many parents! You might find that your baby is ready for bed sometime between 6pm and 10pm, but this will vary depending on their individual needs. Some parents may find that their baby falls asleep within 40 minutes but it is common for other babies to take longer. At this age, babies might have 2 to 4 hours of daytime sleep and up to 12 hours at night.
One way to encourage your baby to maintain consistent sleeping patterns is to practise regular bedtimes. Settling them earlier may also help before your baby becomes overtired and finds it more difficult to fall asleep.
However, it is also quite normal for their sleep cycle to shift, as developments such as teething[1] and separation anxiety begin to appear. Babies at this age can also learn to keep themselves awake if something catches their interest. Light, noise, and even a keen desire to practise their developing crawling skills might inspire an early morning play session.
While sleep cycles tend to last longer by the 7 month mark, don’t worry if your baby still wakes up during the night. Some babies may do this 3 or 4 times a night, but this is natural as they slowly settle into regular sleeping habits. If they wake up, use their preferred settling routines to help them get back to sleep.
If you are concerned that they are waking a little too much or struggling to fall asleep, this is a good time to contact your GP or Child and Family Health nurse to seek professional advice.
Sleep safety
Your baby is likely enjoying their improving abilities to crawl and move around at this age. Safety always comes first though, and it is important to keep an eye out for your little one’s sleep safety.
Maintain safe sleeping practices such as:
● Keeping the cot free of any objects like toys or blankets.
● Putting your baby down to sleep on their back.
● Swaddling with their hands out.
● Checking that your baby’s head and face are always uncovered.
● No smoking in the house.
7 months marks an exciting period of change where you and your baby can enjoy numerous milestones together. As they continue to develop their perceptive senses and fine motor skills, babies tend to become increasingly active and curious to explore their surroundings.
Milestones are a helpful way to track your baby’s development, but it is important to remember that many also grow at their own pace. There is much to look forward to so keep an eye out for the following.
Physical
At 7 months, your baby’s physical capabilities are rapidly improving. You might see them pick things up with one hand, drag objects towards them, and transfer objects from one hand to the other. Banging objects together and putting them in their mouths are other ways your baby might explore their developing coordination.
Beyond increased motor skills, your baby may reach other physical milestones such as:
● Focusing eyes on near, far, and quickly moving objects.
● Rolling over easily in both directions.
● Sitting upright without additional support.
● Supporting some weight on their legs.
● Bouncing with additional support.
● Crawling, scooting, creeping.
● Beginning to pull themselves up into a standing position.
Touch is an important sensation during this period, as your baby may want to play with different textures and surfaces around your home as a way to indulge their blooming curiosity. Babies may also love exploring new sensations by putting things in their mouths. This is the perfect time to double-check your little one’s environment, and baby-proof your house if it isn’t already.
Cognitive
In terms of cognitive development, memory is one of the skills that may improve noticeably for your baby during this time. By 7 months, you may find your baby is capable of:
● Finding partially hidden objects.
● Looking for dropped items.
● Reaching for objects that are just out of their range.
High-visual impact toys like jack-in-the-boxes and colourful picture books are a wonderful way to entertain and develop your baby’s cognitive abilities. This helps lay a solid foundation for your little one to enjoy reading and writing in the future.
Emotional
At 7 months, your baby’s emotional growth may be a noticeable highlight at this age. Look out for some of the following signals:
● Recognising and responding to others’ facial expressions.
● Expressing happiness with laughter.
● Showing irritation by screaming.
Your baby may form strong emotional attachments to family members and other familiar people at this age and you may notice signs like separation anxiety and a wariness of strangers.
During these times, offer extra comfort and consider letting others know your little one doesn't want to be held right now. It's okay to advocate for your child when they are in a new situation and you may find it helps them get over the initial separation period quicker if they know their primary caregiver is right there.
Ensuring they have their favourite stuffed animals, toys, or blanket can help bring an additional sense of comfort. When you do have to leave, start with short periods away before increasing the time. Familiarisation with a new environment and/or person before heading out can be very helpful.
Taking gradual, encouraging steps will help your baby feel more confident to explore the world around them. If your child is struggling with severe and long-lasting separation anxiety, however, contact your GP or Child and Family Health nurse and seek professional advice.
Communication
By this time, your baby may be learning various ways to communicate their needs and connect with the people around them.
Your baby may show signs of:
● Babbling.
● Responding to their name.
● Copying sounds and mimicking others.
● Expressing positive and negative emotions with their voice and facial expressions.
● Getting your attention by making sounds.
● Following simple instructions paired with gestures.
Your little one may respond well to conversation and music. Encourage their language development by singing songs, speaking with them regularly, and describing their environment when you are together. This will also help to develop their imagination.
Social
The desire for connection and engagement for your baby may appear through increasing interest in social interactions.
At 7 months, they may:
● Enjoy playing with their reflection.
● Pay attention to conversations.
● Recognise and interact positively with familiar faces.
Regular interactions will help your baby build and navigate different types of relationships.
Milestones to monitor
While all babies develop at their own pace, consult a Child and Family Health nurse or your doctor if your child:
● Has difficulty expressing emotions.
● Shows little or no response to familiar faces, voices, or sounds.
● Can’t babble or make sounds.
● Doesn’t make eye contact or track moving objects with their eyes.
● Is unable to stand or sit upright without assistance.
● Struggles to roll over in either direction.
● Relies heavily on using one hand over the other.
● Appears to be particularly stiff or floppy.
If you think you have a reason to be concerned about your child's development, speak to your GP or Child and Family Health nurse.
Playtime is your baby’s training ground for all the new and exciting skills they are developing. At 7 months, babies enjoy predictability and mirroring the people around them. This is a great time to bond with your baby by playing repetitive games, songs, and activities together, which may help refine their physical, cognitive, and motor skills. Storytelling and music are also wonderful ways to support your little one’s blooming imagination.
Encourage your baby’s learning journey by:
● Reading books with colourful illustrations while naming items as you point at them.
● Singing, talking, and describing your surroundings to your baby.
● Narrating daily activities aloud when you are together.
● Introducing stacking toys with increasing levels of difficulty.
● Playing repetitive games like peek-a-boo and patty-cake.
● Letting them play with other children.
You can also build your baby’s fine motor skills through playtime with simple toys, so long as there is adult supervision to secure their well-being. Always provide adult supervision during these sessions to minimise the risk of choking incidents.
After each game or playful interaction, remember to praise your little one! They respond well to compliments, and celebrating your child’s development will encourage them on their learning journey. Enjoy this precious time bonding with your little one, and watch as they discover more about themselves and the world around them with each passing day.
At 7 months, your baby may continue with any wellness checkups remaining from the 6 month mark. This can include general health checks, where you may follow up with any teething progress or check in with your baby’s growth and physical development.
No particular immunisations are required at this age. However, if your little one does fall sick, or you are concerned for their health, contact your GP or Child and Family Health nurse to seek advice.
Safety
By 7 months your little one is continuing to take small, baby steps towards independence. They may be crawling and rolling about more than before, and they are brimming with curiosity for the world around them. This is a wonderful time of discovery and your little one. They may love to play on the floor and explore their surroundings using any combination of their hands, mouth, and ever-improving coordination skills. Sensible hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before and after eating, remain important for your baby’s health. That said, you don’t have to worry too much about maintaining an extremely clean and spotless environment for your baby. Their immune system is still developing and exposing them to a range of microorganisms, will help them fight infection faster and more easily in the future.
At 7 months, sleep safety remains a crucial element of your baby’s well-being and may help to prevent sudden infant death. Whether you settle them down for a daytime nap or a longer sleep at night, remember to always:
● Place your baby on their back.
● Ensure your baby’s face and head remain uncovered, with any head accessories removed.
● Check that your baby’s feet are at the bottom of their bassinet or cot.
● Keep your baby and their surroundings smoke-free.
● Maintain a safe sleeping environment with a safe cot, bedding, mattress, and sleeping bag that meets Australian standards.
When it comes to travel, car safety is important to practise with your little one for every single journey. Make sure that your baby’s car restraint is:
● Appropriate for their age, height, and weight according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
● Complying with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754, and is labelled so with a product sticker and package labelling.
● Ideally rear-facing with an inbuilt harness.
● Securely installed and fastened to the back car seat, ideally on either side of the car or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
● Adjust to fit your baby’s size correctly. For example, shoulder straps are just below or at the level of the baby's shoulders when rear-facing, which ensures straps can’t be pinched between fingers.
● All extra padded clothing is removed from your baby before securing. I.e. no puffer jackets, sleep sacks, blankets, or bulky items under straps. However, blankets can be placed over your baby if needed after the straps are secured and correctly tightened.
Other car safety measures include:
● Never leave your baby unattended in the car, no matter how briefly.
● Avoid leaving your baby asleep in a car seat, or where their chin rests on their chest, for long periods of time to prevent any issues with their airway.
● Take care to prevent your baby from overheating. Babies tend to overheat quickly, so even in cooler temperatures, travelling in cars can become too hot for them. During car trips, they may only need a lightweight nightdress or singlet.
● Avoid long car journeys during hot weather.
● Secure your baby in a car restraint for every single journey.
Self-care tips for parents
As a parent with a fast-growing baby, it is easy to forget that you also need some care, love and support. This is true for all families. Remember that this adventure is more like a marathon than a sprint, so take as much time as you need. At this stage, it is important to celebrate not only your baby’s 7 month milestones but your own milestones as parents as well. Practising healthy self-care habits now can also help set a good example for your child as they look to you as a figure of guidance.
Investing in self-care will vastly improve your self-esteem and well-being. This can look like anything from a nice cup of tea to a well-deserved spa day. There are many ways you can nurture yourself, and here are some ideas to get you feeling like yourself again:
● Staying hydrated.
● Eating a balanced diet.
● Getting daily exercise, whether through light stretching, social team sports, or classes.
● Connecting with friends and family.
● Picking up new or old hobbies.
● Enjoying nature through outdoor walks and activities.
It is important to recognise that both birthing and non-birthing parents may be affected by postnatal depression. Feeling blue, due to hormonal changes, is a natural process when it comes to having a baby. However, if these emotions persist beyond 2 weeks and are making it difficult to live your daily life it may be time to pause, take a deep breath, and check in with yourself.
Some symptoms of postnatal depression may look like:
● Developing a fear of going outside.
● Losing interest in activities or hobbies you used to enjoy.
● Feeling deeply anxious, scared, and overwhelmed.
● Fearing being left alone with your baby.
● Experiencing low moods for long periods.
● Noticing physical changes such as dramatic shifts in appetite or sleeping problems.
Parenthood is a massive, life-changing event, especially if you are embarking on this adventure for the first time, and postnatal depression is more common than many think. Recognising any potential signs of this in yourself and your loved ones early on and seeking professional help is key.
If you or your partner are showing signs of postnatal depression, there is a wide range of help and services that offer professional support. You can reach out to your GP, Child and Family Health nurse, or helplines such as the Australian Perinatal Anxiety & Depression (PANDA) Helpline, or the New Zealand Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa, and many more.
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Our team of nutritionists, dietitians and midwives at Careline are healthcare professionals with big hearts. Specialising in infant and child health, they offer parents and carers, free nutrition, feeding and product advice and lots of moral support. Contact our Careline Experts by phone, LiveChat or email.
Always consult your doctor, midwife or healthcare professional for advice about feeding your baby.
Every feeding journey is unique
Not every parent can breastfeed. Not every parent can produce breast milk. No matter what choice you make, we will support your unique feeding journey.
We at Nutricia believe in providing the best nutrition for babies, which is why we recognise breast milk as uniquely superior for babies, it provides many benefits. It is important that mums have a healthy diet to support breastfeeding. A decision not to breastfeed, or partial bottle feed, may reduce breast milk supply making it difficult to reverse. The cost and social implications of using feeding methods should be considered. Always seek professional for advice about feeding your baby. Ensure formula is used as directed as improper use can affect baby’s health.
Please note: These articles are meant to give you a general sense of the growth and development of your newborn baby. However, it’s important to remember that every baby grows and develops at their own pace. This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak to your healthcare professional about any concern you have concerning your child.
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New South Wales Health. Botulism [Internet]. [cited 2024 February 1]. Available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/botulism.aspx
National Allergy Strategy. Feeding your baby: How to introduce common allergy-causing foods [Internet]. [cited 2024 February 1]. Available from: https://preventallergies.org.au/feeding-your-baby/how-to-introduce-common-allergy-causing-foods/
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