Seventh month
Movement
- Rolls both ways (front to back, back to front)
- Sits with, and then without, support of her hands
- Supports her whole weight on her legs
- Reaches with one hand
- Transfers object from hand to hand
- Uses raking grasp (not pincer)
- Develops full color vision
- Distance vision matures
- Ability to track moving objects matures
- Responds to own name
- Begins to respond to "no"
- Distinguishes emotions by tone of voice
- Responds to sound by making sounds
- Uses voice to express joy and displeasure
- Babbles chains of consonants
- Finds partially hidden object
- Explores with hands and mouth
- Struggles to get objects that are out of reach
- Enjoys social play
- Interested in mirror images
- Responds to other people's expressions of emotion
Because each baby develops in his own particular manner, it's impossible to tell exactly when or how your child will perfect a given skill. The developmental milestones will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect, but don't be alarmed if your own baby's development takes a slightly different course. Alert your pediatrician; however, if your baby displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.
- Seems very stiff with tight muscles
- Seems very floppy like a rag doll
- Head still flops back when body is pulled up to a sitting position
- Reaches with one hand only
- Refuses to cuddle
- Shows no affection for the person who cares for him
- Doesn't seem to enjoy being around people
- One or both eyes consistently turn in or out
- Persistent tearing, eye drainage or sensitivity to light
- Does not respond to sounds around him
- Has difficulty getting objects to his mouth
- Does not turn his head to locate sounds by 4 months
- Doesn't roll over in either direction (front to back or back to front) by 5 months
- Seems inconsolable at night after 5 months
- Doesn't smile spontaneously by 5 months
- Cannot sit with help by 6 months
- Does not laugh or make squealing sounds by 6 months
- Does not actively reach for objects by 6 to 7 months
- Doesn't follow objects with both eyes at near (1 foot) and far (6 feet) ranges by 7 months
- Does not bear some weight on legs by 7 months
- Does not try to attract attention through actions by 7 months
- Does not babble by 8 months
- Shows no interest in games of peekaboo by 8 months