Baby is on the move. Repeat, Baby is on the move. Well, if not now, then soon. She hasn’t quite reached toddler-levels of mobility and mayhem yet, but once crawling starts, many parents are surprised by how much their low-to-the-ground creepers can reach. Whether Baby is crawling, creeping, scooting, rolling, or even hopping, she is able to move further and faster every day.
Even babies who don’t get anxious about being separated from their parents though often don’t wander too far away when they’re first starting to explore the world on their own. You may notice that while Baby explores new or familiar areas, she will still turn and “check back in” with you, or make sure you’re watching the amazing things she is seeing. This is a sign of Baby’s secure attachment to you, even as she starts to stretch her wings – or legs – and explores the world.
Another of the big, exciting things 7-month-olds have to explore, besides the living room, the local park, and the abilities of her own body, is food. By now, Baby is probably eating some pureed solids, and even a little safe, easy-to-eat finger foods, though a significant amount of her nutrition probably still comes from breast milk or formula. Introducing your little one to solids can be a messy adventure, but it should be a fun one, as well, so try not to take it too personally if Baby isn’t always as enthusiastic about your cooking as you might hope.
Milestones
- Drinks from a cup with help: It seems crazy that Baby would get her hydration the same way you do, but around the 7-month mark or a bit later, many babies are ready to start drinking out of a cup with some help. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends switching all babies from the bottle to the cup by the 1-year mark.
- Plays peekaboo: Some do it later, some earlier, but about now is when many babies might start actively engaging in peekaboo. Peekaboo is an all-time top-3 game, so it’s only natural that Baby gets a real kick out of it…you did too when you were her age!
- Can self-feed from finger foods: You might not know if this is possible if you’ve been sticking with the mushy stuff exclusively, but many babies at this time are curious and coordinated enough to be able to feed themselves finger foods. Try some noodles or Cheerios to get started.
