Baby Care: First Year

Lesson 4: Stages: Growth and Development

Seven to Nine Months

During these months, your baby is becoming more active. She reaches out to explore and play. Make sure that she has a safe play area. Now that she can sit, bounce her on your knee while you sing to her. Bounce her from one knee to the other, let her slide down your legs, raise her up, and lean from side to side. Get your busy baby's attention with a puppet or stuffed animal show. Do voices. Portray different emotions. Be creative. Add toys to her bath. Plastic cups are versatile toys that float when empty and sink when full. Pat the water. Splash. Have fun!

Remember that her favorite thing to do is to learn by watching you and helping you do your regular activities. This is how she learns to be a person. If she is fussy and nothing seems to work, she may be trying to tell you that she needs this learning interaction. Try carrying her while you do the chores. As she grows and gets heavier, but still wants to be held, try switching to a backpack. This gives her an exciting viewpoint.

Monthly Milestones

Seven Months: She gets into a sitting position, sits without support, and pivots while sitting. She rocks when on her hands and knees. She rolls from back to stomach. She can briefly bear her weight on her feet. She holds an object in each hand, and may bang them together. She can clasp her hands. She makes consonant sounds and may combine sounds. (See pages 460 to 474 in The Baby Book for more information on your baby's sixth to ninth months.)

Eight Months: She pivots her body while lying on her stomach. She may crawl by pushing backward, or she may scoot on her bottom. She can drop and throw objects. She uses her thumb and forefinger to grasp objects. She can chew and bite. She immitates your mouth movements. She responds to her name, and may show fear of strangers. (See pages 460 to 474 in The Baby Book for more information on your baby's sixth to ninth months.)

Nine Months: She sits well. She tries to crawl, pulls up on furniture, and may sit down after standing. She can put objects in a container and take them out. She may shout to get attention, and she may point. She doesn't want to share toys. She reacts to the word, "no." (See pages 460 to 474 in The Baby Book for more information on your baby's sixth to ninth months.)

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