The 7-month-old baby can already maintain good contact with other people through their eyes and begins to understand the meaning of “no”, through gestures made by their parents, or caregivers, with their fingers or head.
If the baby has not yet sat up alone, at this stage he will learn to sit without support and, if he has not yet started to crawl, he will be able to crawl and roll to reach toys or objects. Learn how to encourage your baby to crawl.
At 7 months, in addition to breast milk or infant formula, the baby’s diet should be supplemented with fruit porridge, which should be offered as morning and afternoon snacks, and “salty” porridge, prepared with cereals, proteins and vegetables. fresh, offered at lunch and dinner. See what a 7-month-old baby’s diet should be like.
It is important to highlight that each baby has its own rhythm of growth, sleep and feeding. Therefore, if there are doubts about the baby’s development, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.
Baby weight at 7 months
The following table indicates the baby’s weight range at 7 months, as well as other important parameters such as height, head circumference and monthly weight gain, according to the World Health Organization:
If the baby presents values above or below those indicated, it is recommended to consult the pediatrician so that the child’s development can be assessed.
Baby sleep
A 7-month-old baby sleeps an average of 14 hours a day, which are divided into 9 to 11 consecutive hours per night, and 2 to 3 naps during the day, lasting between 2 and 3 hours each.
At 7 months, babies tend to be very active and want to play and spend time with their parents or guardians, even at bedtime. However, it is important to establish a regular schedule so that the baby can have a peaceful night’s sleep, as they are important for the child’s growth, weight gain and immunity.
Many babies can sleep well throughout the night, while others may have a little difficulty sleeping for long hours or may even “change day for night”. In these cases, some suggestions to help the baby get a good night’s sleep are:
- Give the baby a warm bath;
- Tell a story or play low, calm music;
- Keep the baby’s room in soft light;
- Reduce noise in the house at bedtime;
- Do a massage.
Furthermore, if the baby wakes up very early, it is important to assess whether everything is ok by talking to the child in a low, calm voice. If everything is ok, it is recommended to rock the baby in the crib so that he or she sleeps a little longer.
Baby development
A 7-month-old baby can usually sit alone without support and can crawl, crawl or roll towards an object or toy. In addition, the baby is also beginning to explore more parts of its own body, such as the nose, ears and genital region.
At this stage, the baby maintains good contact with other people through their eyes and begins to understand the meaning of “no”, through gestures made by parents or caregivers, with their fingers or head. Furthermore, the baby also begins to make more sounds, forming syllables, such as “dá-dá”, “pá-pá” and “bababada”.
At 7 months, two more teeth may appear in the baby, which can cause irritation, decreased sleep, reduced appetite and, sometimes, fever in the child. To improve these discomforts, parents or guardians can massage the baby’s gums with their fingertips, for example. See other tips to alleviate the discomfort caused by the birth of baby teeth.
Baby feeding
According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, a 7-month-old baby’s diet should consist of fresh fruit porridge, which should be offered as morning and afternoon snacks, and 2 “salty” porridges, made with fresh vegetables, cereals, tubers , legumes and proteins, offered at lunch and dinner.
It is important to remember that food must complement breast milk, which must be offered on demand, that is, whenever the baby wants it, or infant formula. Find out other recommendations for feeding a 7-month-old baby.
The baby at 7 months also needs to drink 800 ml of water throughout the day, considering the water from breast milk, or infant formula, the water used in soups and broths, and pure water, which must be filtered or boiled. Find out how to give water to your 7-month-old baby.
Furthermore, it is also important to avoid some types of foods, such as gelatin, chocolate, salt and sugar, to avoid the formation of inappropriate eating habits that could contribute to diseases such as diabetes or obesity. See other foods that babies shouldn’t eat.
Games and toys for the baby
Games and toys for 7-month-old babies help stimulate curiosity, motor coordination, communication and language. Furthermore, games also help to create a positive bond between the child and their parents or guardians.
A good play option for a 7-month-old baby is to have him sit on a soft rug and place some cardboard boxes and lids near the child. Explain, showing, how to cover the boxes, and encourage the baby to do the same, letting him cover and uncover it alone.
In addition to games, some safe toys for 7-month-old babies are:
- Washable cloth animals;
- Toys with resistant material, so as not to fall apart when chewed;
- Toys at least 4 cm in diameter and 6 cm long;
- Horses or rocking chair, which can be used by babies who already sit without support and with a seat belt.
Furthermore, it is important to choose toys according to the recommendations regarding age range, to prevent the baby from choking on small parts, for example. See what to do to let your baby go.
