Send to a Friend   Printer Friendly     

Milestones by the End of the 7th Month


Movement

  • Rolls both ways (back to front, front to back)
  • Sits with, then without, support of hands
  • Reaches with one hand
  • Transfers objects from hand to hand


Sight, Sound, and Speech

  • Develops full color vision and better distance vision
  • Improves at tracking moving objects
  • Responds to her name
  • Starts responding to "no"
  • Distinguishes emotions by tone of voice
  • Uses her voice to express emotion
  • Responds to sounds by making sounds


Social/Emotional

  • Enjoys social play
  • Responds to other people's expression of emotion
  • Interested in mirror images


Cognitive

  • Finds a partially hidden object  
  • Explores with hands and mouth
  • Struggles to get objects that are out of reach


Watch List

Remember that each baby develops at her own pace, and you can't predict when your baby will master a particular skill. Call your baby's health care provider if you notice any of the following signs of developmental delay between 5 and 8 months:

  • Seems very stiff, with tight muscles
  • Appears floppy, like a rag doll
  • Her head still flops back when you pull her to a sitting position
  • She only reaches with one hand
  • She refuses to cuddle
  • Shows no affection for the person who cares for her
  • Doesn't enjoy being around people
  • One or both eyes always turn in or out
  • Eyes tear persistently or are sensitive to light
  • No response to sounds around her
  • Trouble getting objects to her mouth
  • Doesn't turn head to locate sounds by 4 months
  • Doesn't roll over (either direction) by 5 months
  • Appears to be inconsolable at night after 5 months
  • Doesn't smile spontaneously by 5 months
  • Can't sit without help by 6 months
  • Doesn't laugh or squeal by 6 months
  • Doesn't actively reach for objects by 6 to 7 months
  • Can't follow objects with both eyes at close (12 inches) and far (6 feet) ranges by 7 months
  • Doesn't bear some weight on leg by 7 months
  • Isn't trying to get your attention through her actions by 7 months
  • Isn't babbling by 8 months
  • Shows no interest in peekaboo games by 8 months

Continue to "Milestone: End of 12th Month" journey to parenthood

Most recent page update: 9/9/2010
© 2013 Childbirth Connection. All rights reserved.

Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality and value of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families.
News and Features
      Find us on Facebook logo  Tweet with us on Twitter

Listening to MothersSM III: New Mothers Speak Out (June 2013) reports on new national surveys about issues women face in the postpartum period and their views about maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials

Listening to MothersSM III (May 2013) is the third national survey exploring women's experiences in pregnancy and childbirth. Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to navigate their maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials

New Report: Maternity Care and Liability
Go to report and supporting materials

New Report: The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States
Go to report and supporting materials

New Cesarean Resources:
Go to Best Evidence Report
Go to web pages and booklet for women

 
For 95 years, Childbirth Connection has been dedicated to improving the quality and value of maternity care for all women and their families. Learn more about our rich history through our interactive timeline and give $95 for 95 in honor of our 95th birthday.
 
Childbirth Connection works to ensure that all women and babies get the best possible maternity care. We have the collective vision and we know how to get there, but we can't do it alone. Join the transformation today.

 
The Transforming Maternity Care website focuses on maternity care system improvements designed to engage diverse stakeholders in quality improvement efforts. The site offers full access to the landmark reports 2020 Vision and Blueprint for Action, features a Blog, and other resources such as an Action Center, a database of quality improvement projects, an interactive data center, and many more tools for advocates and stakeholders.

Sign up for monthly eNews from Childbirth Connection!

Join now!

Our Privacy Policy

Help Transform Maternity Care!
Help Transform Maternity Care! Please join our efforts to make quality maternity care a top national priority. Your support will help make the transformation possible.