MONTH 7
Please
keep in mind that all babies are unique. Whether your
baby reaches milestones early or late, she has her
own developmental path to follow. The dividing lines
between these months are very fuzzy. If you have any
concerns or questions about your baby’s development,
please check with her health care provider.
Look
Ma, No Hands
Sitting
becomes a favorite pastime for babies in their seventh
month. Most babies can now sit unsupported -- although
keep those cushions nearby in case she topples.
When
your child sees an interesting object out of reach,
she may try to get it. Lunging forward from a sitting
position is a very important movement. In time, as
she continues lunging, she may pivot up onto her knees
for an extra long stretch. She’ll learn that she can
hold herself up on her knees and hands -- up on all
fours. She may rock back and forth with this new position,
practicing for the next big movement, crawling.
Actually,
crawling is not in itself a milestone. Seeing an out-of-reach
object and figuring out a way to get to it is a milestone.
Some babies creep on the bellies, some crawl, others
scoot on their bottoms. Some babies skip this stage
and start pulling up to a stand and walking. But your
baby is probably very content right now sitting and
observing the interesting sights around her. Enjoy
this time, because it may be the last time before
she is in constant motion.
Safety
This
is a good time for you to start thinking about safety.
Look at your home carefully. Start covering electrical
plugs, encasing cords for blinds and draperies, removing
breakable or sharp objects from coffee tables and
other spaces where baby will be able to reach.
Consider
places in the home where you may want a gate -- definitely
at the top and bottom of stairs! It is very important
that baby has a safe space to explore, because for
the next months that will be her job -- to check out
and investigate every nook and cranny in the home.
There is a continuum for
how active and inquisitive babies can be during this
stage. Some parents have reported barely child proofing
the home for one child and then doing a major child
proofing haul for the following sibling.
If
you have a very active child who is almost crawling
by month seven, you may consider having a safety expert
come to your home and point out potential dangers.
If your baby seems content sitting and not as interested
right now in learning how to crawl, you may still
have some time.
Safety
in the Tub
By
now, baby has likely grown too big for the infant
tub, but wet baby bodies are slippery, and placing
baby directly in the tub may be frightening for parents.
You may want to use a bath seat -- especially now
that baby enjoys sitting. This is a small seat with
suction cups on the bottom that attaches to the floor
of tub. Often these seats swivel and have seat belts
and toy bars. They offer a safe way to introduce baby
to the big tub.
Bath time is a great time
to connect with baby after a long day. Test the water
with your elbow, a part of your anatomy that is more
sensitive to temperature than your hands. Have your
supplies ready -- towel, washcloth, cleanser, shampoo,
and anything else you need. Take baby out of the water
carefully, but quickly cover her in a fluffy towel
and dry off. Often, it is not the water that bothers
babies who don’t seem to like the bath, but being
wet and cold.
There
are, of course, great toys for the bath, ones that
squirt water or soft sponges in the shapes of animals.
Plastic cups for baby to stack, fill with water and
pour are winners. And no baby’s bath is complete without
a rubber ducky.
Stranger
Anxiety
Sometime
between six and twelve months, your baby may show
the first signs of being wary of strangers. She can
clearly distinguish between people she knows and people
she doesn’t. It is a normal phase and affects children
in varying degrees.
You
play a very important role in helping children accept
strangers. First, you never have to apologize to anyone
for her reactions. Her response is not an indicator
of insecurity or a reflection of your parenting skills.
Instead, talk to your baby about the stranger. "This
is your uncle Rajesh. He has heard a lot about you.
He looks very happy to meet you." Your baby will accept
the stranger must faster if she can feel your own
acceptance. If you like this person, then maybe he
is okay.
From
the safety of your arms, baby will watch the stranger’s
face and listen to the tone of the conversation between
you and the mysterious, new person. Give her the space
to become more comfortable. For those children who
are more sensitive to strangers, it may not be a good
idea to hand baby over to the new person to hold.
In time, she will warm up and engage the stranger
in her own individual way.
Separation
Anxiety
Also,
around this time, baby may seem to have a harder time
separating from you. Separation anxiety can appear
anytime after six months, but usually peaks closer
to twelve months.
Separating
from baby is a huge milestone for parents too. If
baby is upset or clinging, it can be heart breaking.
Is raises questions for parents such as "Is my baby
insecure?" "Is she too dependent?" "Why can’t she
trust others?" "Am I a bad parent for leaving her?"
Hard as it may be -- try not to worry. This is a normal
stage in her development. There are specific strategies
that you can use to help you and baby separate more
easily.
Leave
her with your mother-in-law or a close relative or
a caregiver that you know and trust. Stranger and
separation anxiety often go hand in hand. Spend some
time with this caregiver together, so she can feel
your own trust in this person.
Always
- even if baby is happily playing - say goodbye. Tell
her that you will be back and you want her to have
a good time with _____ (name of caregiver). Drawn
out goodbyes are hard on everyone. Be confident! Your
baby will have a much easier time if she knows you
feel good about leaving with the caregiver.
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