Milestones in a Baby's Development Between 7 and 8 Months

Isn’t it absolutely wonderful to see your baby do something for the first time? Being aware of their progress and proudly walking alongside them is crucial for a baby’s development. Especially in specific phases of a baby’s development, it’s important for them to see you as parents who know how to see to their needs without getting mad, and instead giving them all the love in the world.

A baby never asks any more than that. They want nothing but love and to have their basic needs covered. Some people might say “that’s not nothing!” and they’re not wrong. Knowing how to keep up that love and affection when you’re worn out is quite a feat. But your love for your child, as you’ll see (or have seen), can do it.

Baby’s development in the seventh month of life: syllables and pawing

In the seventh month of a baby’s development, she is progressing in a lot of areas. She’s been developing a good bit of her muscles for a while now, which means she can sit up without any help. She can also raise her head when she’s laying down. When babies are in that position they usually use their little arm to hold themselves up and watch all the interesting things around them.

Your baby is doing a lot with her hands now. Now babies can pick up objects and are even pretty strong when they do. They can move things from one hand to another too. So anything you can give them to handle will help them develop this new skill.

There are plenty of books you can buy your baby with different textures and interesting, bright pictures. It will all help make them more skillful in this area. They’ll manipulate the book however they want, focusing their attention on whatever captivates them most. 

In the past couple months they might’ve already started to make those little noises that are so endearing… and now you might notice they’ve moved onto syllables. Plus  they’ll start to understand more of what you say to them. They might be able to associate the sounds you make with specific objects or your reactions to what they do.

The eighth month of life: separation anxiety

In your baby’s eighth month they’ll now be able to turn themselves over, in either direction. This milestone is a huge step forward. However, it also means they’re much more capable of putting themselves in dangerous situations, so you have to be extra watchful. Also, they now pick up objects more easily thanks to the “pincer” they learned to make with their thumb and index finger.

In this month you’ll also start to notice separation anxiety. It usually shows up during this part of a baby’s development and it’s totally normal. Up until now you’ve been the one rocking them when they cry, feeding them, and caring for them.

If my mommy or daddy disappears I won’t survive

When the adults that have been their “everything” disappear for a second, babies will start to cry and feel anxiety. This is normal and to be expected. It’s because of the bond they’ve created with parents or guardians; babies won’t want to separate from them. It’s as simple as that.

In fact, it’s a sign that their bond is good.  I feel so happy and safe with mommy or daddy that I don’t want to be apart from them. It’s almost like they think they’re in some kind of danger just by being away from their parents. So don’t worry too much about it or start to think your baby is too much of a  “mama’s boy” or the like.

Your baby just has a well-developed, properly functioning survival instinct. They’ve learned that they need mom or dad to survive. That’s why they don’t want anything to happen to them when you disappear from the room. They really just don’t know if you’ll come back or if you’ve left forever.

It’s important to understand all these changes going on with your baby from a developmental point of view. That way you won’t be unnecessarily confused or upset. Your little one will thank you for it!