Your Baby's 7th Month

Lunging—and Maybe Crawling

Sitting becomes a favorite pastime for babies in their seventh month. Most babies can now sit unsupported—although consider keeping 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 all fours. She may rock back and forth with this new position, practicing for the next big movement: crawling.

Crawling in itself is not a milestone: Seeing an out-of-reach object and figuring out how to get it is a milestone. Some babies creep on their bellies, some crawl, others scoot on their bottoms. Some babies skip this stage altogether and start pulling up to a stand and walking. But your baby is probably very content right now to sit and observe the interesting sights around her. Enjoy this time, because she will soon be in constant motion.

Babyproof!

With Baby becoming more mobile, now is a good time for you to think about safety. Look at your home carefully. Cover electrical plugs, encase cords for blinds and draperies, and remove breakable or sharp objects from coffee tables and other places where baby will be able to reach.

Consider spots in the home which might require a gate—definitely at the top and bottom of stairs! It's 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 your home.

There is a continuum for how active and inquisitive babies can be during this stage. Some parents have reported doing minimum babyproofing of the home for one child and then doing a major childproofing overhaul for the next.

If you have a very active child who is almost crawling, consider having a safety expert come to your home and point out potential dangers. If your baby seems content sitting and is not as interested in learning how to crawl, you may still have some time. Either way, check out this babyproofing checklist to think about which steps to take next.