7-9 Months – New discoveries

Communicating  

What’s New? 

From the 7th to the 9th month, your baby will babble most of the time. His babbling can sound like real talking, using the rhythms of speech even though you cannot understand the words.  In this period, some babies will already say their first word, probably sounding like “ma-ma” or “da-da”, even though the baby will still not know its exact meaning. At this age your baby will show that he understands some other words – for example, when you say,  “Where is mama?” or “Where is your papa?” he may look around for his mother or his father.  Or he might stop what he is doing when he hears the word “no.”    

And What Can You Do to Help?

Talk with your baby as you go about your ordinary daily routines.  He loves to hear you talk with him.  It is easy:  just tell him what you are doing, what you’re going to do, or name the objects that you’re using or that are around him. This helps your baby connect things with their names and meanings. When your baby babbles, respond warmly.  For example, if he babbles “ah-ah-ah” as he looks at fruit in the kitchen, you might copy his sounds and also say “Oh, do you see the apples? See, here’s an apple!” Besides talking with him, also sing, play songs, tell stories and read to him, every day. This shows him how much you love him and helps him learn how to communicate.              

Feelings  

What’s New?

At this age, even without words your baby will be able to let you know, very clearly, when he is happy or upset. These months are a time when your baby is developing a strong bond or attachment to you or close family members or caregivers. But at the same time, he’s developing a fear of new people.  If a friendly neighbour comes to visit, your baby might hide or cry — even if he went happily to the person a few months before.  He is probably quite definite about who his favourite people are and will look for their attention and help.  He will use his new physical skills to move close to you or another special person, smile, and expect you to respond.  If you leave the room even briefly, he may get upset.  If he is upset about that or other things, he will look for a comforting cuddle. 

And What Can You Do to Help?

Remember, these are normal, typical behaviours at this age — and they show that he knows who are the important people in his world and how much he cares about you. Even though it is hard sometimes, be patient and provide your baby with a sense of security when he meets new people. Pay attention to how your baby reacts to new situations and people, as his reactions will probably change from week to week.  If new people become part of his world, try to help him get used to them gradually, so that he feels comfortable. Name the feelings you notice in your child — “Yes, I see that you are feeling scared.  It will be all right; I’m here. Let’s see if we can help you feel better.” 

If you need to spend time away from your baby on a regular basis, for example, if he attends a child care program, make sure that your baby has some of his favourite things with him and is familiar with the care provider.  If possible, choose a setting in which he will be with the same care provider every day. 

Thinking

What’s New? 

Because your baby is beginning to crawl and perhaps even stand with help, a whole new part of the world opens up to him. When he reaches interesting objects, he is now able to pick them up with a precise grip and inspect them very carefully.  If you hide an object with a cloth, he looks for where he saw it last.  He can look for a toy that you cover with a piece of cloth.  If he throws something, he watches it and looks for the place where it fell.  

And What Can You Do to Help?

Play games like peek-a-boo or a “hiding and finding” game — perhaps you put a small toy under a blanket and encourage your baby to pull the blanket to discover the toy. He will love to repeat these kinds of games, that build thinking skills as well as emotional security. He will also love to drop small objects into a bowl, take them out again, and do this ever and over. (Do watch closely, as babies at this age also explore by putting objects in their mouth.)  Let him play with small objects, pushing them around, or rolling balls back and forth.  As he plays, he begins to understand that his actions can make certain things happen (cause/effect) — an important discovery. 

Moving

What’s New?

These months bring some exciting developments. In this period, your baby develops many new motor skills that allow him to discover the charms of the world around him. Each child develops on an individual timetable, but most likely he is now beginning not only to sit independently but also to move, most often by crawling or rolling. He is also more and more successful in holding small objects with his fingers. He skilfully examines objects with his hands, often passing items from one hand to another - although he will still very often explore objects by putting them in his mouth. In these areas and in others, your baby’s independence is growing. In this period and depending on your traditions, you may be introducing your baby to solid foods.  

And What Can You Do to Help?

Place your baby next to interesting objects that he can pick up safely. Allow your child to move around the room freely as long as the environment is safe and you are nearby to supervise and help if needed. Make sure that none of the objects your baby handles are too small, to prevent the risk of choking. Your task is to provide the baby with an environment that is stimulating enough so that he can explore, but also safe enough so that he does not get hurt. When he discovers something, share his discovery with a big smile or comment (“Look what you found — a cup!  May I see it?”). In this way, the baby will learn to develop his curiosity and feel safe and protected at the same time. 

If he is beginning to eat solid food, allow him to explore different tastes and explore new foods in different ways. Most children at this age will try to eat on their own (by picking up pieces of food and feeding themselves). 

To find many more ways on how to support child development through play, go to Playing Together section.

Parents’ concerns about development in the period from the 7th to the 9th month 

Because each child develops in his own particular way, it is impossible to predict exactly when or how your own child will perfect a certain skill. The abilities (developmental milestones) expected and listed for this period give you only a general idea of the changes you might expect as your child gets older.  Please do not be worried if his development takes a slightly different path.

However, to be sure, do talk with your pediatrician [or other health provider] if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay, if your child seems to have lost some of the skills he had at an earlier age, or if you have other reasons to be concerned:

• If your baby isn’t making eye contact with you or isn’t following moving objects with his eyes  

• Isn’t babbling (“mama,” “dada,” etc.)  
• Isn’t turning his head towards a sound source  
• doesn’t look where you point
• doesn’t show affection for his caregivers – doesn’t smile at them  
• doesn’t respond to his own name
• doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people
• isn’t rolling  
• when you lift him, he is either floppy or too stiff  
• he can’t sit even with your help and support  
• and has difficulties eating solid food.