At this stage, get ready for your baby to surprise you with how quickly he or she picks up new skills as he or she becomes more mobile and inquisitive.
While you baby learns something new every day, understanding what to expect in terms of his or her milestones can give you an idea on what to do to promote his or her growth and development.
Most babies reach certain milestones at around the recommended guidelines, but do allow room for your baby to grow and develop at his or her own pace.
Here are some things that you can expect your baby to do from seven to nine months.
Better hand-eye coordination
At this age, most babies can transfer objects from one hand to another or directly to their mouths – and they’re getting better at it. Pulling objects closer with a claw-like motion of the hand makes way to more refined movements, such as picking up objects with the thumb and forefinger. This improved dexterity will help your baby handle a spoon and self-feed soft finger foods.
Advanced motor skills
Keep a close watch on your baby, as he or she can now roll over in both directions – yes, even when they’re sleeping. At this stage, some babies can sit independently while others need to be supported.
Some babies can pull themselves up to a standing position, and soon enough, your little one might cruise along while holding on to the couch or coffee table.
An eager talker
Your baby communicates with you through sounds, gestures and facial expression, and there will be plenty of laughing and squealing to go around. Some babies love repeating the sounds they hear (or try to), and their babbling is likely to include repeated sounds such as “ba ba ba”.
Keep your ears peeled – you might even hear an occasional “mama” or “dada”.
Separation anxiety
At this age, many babies start to recognise people and faces, and start becoming wary of unfamiliar people. Distractions is the way to go if your baby fusses when you leave – followed by a quick goodbye hug and kiss, and the reassurance that you will be back soon. Chances are, your baby will stop crying as soon as you are out of sight.
Teething woes
The first tooth will erupt anytime now. Some signs that indicate this include increased drooling or the tendency to chew on anything and everything.
You can soothe your baby’s gums by offering a cold rubber teething ring or breastmilk popsicle. When your baby’s first teeth makes a grand entrance, use a soft-bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush to clean them twice a day. You can use a smear of fluoride toothpaste no larger than the size of a rice grain until your baby learns to spit (usually around three years old).
What you can do to help your baby’s development from 4 to 6 months
Your baby enjoys learning and playing, so here’s what you can do to support your little explorer:
Introduce cause and effect
There are many ways to demonstrate the concept of cause and effect to your baby. Some examples include, pushing the button on a musical toy and sing and dance to the tune, as well as drop a soft toy from a height and let the toy drop.
Encourage your baby to do the same as this helps to build his or her self-confidence, knowing that he or she can make things happen.
The importance of play
Previously, you and your baby enjoyed classic games such as “peekaboo!” and “patty cake”. You can now put a creative spin on those games.
Some examples include:
- Arranging cushions and pillows on the floow to encourage your baby to creep and crawl over them
- Stacking blocks and get your baby to knock them down
- Using small containers and plastic utensils for pouring and mixing during bath time
A love for books
Keep up with your daily reading time with your baby every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes – for this helps to boost his or her language development. Make the experience more interesting with different facial expressions, sound effects and character voices.
Keeping the books within a level that is easily reached by your baby is a great idea as this encourages him or her to explore and develop a look for books and reading.
Carry on talking
You have been having small talks with your baby since the day he or she is born. Keep up your efforts in narrating what you’re doing and encourage him or her to repeat the sounds. Ask your baby questions that go beyond a yes-no answer. It might be too early to pick up audible words from your baby’s babble, but this encourages your baby to engage in a conversation.
Keep the environment safe for exploring
Keep your home baby-safe by having only safe objects within your baby’s reach. Stow away items that could be poisonous, pose a choking hazard or break into small pieces and cause a cut.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Cover electrical outlets
- Use safety gates to barricades no-go zones such as the kitchen and staircase
- Place cords from blinds and shades out of reach
- Install child locks on doors and cabinets
- Remove furniture with sharp edges from your baby’s play area – the same also goes for lightweight objects that your baby is bound to use to pull up to a standing position
- Mount book shelves, drawers and television to the wall
When should you be worried?
It is normal for your baby to reach some developmental milestones on schedule or ahead of time, but lag behind on others.
However, it is good to be aware of the warning signs of developmental delay and see your baby’s doctor if you notice any of these symptoms by the age of 9 months:
- Doesn’t babble
- Shows no interest in interactive games such as “peekaboo”
- Doesn’t attempt to attract attention through actions
- Doesn’t bear some weight on legs
- Doesn’t roll over in either direction or sit with support
