Baby Development: Your Stronger 7-Month-Old

From day one, your baby has maintained that special spot in your heart. But by month seven, he knows it and he intends to keep it that way. Baby will push the limits in all his activities; in fact, he's already learning how far he can go. Why is it that your child-care provider consider him an angel at lunch but he throws sweet potatoes at you at dinner? It's because baby knows that your love and acceptance (if not your patience) are endless. Keep in mind that it's good for baby to start maintaining some control over his environment, but as his parent, you need to determine how far he can go.

• Your baby now can bear weight on his legs when you hold him upright.
  
  
• He can sit without support.
  
  
• Baby can stand while holding onto someone or something.
  
  
• He can pull himself up to a standing position from a seated one.
  
  
• Baby walks by holding on to furniture.
  
  
• He babbles.
  
  
• Baby plays peekaboo.
  
  
• He plays pat-a-cake.
  
  
• Baby waves good-bye.
  
  
• He can say "mama" or "dada."

• Devote short periods of time to him all day, or see that your child-care provider does. Sit down and read him a book, play finger games with him, or help him build a tower of blocks. Let him know you're always availableñbut just for limited amounts of time.
  
  
• Provide a change of atmosphere if baby starts to fuss. Place baby onto a blanket on the floor or move him to another room. (Just make sure he's not fussing because he's tired, hungry, or in need of a fresh diaper.) Monitor his surroundings periodically, and occasionally replace the few toys that are within his reach. Don't let piles of toys accumulate around him; they can overwhelm him.
  
  
• If his crankiness doesn't subside, go to baby and show him how to play with a particular toy or object, but don't sit down with him or pick him up. After a brief demonstration, go back to your own tasks. And don't hesitate to tell himñin a calm, pleasant voiceñthat you need to do your work, too. Keep chatting or singing to him as you busy yourself within his earshot; return to him if he threatens to erupt but before he actually starts to scream. (You don't want him to think that this is the ultimate way to bring you back to your senses.)