7 Months

Crawling age varies widely—some babies skip it entirely and go straight to walking. At 7 months, many babies are still preparing. Look for precursors: rocking on hands and knees, pushing backward, or army crawling. To encourage, place toys just out of reach during tummy time. Ensure plenty of floor time. If by 9-10 months baby shows no interest in moving toward objects or can't bear weight on legs when held, consult your pediatrician.

Yes, the normal range for first teeth is 6-12 months, and some babies don't get teeth until after 12 months. Late teethers often catch up quickly. Genetics plays a big role. Continue offering appropriate textured foods once solids are established. If by 18 months there are still no teeth, mention it to your pediatrician. The timing of teething doesn't predict developmental outcomes.

Start with a small sippy cup or open cup with a tiny amount of water (1-2 oz) at mealtime. Model drinking yourself. Some babies do better with a straw cup instead. Don't force it—let baby explore. Most babies can use a sippy cup by 9-12 months, but practice can start earlier. Avoid juice in bottles as this can cause tooth decay and make cup transition harder.

Yes, this is normal exploration! Babies are learning cause and effect, object properties, and their own strength. Provide safe opportunities for banging: wooden spoons, pots, blocks, and toys designed for this purpose. This behavior supports motor development and cognitive understanding. Redirect away from inappropriate surfaces and protect baby's hands from hard impacts.

By 7 months, most babies turn when their name is called. To test, say baby's name when they're calm but not directly engaged with you. Try this in different settings. If there's no consistent response by 9 months, especially combined with limited eye contact or social engagement, discuss with your pediatrician. This can sometimes indicate hearing issues or early signs of developmental conditions that benefit from early evaluation.

DaMilestone is a parent monitoring tool, not a replacement for professional screening. However, it uses the same milestone categories used in many clinical tools (CDC milestones, standardized assessments). Think of it as ongoing tracking between well-child visits, helping you notice patterns and prepare specific questions for your pediatrician. The app provides the detail that helps make clinical time more productive.

At 7 months, seek evaluation if: baby doesn't try to get things that are within reach, doesn't respond to sounds or their name, can't sit with help, doesn't babble or make sounds, seems very stiff or floppy, or shows no affection for caregivers. Also consult if baby has lost skills they previously had. Early intervention services exist for exactly these concerns.

There's typically no scheduled 7-month visit. Use this time to track: feeding progress (solids, textures), motor development (sitting, crawling precursors), sleep patterns, and communication. Bring observations to your 9-month visit. If any concerns arise before then—especially regarding hearing, vision, or motor skills—don't wait to contact your pediatrician.