7 Month Old: Baby Girl Update

Kaya hit the big 7 month mark this week.  What should you expect around a baby's seventh month?  Every baby is different, but here's where Kaya is at developmentally:

Milestones:

• Eating solid foods. 

Kaya absolutely loves to eat – we’re talking a couple tablespoons of rice cereal and a whole jar of baby food. Her favorites? Carrots and green beans. Matt loves this stage because he can introduce her to all kinds of flavors – with me following behind making sure of the ingredients in each bite lol

Most infants start eating solids around 6 months, but to make sure they're ready to eat look for certain signs.  Your baby should be able to sit supported, the tongue thrust reflex should be gone, and they should show an interest in eating.

• Scooting. 

Kaya will hold her chest and belly off of the floor, stretch her feet out behind her, and try her hardest to crawl. The only problem is that she goes backwards instead. She gets so frustrated because she works so hard trying to get the toys just out of her reach, and then they end up even farther away.

This is the one that worries me... I am so not ready for another mobile child just yet.  Are you ever really ready for that?  Time to start baby-proofing (again!)

• Sitting. 

She hasn’t quite mastered this one just yet, but she’s working on it. She can sit up for a few seconds at a time before her big noggin tips her over. Right now our solution is a boppy pillow – she can sit for several minutes playing with a toy before she will reach for something else and topple over onto her belly.

If I'm quick though, I can usually snap a sweet picture like this one as long as something catches her attention long enough to keep her sitting.

• Stranger Anxiety. 

This is a new one for Kaya. Usually she’s all smiles and giggles when someone 

talks to her, but for the last week or two she will hide her face and cry when someone else tries 

to hold her. This only applies to people she doesn’t see on a daily basis – mom, dad, daycare 

ladies… we’re all good. Grandparents that she hasn’t seen for a few weeks? Instant waterworks

• First tooth. 

It was a rough couple of days: lots of screaming, crying, ear pulling, and no sleep 

but it finally came through. And she looks so cute with the one little tooth poking up from her 

bottom gums

Loves – anything her bubba does, her daddy’s voice, anything fuzzy, food, being outside

Hates – taking naps, being snuggled, her car seat

What I’ve learned this month – when all else fails, giving a baby something random will usually stop 

the crying for at least 5-10 minutes. What’s worked so far? Empty soda bottles, one of her shoes, 

wooden spoon, and a roll of tape. Pretty much anything she hasn't seen or tasted yet!

In all, I'm figuring out that this has been the best month so far.  I'm loving the chuckles, the sweet laughs that come from just watching something she finds amusing.  For example, falling leaves or Sammy jumping will evoke the cutest baby laughs.  She's getting more independent, but still loves her middle-of-the-night mommy time.  She recognizes faces of people she sees often, and will reach out to be held. 

I wonder what awesome things this month will bring?