By the time your baby is 8 months old, development is moving at breakneck speed! Some babies are able to sit steadily without support, so a learn-to-walk chair can become extremely popular. The same goes for toys that make different sounds, lights or patterns.

Baby development at 7 months

Your little one is probably becoming more and more mobile now and is moving at a fast pace. Many babies at this age have also started to crawl and you can tell if they are trying to move forward by their more symmetrical kicking when lying on their tummy on the floor. If you want to challenge your baby, you can put a toy as a lure a little further forward to motivate them to try to reach the toy, and see if your little one starts to try to move forward.

As your baby's body becomes more stable, it can be exciting to try rocking for the first time. Try holding your little one up in a standing position and you'll see if they try to 'jump' by bouncing their legs up and down.

First teeth 

Perhaps your baby has already got its first small, sharp teeth, or they are on their way? The first teeth usually appear in the lower jaw, often two front teeth, and can start to appear when your baby is around 7 months old.

You may notice teething if your baby is drooling more than usual, putting things in their mouth and chewing intensely. It's also not uncommon for babies to be a bit more cranky and less comfortable eating and sleeping when teething. Some also get a fever or become loose in the stomach when their teeth erupt.  

You can help your baby with the pain by giving them things to chew on, which usually feel good against their gums. These can be things that are a bit cold (for example, teething rings that can be put in the fridge/freezer) or that have a bit of texture and scratch nicely where the teeth are emerging. Massaging your gums with your finger usually also works well for relief, just be sure to wash your hands beforehand.

Once the tooth has erupted, any symptoms usually subside and it's time for a new chapter: brushing! Use a baby-friendly toothbrush and use as little toothpaste as your baby's little fingernail. 

Here you can read about baby development at 8 months!