During month seven, your baby starts moving more independently, scooting around on his belly like a tadpole. At the end of this month, your baby will probably be getting his first tooth, and even, perhaps, eating his first cracker. How can you help his development this month? Read children's books, or make your own with bright pictures from magazines. Point to and name objects and people as he looks at them.

Your baby’s development

Time to start baby-proofing the house!

Once your baby turns 7 months they’ll find loads of new objects to pick up and throw!

They’re becoming increasingly active and need lots of space to discover and move around in. That means more work ahead for you too, as baby-proofing the house will take on a sudden new urgency. At the moment, it’s all about crawling and learning the word, “No!”

Helping your 7 month old baby develop a strong mind and body

This month, your baby's language, recognition, and social skills are at an important stage of development. Help ensure his development stays on track by continuing to engage him in some of these activities:

• Chat with your baby every time you're together.
• Expose him to a variety of sounds, and help him try to locate them.
• Imitate the sounds your baby makes, and try to get him to make those sounds back to you.
• Provide some quiet time when the radio and TV are not on.

You can also make a photo album of familiar family members, and point to and name objects and people so your baby absorbs new words. He may stay interested only a few minutes at a time, but try to do this every day.

Baby feeding and play

Once your baby can sit on his own in a high chair, mealtime becomes a party. He wants to grab the spoon, put it in his mouth, and bang it on the tray, creating his own special baby song.

Eating comes with other surprises as well. Some time soon, he may be ready to eat a cracker or dry cereal by himself. Not only does this introduce him to "grown-up" food, but it also lets him practice his fine-motor skills.

And remember, while it's difficult to never leave the room while your baby eats, it's important to stay with him to prevent choking or tumbles from the high chair.

It's teething time - What you should expect?

Your baby's first tooth can arrive as early as 3 months or as late as 12, but the average age for babies to begin teething is 7 months. How will you know? Watch for him to start drooling more heavily and biting on his hands. He may also develop a rash on his chin from saliva, and may get irritable from the discomfort and inflammation of his gums. It can also keep him up at night.

You could try giving him a frozen teething ring or other teething toy, or even a frozen wet washcloth to chew on to help relieve the discomfort. You may also want to replenish your stock of bibs, and try to keep cloth diapers close by to help keep his clothes and face dry.

Your babies health

Your baby's out and about more this month. And as your baby plays more with other babies and children, he's more likely to pick up colds and viruses. While every baby gets these illnesses, talk with your baby's health care professional if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Runny nose or congestion that interferes with eating or sleeping or lasts longer than a week to 10 days
• Cough that is associated with vomiting or that interferes with sleep
• Wheezing
• Unusual fatigue and crankiness
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Fever
• Pulling at his ears

Regular “well-baby appointments” during this time will also put your mind at ease, reassuring you that your baby is reaching developmental milestones and getting the recommended vaccinations that protect him from serious childhood illnesses. Ask your health care professional for an immunization record, so that you can keep it for the lifetime of your child.