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There are many milestones in an infant’s physical, emotional and learning development during the four to seven months period. Each baby is individual, and developmental milestones should not be compared. Babies can reach milestones early or late.
Physical Milestones of a Four to Seven Month Old Infant
- Infants will be able to hold an object in their hands and bring it to their mouths. They will eventually learn to pass an object from one hand to the other.
- Infants will be able to push their heads and shoulders up and rest their weight on their forearms when they are lying on their stomachs.
- Infants in this age group will start drooling and teething.
- Infants will learn to roll from back to side, and then they will learn to roll from stomach to back.
- Infants will learn to pull their feet to their mouth and play or chew on toes.
- Infants may sit unsupported for a brief period of time.
Learning Milestones of a Four to Seven Month Old Infant
- Infants in this age group will coo and gurgle and gradually start making consonant sounds. This will be proceeded by the infant’s imitation of sounds.
- Infants will start reaching out for objects they want and link certain sounds with objects.
- Infants will explore their mother’s body with their hands.
- Infants in this age group like looking in the mirror, and they can examine things for longer periods of time.
- Infants will look down when they drop something.
Emotional Milestones of a Four to Seven Month Old Infant
- Infants in this age group will start to laugh, soon to be followed with chuckling when excited.
- Infants tend to not cry as much as before as they have found other ways to communicate their wants and needs.
- Infants in this age group will fuss and be demanding if they feel their needs are not being met.
- Infants in this age group will squeal and wiggle excitedly when they are stimulated by caregivers or something they favor.
- Infants will smile at themselves when they look in the mirror. They will also smile at other babies.
- By seven months, infants in this age group can hold out their arms when they want to be picked up or hugged.
When to Contact the Pediatrician
You should contact your child’s pediatrician if your child is showing any of the following signs or conditions:
- Infant does not turn toward sounds or react to bright lights.
- Infant does not follow caregiver or objects with their eyes.
- Infant does not smile.
- Infant is unable to grasp and hold onto an object.
- Infant does not roll.
- Infant cannot hold head upright without assistance.
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