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  5. Baby Growth and Development: 4-7 Month Milestones

Baby Growth and Development: 4-7 Month Milestones

By Catie Bielecki
Updated October 03, 2019
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What should a baby be doing between 4 months and 7 months? With these tips, parents can help their children reach important growth and development milestones. 
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Develop Full Color Vision

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Babies typically develop full color vision as a 5 month milestone. Infants at this age seem to prefer red or blue over other colors. Make it a point to read colorful picture books or magazines with bright pictures to your baby, since she'll have fun noticing the subtle differences in shade. Note that your baby’s distance vision will also improve during this time. 

  • RELATED: Understanding Your Baby's Developing Vision
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Respond to Name

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Your baby also stores memories around this time, so he’ll start to recognize his own name. To encourage language development, say the names of the items your baby encounters the most, such as mommy, daddy, grandparents, family pets, stuffed animals, etc. 

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Roll Both Ways

Within the first few months of life, babies learn to roll one way—usually from front to back. By 6 or 7 months of age, though, your little one probably mastered the art of rolling both ways. To help Baby practice her rolling skills, place bright toys just beyond her reach when she’s on her back; she'll learn that rolling over will help her reach them.

  • RELATED: When Do Babies Roll Over?

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Find Partially Hidden Objects

Your baby is learning “object permanence”— the idea that objects still exist outside her sight. While this concept will develop further in later months, she should now be able to find partially hidden things, like a toy that’s sticking out from underneath a blanket. 

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Enjoy Playing

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During these months, you may notice a dramatic change in Baby's personality. He may grow bored with toys and prefer your attention over anything else. Introduce him to more friends and children you trust and let them play with him.

  • RELATED: Baby Milestones Chart: A Week-by-Week Guide to Development

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React to Sound

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Babies learn by imitation, so when you talk, he might respond with noises as if you are having a conversation. You'll even notice Baby raising and lowering her voice to copy real-life dialogue! It’s important to note, however, that even though she may begin understanding more words, it could be past her first birthday before you can understand any of the babbling.

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Love His Reflection

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Baby doesn't yet realize the image is his, but he'll love watching his reflection moving and smiling. Encourage his curiosity by putting a large unbreakable mirror low on the walls so Baby can watch himself playing.

  • RELATED: The Sweetest Baby Milestones (and When to Expect Them)

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Sit Up

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As a 6 month milestone, your baby might sit with support. Then, a few weeks later, he’ll sit on his own. To help your little one get comfortable prop him up with several pillows, cushions, or a C-shaped pillow for support. He will probably prefer sitting in the "tripod position" at first: leaning forward with his arms extended for balance.

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Put Support on Both Legs

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Your baby's growing understanding of the function of her legs and feet is an important step on the road to crawling and walking. Around 7 months, she should press down and lock her legs when held upright on a firm surface. She may also have fun bouncing up and down as she relaxes and locks her knees.

  • RELATED: 10 Things to Know About Walking
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Distinguish Emotions

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In these months, your little one will begin to detect your emotions from the tone in your voice. Let Baby see your face when you talk so he can watch your mouth and facial expressions. Talk to him in a comforting voice when you are trying to soothe him. Speaking in anger or in a raised voice tells him something is wrong.

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Reach for Objects

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Thanks to developing upper body strength, your baby can reach for nearby objects. To help him practice, place coveted toys just out of his reach so he needs to stretch to grab them. Make sure that everything Baby plays with is unbreakable, lightweight, and large enough to prevent swallowing or choking.

  • RELATED: 12 Milestones You Shouldn't Overlook

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Transfer Objects Between Hands

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While your baby is still working on his pincer grasp, he can likely “palm” objects and transfer them between hands. Consistently reaching with one hand only may be a sign of a possible developmental delay, so talk to your pediatrician if your baby is showing signs of this.

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Develop Raking Grasp

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“Raking grasp” happens when your baby reaches for an object, spreads out his fingers, and pulls the object closer to him. Soft balls, toys that have finger holds, and baby books are appropriate toys to practice this skill.

  • RELATED: Helping Baby Reach Physical Milestones

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Express Emotions

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Tune into the differences in your baby's cries. What does she sound like when she is hungry, uncomfortable, or scared? Responding to all her needs helps Baby feel safe, secure, and trusting. Also pay attention to her body language and facial expressions; just like adults, babies can smile, frown, and can look confused, interested, or surprised.

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1 of 14 Develop Full Color Vision
2 of 14 Respond to Name
3 of 14 Roll Both Ways
4 of 14 Find Partially Hidden Objects
5 of 14 Enjoy Playing
6 of 14 React to Sound
7 of 14 Love His Reflection
8 of 14 Sit Up
9 of 14 Put Support on Both Legs
10 of 14 Distinguish Emotions
11 of 14 Reach for Objects
12 of 14 Transfer Objects Between Hands
13 of 14 Develop Raking Grasp
14 of 14 Express Emotions

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Baby Growth and Development: 4-7 Month Milestones
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