What to expect

Babies grow and develop at their own pace. From ages 7 to 9 months, your baby is likely to experience:

• Advancing motor skills. By this age, most babies can roll over in both directions even in their sleep. Most babies also can sit on their own, while others need a little support. You might notice your baby beginning to scoot, rock back and forth, or even crawl across the room. Some babies this age can pull themselves to a standing position. Soon your baby might take some steps while holding the edge of a couch or low table.
• Improved hand-eye coordination. Most babies this age move objects from one hand to another or directly to their mouths. Pulling objects closer with a raking motion of the hands will give way to more-refined movements, such as picking up objects with just the thumb and forefinger. These skills will help your baby handle a spoon and soft finger foods.
• Evolving communication. Babies communicate through sounds, gestures and facial expressions. You'll probably hear plenty of laughing and squealing. Some babies might repeat the sounds they hear — or give it their best shot. Your baby's babbling is likely to include chains of sounds, such as "ba-ba-ba." You might even pick out an occasional "mama" or "dada."
• Stranger anxiety. Many babies this age become wary of strangers. Your baby might resist staying with anyone other than you. If your baby fusses when you leave, the excitement of a new toy or event might provide a distraction. Your baby will likely stop crying as soon as you're out of sight.
• Teething. Babies start getting teeth during this time. But teeth may come in later too. You might notice your baby drooling more than usual and chewing on just about anything. Try gently rubbing the gums with one of your fingers or offer a rubber teething ring. Avoid teething gels or other medications. When your baby's first teeth appear, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean them. Until your child learns to spit, at about age 3, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than the size of a grain of rice.