Neurological development from 7 to 12 months

The developmental milestone schedule is flexible, meaning some babies are alone at 9 months and others at 15. Acquisitions are made when you are ready to do so. Many times it depends on factors such as heredity, the baby's weight (if he is more or less chubby), the opportunities and stimulation that we offer him to crawl, crawl and walk (if a baby spends the day in the hammock , park or cart will not have the opportunity to prepare for autonomous travel).

At 7 months

• Motor skills and postural attitude: He is now able to roll over from prone to supine (from lying face down to face up). It is able to support its own weight on one hand for a few seconds when we put it upside down. If we sit him on the floor he can hold out a little by supporting his hands in front of him and arching his back. When we put it on its feet it is able to support a large part of its weight and enjoys bouncing with its feet. The neck muscles that gain tone from month to month can make the child lift his head slightly when we stretch him on a surface.
• Manipulation: You are now more aware of your body “two halves”, the left and the right, and this means that you can now pass objects from one hand to the other. This ability allows him to hold a different object in each hand. He has a tendency to put everything in his mouth. We can see how the baby explores the objects in his hands with greater thoroughness and may begin to smash them against the table or the floor. You can also do the same with your hand.
• Social: Increasingly it has the ability to recognize "cause-effect" this can be observed in the milestones of social development of this stage. He is able to look for an object that has fallen. If he has a tissue on his face, he will take it off on his own. He can begin to recognize everyday sounds: doorbell, toy ... His vision is also sharper and small moving objects and his image reflected in a mirror may attract his attention. React to "No!" remaining expectant or immobile.
• Language: It begins with babbling richer in sounds and syllables than in previous months. Experiment and enjoy with your own voice by gurgling, screaming or.

Warning signs

• Does not pick up objects
• Does not lean on hands face down
• Does not sit with support

Security measures

It is important at this stage to increase security measures at home: cover plugs, small parts, keep cleaning products out of reach ... You also have to supervise the child more closely because falls are frequent.

At 8 months

• Motor skills and postural attitude: Can roll over from supine to prone (passes alone from face up to face down). Your back muscles are already much stronger, allowing you to sit unsupported for a little while. His exploratory character is accentuated and his preferences are also accentuated, so he makes an effort to pick up toys that are far from his reach and that attract his attention. In achieving this purpose it is helped by the fact that it begins to crawl (it is its mode of movement).
• Social: Likes to play hide and seek and find a disappearing face. It is much more observant and follows a moving object to the end of its path. He likes to drop objects on the ground to see what they sound like. His preferences are much clearer and he removes the mother's hand if what he is doing or offering is not to his liking: spoon, cotton swab ... He cries when he is separated from his mother and has a different attitude towards the mother than with strangers .
• Language: Keep perfecting your babbling.

Warning signs

• Does not pass objects from one hand to another
• Does not babble
• Doesn't explore the objects he picks up

At 9 months

• Motor skills and postural attitude: Stands upright and maintains balance by holding hands with an adult or a piece of furniture at home. You can keep crawling or start crawling.
• Social: Look for an object that has disappeared or that we have hidden under another in its presence. At this stage things exist even though they are not in your field of vision. In earlier stages, everything that leaves his visual field "ceases to exist" for the child. Demand attention in a more active and explicit way by reaching out for them to grasp it.
• Language: Can begin to say two-syllable words: "mama", "bada", "papa" ... without meaning. Yells and chatters to get the attention of adults.

Warning signs

• Does not follow an object until the end of its path
• Has no interest in picking up objects

At 10 months

• Motor skills and posture: He is already an expert in crawling and goes everywhere exploring everything. He is much more stable when he stands up with support and can walk on furniture or with the help of an adult. It sits smoothly and very stable.
• Manipulation: Chop two objects that he has picked up. It is able to put an object inside another without letting go.
• Language: Continues to speak unspecific bisyllables and imitates the sounds heard. It can understand some simple command like "give me".

Warning signs

• Cannot hold an object in each hand
• Does not say nonspecific bisyllables
• Don't sit
• Does not rotate from supine to prone

At 11 - 12 months

• Motor skills and postural attitude: He sits alone and while sitting, he can turn to pick up an object. You can start walking holding one hand. You can get up on your own and take a few steps without help, but you still seek support from the furniture or the adult.
• Handling: Put objects inside a box and perform the thumb-index clamp to perfection. He tries to make two-cube towers, although he doesn't always succeed. You can start drinking from a bottle or glass by yourself and turn the pages of a story.
• Social: It includes a prohibition, although it does not always pay attention to us. He is able to search for Mom and Dad when they are named. Play hide by covering your face. He is very interested in stories with pictures. You can begin to imitate simple gestures. Express clearly with gestures what you want. Help dress up and dance to the music. Use them properly.
• Language: Understands the meaning of some words and turns when they say his name. Can say one to three meaningful words.

Warning signs

• Does not search for a missing (covered) object
• Does not stand up with support
• Does not miss the mother
• Does not seek communication with the adult (with gestures or words)
• Doesn't explore new toys

• At eight months he may be sitting for a little while and begins to crawl to get around.
• At the age of nine months, he performs the thumb clamp that allows him to eat only one gum or piece of bread.
• After ten months, he begins to understand and say some meaningful words.

Pediatric Specialist