Physical Development

Is she crawling yet? Friends and family tend to ask this question anxiously, as though failure to crawl is a sign of developmental delay. Actually, crawling is so unpredictable that most child development books don't even consider it a milestone.

"Nowhere is the struggle between higher and lower brain centers for the control of behavior more clear than in the development of crawling." The higher brain, or cortex, takes over the movement of muscle groups starting with the shoulders and arms, eventually proceeding to the legs. This means that young babies will pull with their arms to try to move forward, with their legs hanging behind like dead weight. By the time a baby gains control of her lower body, she may have become so proficient at rolling or creeping that she doesn't feel the need to crawl. Or she may crawl for a few days and then amaze everyone by standing up and cruising the furniture.

Of course, many babies do crawl--at lightning speed--starting between 7 and 10 months of age. Crawling requires a complex give-and-take motion that provides excellent practice for walking, so applaud your baby if she does it. But as long as she's active and is using each arm and leg equally, don't worry if she doesn't.

Social Development

Whether she's creeping, crawling, scooting on her bottom, or scuttling sideways like a crab, one thing is for sure: Your baby has turned into a little explorer. But her new freedom brings with it new fears. There's something unexpected around every corner, and she's not yet adept at adjusting to new stimuli. She's also realized that, just as she can move away from you, you can distance yourself from her.

The result is a temporary dependence that makes her more fearful of separation. As long as you're in sight, she will happily work on developing her independence. But when you leave the room, she'll cry and try to follow. Reassure her before you leave, even for a few moments, by telling her that you'll be back soon. Then call out to her periodically from a distance, and respond as quickly as possible when she grows distressed.

Intellectual Development

Not all of the discoveries your baby is making now are scary ones. Starting at around 7 months, her sense of humor will develop to the point where many of your activities will strike her as quite funny. If you sing, she'll giggle and try to bounce in time. She'll roar with laughter when you drop something (if the noise doesn't startle her), and smile appreciatively when you imitate her babbles or squeals. And no matter how funny you are, she'll find her siblings even funnier. When an older child tells a joke and then chuckles, the sound of his laughter will make the baby laugh, too. Mealtimes can become uproarious at this time, with each family member trying to out-clown the other and baby's squeals adding to the general hilarity.

Note: The information above offers general guidelines, but all babies develop differently, and few hit their milestones precisely when the conventional wisdom says they should. If your child was born prematurely, you may want to use your due date as a baseline for following baby's development.