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We are going to jump right into a day in the life of a 7 month old and what their routine looks like. This schedule may not apply based on your family life or work situation. One thing you can easily do is add or subtract an hour to all of the listed times.
7:45 PM Nurse
8:00 PM Bedtime
7:30 AM Wake Up
7:35 AM Nurse
Play
8:15 AM Solids
Play
9:30 AM Nap #1
10:25 AM Wake Up
10:30 AM Nurse
Play – Walk Outside
12:45 PM Nurse
1:10 PM Nap #2
3:00 PM Wake Up
3:05 PM Nurse
4:30 PM Nap #3
5:20 PM Wake Up
5:25 PM Nurse
7:35 PM Nurse
7:45 PM Bedtime
Importance of a Daily Routine
As your baby continues to grow routines are going to become more important. Routines help your baby know what to expect at certain times of the day. They can decrease anxiety and fussiness resulting in a much smoother day.
Routines are also important for parents because they hold you accountable. If you put reading books into your routine it will happen each day. If it is not a part of your routine it simply won’t get done consistently.
Routines help you stay on track with what is important to you and the growth of your baby.
Establishing routines now can set you up well going into toddlerhood.
If you want to hear more thought on routines check out How A Strong Night Time Routine Can Improve Your Mornings Each Day.
Sleep at 7 Months Old
When it comes to nighttime sleep we are making it through the night probably 70% of the time. Every couple of nights she wakes up fussing. Sometimes this is at 10 PM and other times it is 2 or 4 in the morning.
One of the causes of nighttime waking is her rolling over. She is not exactly sure how to handle it when she rolls over. For the most part, she gets really upset. I am going in to nurse her back to sleep.
In theory, I would prefer to go in and just place her on her back again. I like that we are nearly to the point of no nighttime nursing sessions. She is so distraught though that I feel the need to nurse her to calm her down. This is one of those times when you have to do what feels right for your child.
This is a milestone that doesn’t have a simple answer. I am trying to get her more comfortable with being on her stomach during the day, but it just isn’t the same.
I have also seen her roll onto her stomach during naps. I watch on the monitor and if she isn’t fussing too much I will leave her on her stomach for a bit. I figure this is her way of trying to get used to it or figure out how to roll back over.
Another sleep disruption you could be experiencing is teething. It is going to be a frequent issue over the next few months. Let’s check out a quick article on How to Soothe a Teething Baby: Expert Tips and Tricks.
Naps
We are in an awkward place with naps. Some days we do two naps and other days we do three. It honestly depends on the day, time of the first two naps, and duration of the first two naps. At this age, the goal is to get around 3-4 hours of naptime sleep.
Nursing
Our nursing routine is the same despite introducing solids. Over time I think it will start to decrease. When you initially introduce solids a lot of the food ends up on your baby’s face and not in their stomach. It is important to continue to prioritize milk.
With my first baby, I was very concerned about losing my milk supply once solids were introduced. If you have similar thoughts I recommend always nursing your baby first, then following up a little while after with solid foods. Just so you know it all worked out perfectly fine and I nursed just past the first year.
Solids
By now you are likely introducing solid foods. Your baby could still be struggling with the process, or they could have it mastered and be chowing down at every meal. All babies get it in their own time.
When introducing solids it is important to stay safe in every way. Make sure your baby is safe in their highchair or booster seat. When they are little it is easy for them to flop around or sink down in their chair.
You also need to be careful when it comes to the foods you give them. If you go the puree route, start with single-ingredient foods. This helps you determine if any allergies or food intolerances are present.
If your method of choice is baby-led weaning make sure to do so in a safe manner and always keep your eye on your baby. Do not walk around the house doing chores while your baby is eating. Stay in the kitchen.
Your baby is designed to gag easily. This helps them stay safe and avoid choking. Gagging typically makes a little noise. Your baby is clearing what they couldn’t handle. Choking on the other hand can be silent.
Do not leave your baby with a tray of finger food and go off into another area of the house. The high chair is not your babysitter.
For more tips on introducing solids check out Everything You Need to Know About Introducing Solid Food to Your Baby.
Development
If you haven’t noticed your baby is soaking in so much of the world each day. Make sure you are giving them lots of floor time to explore their body and how they can make it move.
Place toys and baby-safe mirrors around them to encourage them to move. Give them time to sit up. It may be lightly or heavily assisted depending on your baby.
Start reading books to your baby and narrating parts of your day. They are going to start storing words to later use.
Play little games like pee-a-boo. When they make noises make them back. See if the pattern repeats.
This is also a great time to start incorporating basic sign language. Some frequently used baby signs include: eat, all done, milk, and more. Over time you can add to your list. Sign language is a great way to avoid future tantrums by clearly communicating with your baby.
Conclusion
That is a real day with my 7 month old. Those are the milestones and struggles we are currently facing. You may find your baby going through similar things now or in the near future. Every baby develops at their own unique speed. Give them the environment and opportunity to try new things. Enrich their lives with varying experiencing around them.
Keep them growing and stimulated each day.
Good luck and I am sure you are doing great!
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