👶 First year · Month 7

Week 28 old

Week 28: your 7-month-old is sitting steadier, exploring solids, and napping on a more predictable rhythm. Here's what's normal.

In short

At 28 weeks (about 7 months), most babies take 24-32 oz of breast milk or formula a day plus 1-2 small solid meals, sleep around 12-15 hours total, and stay awake 2.5-3.5 hours between sleeps.

🍼 Feeding

About 24-32 oz of breast milk or formula across 4-5 feeds a day, plus 1-2 small solid meals (a few tablespoons of iron-rich purees or soft finger foods). Milk is still the main nutrition; solids are for practice and added iron.

😴 Sleep

Around 12-15 hours total — roughly 10-11 hours overnight plus 2-3 naps adding up to about 2.5-4 hours. Wake windows are usually 2.5-3.5 hours. Always back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding, pillows, or bumpers.

What's happening this week

  • Around this age, many babies sit without support for longer stretches and reach for toys without toppling.
  • Many 7-month-olds pass objects from one hand to the other and rake small items toward themselves.
  • Babbling often expands now to strings of sounds like 'bababa' or 'dadada'.
  • Around now, lots of babies show stranger awareness and prefer familiar caregivers.
  • Many babies start to understand that a hidden toy still exists, an early sign of object permanence.

Milestones to keep in mind

  • Milestones at this age are framed around the 6-month checkup you've likely passed and the 9-month checkup ahead — there's a wide normal range, not a weekly schedule.
  • By around the 6-month checkpoint, many babies can sit with little support and push up on straight arms; if your baby isn't there yet, mention it at the next visit.
  • Looking toward the 9-month checkpoint, many babies begin sitting steadily on their own and may start scooting or getting into a crawl position — but timing varies a lot.
  • Many babies respond to their name and turn toward sounds around this age.

Growth

Growth slows from the newborn pace; many babies have roughly doubled their birth weight by around 5-6 months and gain more gradually now. Your pediatrician tracks the curve, not a single number.

💡 Tip for this week

Offer iron-rich first foods like iron-fortified cereal, pureed meats, or mashed beans alongside milk feeds — iron stores from birth start running low around 6 months.

⚠️ When to call your pediatrician

Call your pediatrician if your baby has fewer wet diapers than usual or signs of dehydration, isn't gaining weight, a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, can't sit with any support or doesn't bear weight on legs when held, doesn't respond to sounds or their name, or shows no interest in people or play. Babbling typically becomes a checkpoint around 9 months, so if your baby isn't babbling or making sounds by then, raise it at the 9-month visit.

Frequently asked

How much should a 7-month-old eat?

Most 28-week-olds drink about 24-32 oz of breast milk or formula a day plus 1-2 small solid meals. Milk remains the primary source of nutrition, and solids are mainly for practice and extra iron.

How many naps does a baby take at 28 weeks?

Many 7-month-olds take 2-3 naps a day totaling about 2.5-4 hours, with wake windows of roughly 2.5-3.5 hours. Some babies are transitioning toward two naps around this age, but the timing varies widely.

Should my 7-month-old be crawling?

Not necessarily. Crawling isn't a required milestone, and many babies start moving anywhere from 7 to 10 months — some skip crawling entirely. Bring up any movement concerns at the 9-month checkup.

Looking for the bigger picture? See the month 7 overview →

General guidance, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace — talk to your pediatrician with any concerns.