Answer: Hi,
This is a reasonably common concern with parents of babies in this age-group. In the first 12 months of life an important developmental milestone is achieved where babies learn who they can trust and who will provide them with security. At 7 months separation anxiety tend to be seen and you may find that he is a little more clingy and wants you only at this age. For him to get sudden frights and be scared of unfamiliar noise is all part and parcel of the same thing.
He is likely to get frightened in situations which are not familiar to him and which he perceives as being new. The way to manage this is to be emotionally available, give him lots of cuddles and reassurance but don’t try to insulate his environment too much. Noise, action and business is part and parcel of life and through exposure he will learn that the world is a reasonably safe place to be in.
He will look to you as a secure base from which to venture. This is important and will help his emotional development. Some children are just a little more sensitive and temperamental than others. This will be evident in his personality, perhaps as he gets older. Their startle reflex is quite pronounced. This is a survival reflex, and the only one of the primitive reflexes which lingers throughout life. You’ll need to wait and see but for now, just be reassuring with him and by your role-modelling you will teach him that sudden noise is a part of life.
Cheers
Jane