Reentry permit for travel less than an year

Thanks for your question.  I think that this is a common misunderstanding of the regulations regarding maintaining permanent residency.  A reentry permit is needed if you intend to remain outside the U.S. for more than one year.  Any trips outside of the U.S. for more than 180 days can raise the question of whether or not the resident intends to live in the U.S. permanently.  Generally, this issue will come up if the resident makes frequent trips for more than 180 days or when they apply for naturalization.  The naturalization application requires the resident to list all trips outside the U.S. since becoming a resident.  If the USCIS officer sees that the resident has been making frequent trips outside the U.S. for more than 180 days, the office may require additional proof that the resident has maintained his or her residency in the U.S., such as tax returns, leases, bank statements, etc. The scenario that you have described should not (remember there are no guarantees when applying for admission to the U.S.) cause your wife any issues when she returns to the U.S. in 7 months.   Congrautlations on the birth of your child! Mark