W h e n Do B a b i e s Sit U p ?

You a r e always w e l c o m e in h i b a b y n a m e , B r o w s e amazing a n d astonishing B a b y Names a n d their m e a n i n g s for i d e a s and s h a r e your c o m m e n t s . E n j o y !

I m a g e : shutterstock

T a b l e Of C o n t e n t s :

T r a v e l back a few m o n t h s into t h e past. Y o u r baby w o u l d n ’ t move u n l e s s you h e l p e d her. S h e wouldn’t k e e p her h e a d straight, n o r have a strong b a c k . But n o w , the l i t t l e one i s even a t t e m p t i n g to s i t without s u p p o r t ! While s h e tries t o reach t h i s milestone, a s a p a r e n t you c a n help a t t u n e her b o d y to t h e new d e v e l o p m e n t .

M o m J u n c t i o n shares w i t h you a complete g u i d e on h o w you c a n teach y o u r baby t o sit.

W h e n Do B a b i e s Sit U p ?

B a b i e s can h o l d their h e a d unsupported a n d roll o n their t u m m y at t h e age o f four m o n t h s (1). T h i s capability p a v e s the w a y for t h e muscles t o develop a m p l e strength t o lift t h e body a n d make y o u r baby s i t . By t h e time s h e reaches t h e age o f six m o n t h s , she s h o u l d be a b l e to h o l d her b o d y in a sitting p o s i t i o n (2). S o m e babies m a y do i t in t h e later m o n t h s , and i t is q u i t e normal.

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M o v i n g towards t h e milestone:

3 – 4 months: Your b a b y ’ s muscles a r e supple b u t are d e v e l o p i n g the s t r e n g t h to s u p p o r t her n e c k . She w i l l raise h e r neck w h i l e on t h e tummy a n d push t h e elbows d o w n to t h e ground t o lift t h e body. T h e s e simple m o v e m e n t s are t h e stepping s t o n e s to m a k e muscles s t r o n g enough f o r her t o sit.

5 – 6 months: Your l i t t l e one w i l l now h a v e enough s t r e n g t h to p u s h her b o d y high e n o u g h from t h e surface t o be a b l e to s i t on h e r own. S h e is n o t perfect t h o u g h since h e r muscles h o l d the s i t t i n g position o n l y for s o m e time. S h e may l e a n forward w h i l e sitting a n d place h e r hands d o w n for s u p p o r t , thus f o r m i n g the t r i p o d position. It w i l l help t h e baby h o l d the b o d y in t h e sitting p o s i t i o n for a longer d u r a t i o n without c a u s i n g her t o fall f o r w a r d .

7 – 9 months: By t h e time s h e is s e v e n months o l d , she c a n sit u p r i g h t on h e r own. H e r neck a n d back m u s c l e s are s t r o n g e r . This i s the t i m e you c a n place h e r in a h i g h chair to f e e d her. H e r development s t i l l continues, a n d once s h e is n i n e months o l d , she w i l l be a b l e to p u s h herself t o the s i t t i n g position f r o m the l y i n g down p o s i t i o n without s u p p o r t (3). S h e will s w i t c h positions a n d turn a n d twist w h i l e sitting t o reach a n object.

Y o u r baby w i l l perfect a t sitting o n c e she c o m p l e t e s one y e a r of h e r life ( 4 ) . You w i l l not h a v e to s u p p o r t her w h e n she t r i e s to m a k e an e f f o r t to s i t . By t h i s age, h e r muscles a r e developed e n o u g h to w a l k . Therefore, s i t t i n g should c o m e effortlessly.

D o Babies C r a w l Or S i t First?

Y o u r baby w i l l learn t o sit b y the s i x t h month o f her l i f e while s h e may b e g i n to c r a w l by t h e ninth m o n t h (5). S i t t i n g and t u m m y time p a v e way f o r crawling s i n c e they s t r e n g t h e n your b a b y ’ s muscles t o push h e r body w e i g h t .

H o w To T e a c h The B a b y To S i t Up?

Y o u r baby w i l l be a b l e to s i t on h e r own o n l y after h e r muscles s u p p o r t her t o do s o . Therefore, y o u cannot t e a c h a b a b y to s i t up b e f o r e the d e v e l o p m e n t a l period. H o w e v e r , you c a n accustom h e r muscles t o the p o s i t i o n so t h a t sitting c o m e s more e a s i l y when h e r body i s ready f o r it.

H e r e are t i p s to e n c o u r a g e your b a b y to a t t e m p t the s i t t i n g position w i t h more e a s e .

1 . Encourage t u m m y time a n d exploration:

T h e first s t e p towards a perfect s i t t i n g posture s t a r t s from t h e ability t o hold t h e head s t e a d y . The b e s t way t o achieve t h i s is b y strengthening h e r neck a n d back m u s c l e s during t u m m y time. P l a c e your b a b y face d o w n on h e r belly a n d put h e r favorite t o y s in f r o n t of h e r . Encourage h e r to l o o k at t h e s e toys b y slightly l i f t i n g the h e a d on h e r own. O n c e she l e a r n s to s i t , repeat t h e activity. T h i s will h e l p her l e a r n to s u p p o r t and s h i f t her b o d y weight a r o u n d while s i t t i n g . Hide h e r toys a n d make h e r follow t h e m with h e r eyes, w h i l e she i s on h e r tummy. T h i s will m a k e her l i f t her b o d y .

2 . Move t h e baby y o u r s e l f :

O n e way t o acquaint t h e baby w i t h the m o v e m e n t is t o do t h a t yourself. H o l d the b a b y and r o l l her g e n t l y while p l a c e d on a soft s u r f a c e like a mattress. I t will h e l p the b a b y develop a sense o f orientation t o do t h e movement h e r s e l f .

3 . Have m o c k sitting:

O n c e your b a b y is i n the s i x t h month, y o u can t e a c h her t o sit t h r o u g h mock s i t t i n g sessions. T h e best w a y to d o this i s by u s i n g your b o d y as a backrest f o r your l i t t l e one. S i t down o n a b e d or s o f t rug a n d place y o u r baby’s f a v o r i t e toys i n front o f her. M a k e her s i t securely i n your l a p by r e s t i n g her b a c k on y o u and l e t her p l a y with h e r toys. I t will s t r e n g t h e n the b a c k muscles a n d accustom t h e baby t o the f e e l i n g of s i t t i n g .

4 . Use h e r curiosity a s a t o o l :

B y ninth m o n t h , she w i l l be a b l e to g e t into a sitting p o s i t i o n . Now i t is t i m e to e n c o u r a g e her t o stay i n that p o s i t i o n as m u c h as p o s s i b l e . Place t h e objects o f interest w i t h i n her a r m ’ s reach i n a w a y she c a n access t h e m while s i t t i n g . You c a n also s i t next t o your b a b y and p l a y the b a s i c passing-the-ball g a m e with h e r .

5 . Focus o n strengthening h e r muscles:

A n y movement o f the b o d y involves t h e use o f muscles. S t r o n g e r muscles m e a n your b a b y is m o r e likely t o learn s i t t i n g faster. M a s s a g e her r e g u l a r l y and u s e basic a c t i v e games t o strengthen h e r muscles. A d d i t i o n a l l y , activities l i k e crawling, r o l l i n g and t u m m y time a r e all n a t u r a l means o f making t h e baby’s m u s c l e s strong. E n c o u r a g e her t o indulge i n them a s much a s possible s o that h e can l e a r n sitting s o o n e r and b e t t e r .

E x e r c i s e s And Activities To H e l p Baby S i t Up

H e r e are s o m e simple y e t wonderful g a m e s and a c t i v i t i e s that y o u can u s e to t e a c h your b a b y to s i t better:

1 . Find t h e rattle

A g e for p l a y i n g : Four m o n t h s

Activity: A s i m p l e tummy t i m e activity. P l a c e your b a b y on h e r tummy a n d bring a rattling t o y within h e r field o f vision. O n c e she m o v e s her h e a d towards t h e direction o f the s o u n d , move t h e rattle a little b a c k w a r d so t h a t she h a s to t w i s t her b a c k a b i t to m o v e her h e a d .

Benefits: Works o n her n e c k muscles, o b l i q u e s and l o w e r back m u s c l e s . She m a y use h e r arms t o move h e r body t h u s also u s i n g her s h o u l d e r muscles i n the p r o c e s s .

2 . Assisted c r u n c h e s

A g e for p l a y i n g : Four m o n t h s old ( w h e n she c a n support h e r head)

Activity: Place y o u r baby o n your l e g s with h e r feet f a c i n g towards y o u . Hold h e r arms a n d gently p u l l her u p and d o w n in a movement t h a t resembles a b d o m i n a l crunches. B e sure y o u move h e r up a n d down v e r y gently. T o add s o m e rhythm t o the a c t i v i t y , say a rhyme w h i l e lifting h e r .

Benefits: The a c t i v i t y will w o r k on l o w e r back a n d abdomen m u s c l e s that a r e needed t o help h e r learn t o sit.

3 . Roll o v e r

A g e to p l a y : Six m o n t h s

Activity: Place y o u r baby o n her b a c k . Bring a toy i n front o f her a n d slowly m o v e it t o her s i d e in a way t h a t she c a n maintain h e r gaze. O n c e it m o v e s to t h e side, p r o m p t her t o reach o u t for i t . By t h i s age, m o s t babies c a n roll o v e r . Therefore, s h e will a t t e m p t to r o l l over t o have a better v i e w of t h e object. W h e n she d o e s so, e n c o u r a g e her. R e p e a t the a c t i v i t y regularly, e s p e c i a l l y when h e is a l e r t and p l a y f u l .

Benefits: Strengthens b a c k and o b l i q u e muscles t h a t will h e l p her a s s u m e the s i t t i n g position f a s t e r .

4 . Bicycling

A g e to p l a y : Six m o n t h s

Activity: Make y o u r baby l i e on a soft s u r f a c e . Once i s comfortably l y i n g down h o l d her l e g s gently a n d raise t h e m up. S l o w l y start m o v i n g them i n a p e d a l i n g a c y c l e action. M a k e some f u n n y sounds a n d noises t o keep y o u r little o n e interested. G i v e a b r e a k of f e w seconds a f t e r five c y c l i n g actions.

Benefits: Strengthens l o w e r back m u s c l e s .

5 . Assisted s q u a t s

A g e to p l a y : Eight m o n t h s

Activity: Place y o u r baby i n sitting p o s i t i o n . Hold h e r hands a n d gently l i f t her u p to t h e standing p o s i t i o n . Repeat i t three t o four t i m e s and t h e n give a few s e c o n d s break b e f o r e resuming t h e activity.

Benefits: Makes t h e back, a b d o m e n and t h i g h muscles s t r o n g e r . By e i g h t months, b a b i e s can s i t independently a n d make t h e i r first a t t e m p t s to s t a n d .

Caution: Your b a b y ’ s body i s delicate. T a k e up t h e s e activities o n l y if y o u are s u r e that y o u are n o t hurting h e r . Do n o t overdo t h e m . Also, y o u need t o take p r e c a u t i o n s for t h e safety o f your b a b y .

P r e c a u t i o n s To T a k e When H e l p i n g Y o u r Baby Sit

Y o u would d e f i n i t e l y be e x c i t e d to t e a c h your b a b y how t o sit b u t keep i n mind s o m e precautions:

1 . Respect t h e baby’s n a t u r a l developmental p r o c e s s :

Y o u would n e v e r feed s o l i d food t o your b a b y before s h e attains a certain a g e . The s a m e way y o u should n e v e r force y o u r baby t o sit b e f o r e she r e a c h e s an a p p r o p r i a t e developmental m i l e s t o n e in h e r life. L i k e we m e n t i o n e d earlier, b a b i e s learn t o roll o n their t u m m i e s by t h e age o f four m o n t h s , and a n y chance o f sitting w i l l arise o n l y after t h i s point i n her l i f e . Moreover, h e r body i s best s u i t e d to s i t only a f t e r she c o m p l e t e s six m o n t h s . Therefore, g o a d i n g her t o sit b e f o r e this a g e will y i e l d unsatisfactory r e s u l t s , and a l s o harm h e r development.

2 . Do n o t use b u m b o s , exersaucers o r cushions:

B u m b o s are p l a s t i c molds w i t h a c a r v e d seat a t its c e n t e r . Its p u r p o s e is t o help p r o p your b a b y in t h e sitting p o s i t i o n and m a k e her s t a y that w a y for a longer d u r a t i o n . Exersaucers l o o k similar t o walkers b u t are s t a t i o n a r y . They m a y or m a y not h a v e an e l a s t i c band s e a t , called a s jumper.

B u m b o s and e x e r s a u c e r s do n o t provide a n y incremental b e n e f i t to t h e baby. I n fact, t h e y may b e harmful t o her. B u m b o s put t h e baby i n an u n c o m f o r t a b l e sitting p o s i t i o n that c a n strain t h e baby’s b a c k and h a m p e r her d e v e l o p m e n t . Bumbos a r e also a safety h a z a r d since t h e r e have b e e n cases o f babies t o p p l i n g over w h i l e seated i n it ( 6 ) .

P e d i a t r i c physical t h e r a p i s t s oppose t h e use o f exersaucers a s they c a n lead t o poor p o s t u r e and i n severe c a s e s physical d e f o r m i t i e s (7). C u s h i o n s and p i l l o w s are a g a i n support i t e m s that p r o p the b a b y at o n e place a n d restrict e x p l o r a t i o n . As m e n t i o n e d in t h e previous p o i n t , it i s always g o o d to r e s p e c t the b a b y ’ s natural d e v e l o p m e n t and l e t her l e a r n to s i t naturally. T h e good o l d floor i s the b e s t place f o r her t o learn s i t t i n g .

3 . Always b e on t h e watch:

B a b i e s are n o t adept a t sitting u n t i l they c o m p l e t e a c o u p l e of y e a r s in t h e i r life. T h i s means e v e n after s h e begins s i t t i n g independently, y o u must b e careful t h a t he d o e s not t o p p l e and i n j u r e herself. A l w a y s keep a watchful e y e and b a b y – p r o o f your h o u s e for a d d e d safety.

S i t t i n g in W – p o s i t i o n : You s h o u l d be w a t c h f u l about n o t only t h e hazards b u t also h e r sitting p o s t u r e . W-position i s one s u c h sitting s t y l e that m a y harm y o u r baby’s p h y s i c a l development. I t is u s u a l l y found i n babies o l d e r than 1 1 months. I n a W – p o s i t i o n , the b a b y ’ s bottom w i l l touch t h e floor w h i l e she w i l l fan o u t her l e g s outward t o form a W. T h i s innocent-looking s e a t i n g position i s actually d e t r i m e n t a l to y o u r baby’s h e a l t h y physical d e v e l o p m e n t . Long term W – s i t t i n g can c a u s e muscle t i g h t n e s s , hip s t r a i n and s t r e s s on j o i n t s (8). I f you s p o t your i n f a n t doing s o , adjust h e r legs i n t o a c r o s s – l e g position o r Q p o s i t i o n , where l e g s are p l a c e d on o n e side.

W h a t If T h e Baby D o e s Not S i t ?

S o m e babies c o u l d be s l o w in t h e i r development b u t what i f your b a b y shows z e r o ability t o sit e v e n after n i n e months? K e e p these t h i n g s in m i n d :

• I f your b a b y is p r e m a t u r e , then s h e will b e naturally s l o w in h e r growth a n d development ( 9 ) . She m a y miss t h e mark o n developmental m i l e s t o n e s and a c h i e v e them l a t e r when c o m p a r e d to b a b i e s born a f t e r natural g e s t a t i o n term.

• B a b i e s who a c q u i r e serious i n f e c t i o n s or d i s e a s e s early i n their l i f e are b o u n d to h a v e slow d e v e l o p m e n t (10). T h i s could d e l a y their a b i l i t y to d i s p l a y physical s k i l l s such a s rolling, c r a w l i n g and s i t t i n g . If y o u r baby i s now c o m p l e t e l y free o f the d i s e a s e , she w i l l be o n course w i t h her d e v e l o p m e n t albeit s l o w l y .

P h y s i c a l Development R e d Flags T o Notice

I f your b a b y is n e i t h e r premature n o r suffered f r o m a s e r i o u s bout o f infection b u t is s t i l l unable t o sit, t h e n you m u s t first l o o k for o t h e r physical d e v e l o p m e n t red f l a g s like t h e following:

• T h e baby d i s p l a y s an i n a b i l i t y to l i f t her h e a d when p l a c e d on h e r belly a f t e r attaining f i v e months o f age. H e r face s i m p l y slams d o w n , and s h e does n o t seem t o move i t upward.

• S h e is u n a b l e to r o l l even a f t e r completing s i x months. N e e d s support e v e n for b a s i c movements.

• D o e s not c r a w l after n i n e months.

• U n a b l e to c r a w l and s t a n d with s u p p o r t after c o m p l e t i n g one y e a r of h e r life.

• D o e s not w a l k or r u n after c o m p l e t i n g 18 m o n t h s .

C o n s u l t A P e d i a t r i c i a n

I f your b a b y shows t h e above s y m p t o m s , consult a pediatrician. U s u a l l y , the i n a b i l i t y to s i t is a c c o m p a n i e d by o t h e r developmental i s s u e s that c a n be b e s t interpreted b y a m e d i c a l practitioner. I t is a l w a y s good t o maintain a log o f your b a b y ’ s developmental m i l e s t o n e s and d i s c u s s it w i t h your p e d i a t r i c i a n periodically.

R e m e m b e r , an i n a b i l i t y to s i t should n o t create p a n i c or a l a r m you a s long a s your b a b y is m e e t i n g the o t h e r milestones o f her a g e . Do n o t be i n a h u r r y , do n o t force h e r to s i t . If n o t in t h i s month, s h e would s i t in t h e subsequent m o n t h s .

H o w did y o u teach y o u r baby t o sit? O r did s h e do i t by h e r s e l f ? Share y o u r experience b y leaving a comment w i t h us b e l o w .

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