When Do Babies Sit Independently?

When Do Babies Sit Independently?

Sitting is a skill that will give your baby more independence when playing with toys and will help to support the transition to eating solid food. It helps babies to develop the upright postural control that is required for independent standing and walking. When babies learn to sit, they usually LOVE practicing this new skill since they can now see the world in a new way. It is important to still prioritize floor time (practicing tummy time and rolling), because this is how all of the next milestones will develop, including crawling and pulling to stand.

When will my baby sit up on his/her own?

Babies should be able to sit with support by 4-6 months, meaning that they are able to sit up with your hands helping them to maintain balance. By 6 months old, babies are typically able to sit up unassisted, with their hands on the surface for support. By 7-9 months, babies are typically able to sit upright without their hands on the surface and are able to reach for toys while sitting without falling over.

How can I help my baby learn to sit?

The most helpful way to help your baby learn to sit is to practice supported sitting with your hands on their trunk on a firm flat surface. Avoid using products such as a bumbo seat or sit-me-up chair - these devices will encourage your baby to lean into the surface behind them and round their spine, and this will make it harder for them to eventually sit up on their own. Make sure when you are practicing sitting, your baby’s bottom is behind their head, so that their trunk is leaning slightly forward. This will help them to develop the muscles in their neck and back that are needed for unsupported sitting.

To learn more about babies and containers, check out this blog post, where I go into depth on the importance of floor time and avoiding equipment like bumbo seats.

When should I be concerned about my baby not sitting up by himself/herself?

If your baby is not sitting independently by 8 months old, bring this up to your pediatrician at their well check or through a phone call to the office. If you notice that your baby is unable to hold his or her head up while sitting and needs a lot of assistance by 4-6 months, you can also bring up concerns to your pediatrician.