10 Tips to Teach Your Baby to Sit

By seven months of age, most babies can sit on the floor without support. Also, most are learning how to get in and out of sitting by themselves.

Here are 10 tips that will help you teach your baby how to sit:

1. Offer lots of floor time – Many babies spend too much time in a carrier, bouncy seat, or exersaucer-type device. Being constrained limits their freedom to move. Free your baby and allow movement on a floor.
2. Avoid Bumbo® or Upseat type seats – These seats prop your baby in the sitting position before your baby has the strength for that position. They do not teach your baby to sit earlier despite claims to the contrary. Sitting on the floor is the only way to properly strengthen all the muscles needed to master a stable sitting position.
3. Start with propped sitting – Sitting on the floor with your baby and keeping them safe from a hard fall is where to start. Practice a few minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Here is a helpful video>>CLICK HERE.
4. Minimize W-sitting – Some babies prefer to sit in a W-sitting position. This position prevents your baby from mastering multiple ways to get in and out of the sitting position. Plus, lots of W-sitting can also lead to hip and leg deformities later in life. To find out more, CLICK HERE
5. Learn how to roll – The muscles your baby uses to roll are the same ones needed to balance in the sitting position. If your baby has struggled in this area, there’s still time to work on it. Limited flexibility is a common reason many babies can not roll. So, make sure your baby has full range of motion in the neck and body. CLICK HERE to see how.
6. Stretch your baby’s torso – Many babies that hate tummy time or spend lots of time in carriers or similar equipment have tight torso muscles. A gentle rotational stretch helps your baby learn to roll. CLICK HERE for more.
7. Play in side-lying – Place your baby on their side to play. This position helps activate muscles in new ways. Too much time spent reclined in a carrier or similar equipment leads to weak and inactive muscles. WATCH A DEMO.
8. Ensure safe opportunities to fall and get back up – Part of learning to sit up is learning how to prevent a fall. As your baby gets stronger, you can put pillows or folded blankets around so she can take a safe tumble. She needs to learn how to catch herself and how to get back into a sitting position. This ability comes with trial and error.
9. Get into the hands and knees position – Some babies learn this position on their own and others may need a bit of help. It takes a lot of abdominal muscle strength and hip flexibility to get into this position. Babies often transition in and out of sitting using the hands and knees position. This video will guide you>> CLICK HERE
10. Practice a lot – Yes, this sounds redundant. However, it is surprising how often my recommendation to a mom is simply, “Your baby needs more practice.” Too much time spent constrained in a baby holding device limits your baby’s gross motor skill development. A few minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening can go a long way to help your baby.

These suggestions are general advice and may not work for your situation.  If your baby or you continue to struggle, seek direct assistance from your pediatrician or make an appointment with a pediatric physical therapist.

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(Photo credit: Adobe Stock)