When to worry if the baby is not sitting up? How to help baby sit up? When do babies sit up from lying down or crawl? Exercises to help baby sit up?
Sitting is one of the essential milestones. Or I would like to term it as a first step towards, crawling, walking, and it also leads the rest of the activities of the lives.
Hence, sitting unassisted is important for the baby.
Certainly, there come some fears that make you do proper research about the age when a baby starts sitting unassisted when to worry if a baby is not sitting up? How to help the baby sit up? When do babies sit up from lying down? There are a lot more.
But no worries, as you can make the most use of this article to get all your answers.
Even I would discuss the exercises to help the baby sit up.
It is a worth shot, isn’t it?
When Do Babies Sit Up and Crawl?
Here, you will learn, when do babies sit up and crawl.
Let’s start with the major questions, when the baby starts to sit up? When can babies sit themselves up?
Typically, by the age of around 9 months, the baby starts sitting unassisted and gets in and out of the sitting position. Also, by 12 months, your baby can perfectly sit independently.Â
To be noted, ensure that your baby is able to hold his head, which usually happens around the age of 2 months.
If you are searching for a 2 month old baby sitting position, then I would advise you, not to hurry. Because as I mentioned at the age of 2 months your baby would only learn to hold his head.
Hence, there is no 2 month old baby sitting position.
While, at the age of 4 months, your baby can hold the head himself and sit erect with support. Not only this but at the age of 6 months, your baby can also sit with some help, of course.
The next thing that your baby learns is rolling which is over as early as 4 months. So far, your baby would learn side to side rocking, and learn motions which are the foundation of rolling. However, by 6 months of age, your baby learns rolling in all directions.
As our main focus is sitting and crawling here, then your baby would learn to rock back and forth on their hands and knees by 6 months of age.
This is what is termed as the building block to crawl. At this time, you should definitely consider buying a baby activity table.
Typically, at the age of 9 months, your baby can crawl and creep. And at this age, some babies can even crawl like a commando by pulling themselves along with the floor with the help of their arms.
This begs a question when to worry if the baby is not sitting up?
That’s a problem of concern and is worthy to discuss,
When to Worry if Baby is not Sitting Up?
As I mentioned earlier, babies sit unassisted at the age of around 6-9 months. Hence, if your baby is not able to sit until now. I would advise you to visit the doctor.
When do babies sit up from lying down?
So, after some time, your baby sit up from lying down position around 7-9 months.
Not sitting is one of the important milestones that need your attention, because not sitting could be the primary sign of cerebral palsy. That is a neurological disorder that is responsible for the paralysis of muscular movement.
On top of it, according to the Birth Injury Guide Organisation, if your baby could not sit independently by the age of 4 years there might be chances that he would never be able to walk. Not only this, but it also suggests that the chances of living by the age of 20 years are only 40%.
Further, if your baby is able to sit unassisted by the age of 2 years, this would enhance the chances of living for more than 20 years by 95%. Above all, your tot would live quite a normal life, when it comes to education, relationships, and career.
Hey, don’t take tension. I’m here for your baby.
You must be wondering, how to help baby sit up?
No worries, here I’m mentioning the exercises to help baby sit up.
Ready?
How to Help Baby Sit Up?
Here is what you have to do,
1. Time to Play on Tummy!
Tummy time is crucial for strengthening the core, neck, and back of the baby. Not only this but it develops a foundation that will help the baby in sitting, rolling, crawling, and achieving other milestones.
It is very easy to perform, all you have to do is to put the baby on his stomach on a clean mat or blanket. Do not forget, only perform this exercise when the baby is awake and always keep an eye on the baby or hire a caregiver.
The best part is that you do not have to wait to perform the same, because you can perform this as soon as your little baby comes home.
To be noted, start with short sessions like 3-5 minutes and do perform this 2-3 times a day. Then with the growth of the baby, you can increase the duration up to 40-60 minutes.
To encourage the baby to move, you can use some toys as in an attempt to move and reach the toys, your baby’s muscles will be strengthened and he would also learn rolling, crawling, etc.
With this, you must be wondering when to stop tummy time?
You can stop tummy time as your baby start crawling which is around 7-9 months. On the other hand, your baby can still spend some time doing the same.Â
Here, if your baby falls asleep while tummy time, put the baby to sleep on his back. As it is suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics that babies should sleep on their back always.
2. Mom! Hold me in an Upright Posture
As you know, practice makes the man perfect. This is what your baby needs to do.
Being in an upright position the neck and head of the baby strengthens. However, do not forget to support the baby’s neck.
3. Pull me from Lying Position
Another one of the essential exercises to help the baby sit up is by pulling the baby from a lying position. It is easy to perform, simply when the baby is lying on the back, hold baby’s hands, and with all the care gently pull your baby up.
To encourage the baby you can make funny noises and faces. All baby loves this. As this is new and exciting for the baby.
Most importantly, this exercise would help the baby to recognize the movement needed to sit up.
To add, as your baby’s muscles gain strength you can let the baby sit. Do not forget to keep your arms close to the baby. This will prevent the baby from falling and also, place pillows or cushions around the baby.
You should also learn how to baby proof the house.
4. Time to Encourage the Baby with Props
Yes, to allow your baby to sit, you can use a prop that will enable the baby to use muscles. That is essential for the baby to sit. If I have to mention some, you can use a breastfeeding pillow or other pillows on which your tot can easily lean.
You know, your legs would be fine too, if you sit with your baby on the floor. But there comes a catch, you should not force the baby to sit, unless he/she shows some clues of sitting.
The reason behind this is that it can be tiring and make the baby inevitably cranky.
Not only this but also avoid putting the baby below 6 months in the stroller which does not recline. If you are wondering, why?
Then, here is your answer.
This prevents the baby from inhibiting movements such as moving, rolling, reaching, and wiggling. Also, if you are sitting on the floor, use a mat or carpet.
5. Let’s use some Toys
You can also buy one of the best toys to help the baby sit up. For instance, you can use stationary play centers, which is a perfect toy for a baby of 3-4 months. These are best as it provides ideal support to your tot to sit upright.
If not stationary centers, you can buy other alternative toys such as stacking toys, multiple stage booster seat, colorful cubes, balls, etc. As a baby sit, play with him by bouncing a ball or stacking toys.
6. It’s Time to Lie on Back
Like tummy time, back time is one of the best exercises to help the baby sit up. All you need is to let your baby lay on his back. Then, provide some toys to the baby to play with.
All this would help the baby to strengthen the neck and upper body muscles. Additionally, it is crucial for the chest, trunk, and abdominal muscles. And the bonus point is that you would soon notice that your baby is rolling over.
So far, you have understood how to help the baby sit up, the next topic is some other positions to help the baby sit up. These positions help the baby to sit.
Other Positions to Help Baby to Sit Up:
7. Come! Sit on the Chair
This is the best position to help the baby to sit with support. But that does not mean that you would avoid the upper body strength of the baby. Hence focus on the same.
If you are thinking of doing so, no problem! You can perform this exercise when your baby is 3-5 months old.
8. Try out the Tripod Position
I will start with this, it is the perfect position for a baby of 4-6 months. All you need is to allow your baby to sit on the floor, ensure to keep the legs of the baby apart. Then, to allow the baby to use his trunk, place a toy at an accessible distance.
9. Sit on Mammy’s or Daddy’s Lap
If your baby is 3-6 months old, this is one of the best positions to help the baby to sit. Simply, enable the baby to sit on a lap then change the support from the baby’s upper body to the lower body.
In order to do this, place your hands from the baby’s chest to the lower hips.
Also Read: How to Help Baby Walk Independently in Seconds?
10. Enjoy the Floortime baby
It is simple, you do not have to learn how to operate a rocket.
Adjust the pillow to support the baby to sit. You simply have to surround the baby with the pillows and to encourage the baby, you can place a toy. This would motivate the baby to grab the toy.
11. Laundry Basket or Box would be Helpful too
Yes! You can use these to help the baby sit.
I know it sounds a little crazy but it is worthy.
Let the baby sit in the laundry basket or box, ensure to support him from both sides. With that, also help your baby to balance himself while he is sitting in the box or laundry basket.
12. Baby Sit Between Mommies Legs
In this position, your legs would be the supporter. Sit with your baby on the floor then, support your tot with your legs.
In case your little one trips, he can use his hands for support. It is again, the perfect position for a baby of 4-5 months.
13. Let’s Try Ring Position
Ensure that you would perform this exercise once your baby is 6-8 months old.
Let the baby sit on the floor, keeping the legs apart but feet should be joined. This position will allow the baby to get good support and in case he trips he can support himself with his arms.
I’m sure, now you must be wondering, how would you know that your baby is ready to sit up. No worries, as I’m going to discuss some of the cues, that you have to follow and you would understand that your baby is ready to sit.
Cues to Follow to Understand that your Baby is Ready to Sit
Baby can roll and support his head in an upright position. To check whether your baby is ready to sit or not, all you need is to grab the baby’s hands when the baby is lying on his back.
Definitely, pull the baby slowly and gently.
If your baby’s head is falling backward then you have to wait for a while until your baby’s head follows the upper body doing the same.
Next topic would be, how you can encourage the baby to sit.
Also Read: How to Teach Baby to Talk (0-3 Year Old Baby)?👶
How to Encourage the Baby to Sit?
- When your tot sit on the floor for the first time, support his entire body
- Encourage the baby to play while lying on the stomach as much as possible. To make him look up, use some bright toys, noises, pull the baby’s face, or make sounds
- Provide some support, this will strengthen the muscles of the stomach and back
- Use play rings to support him while sitting, with this you can also place toys inside and outside to allow baby to play
- As your little one learns how to sit, he needs props on his hands. Hence, to teach the baby sitting up, use firm and sturdy toys this will allow him to lean
- Lessen the support as baby learns sitting
You must use these best activity table for babies. These are trusted by many organizations.
At last, I wanted to enlighten you with things to avoid when teaching baby how to sit.
Things To Avoid When Teaching the Baby How to Sit?
First of all, avoid letting the babysit on the swing and baby seats for a long time. As your baby is not able to move and for the proper development of your baby he needs to move. Also, avoid baby walkers for a long time.
And as I said, sitting for a long time in confined areas, hampers your baby’s growth and development.
And I’m sure, you do not want this.
Am I right?
Simply try out the exercises or sitting position to allow your tot to sit. Although, do not force your baby to sit. Wait for the right time by noticing the cues.
Conclusion
At last, I would say, all you need is to be careful and never leave your baby alone unless he learns how to sit unassisted.
As I mentioned, if your baby won’t be able to sit by 6-9 months, then you should contact the doctor instantly.
Do not always rely on third party toys or things. Push your baby or make him/her put some effort into doing work. That is what we are told always, right?
All you need is to put some extra time and efforts to help your baby to sit.
But it is all worthy.
Happy Parenthood!
