sitting up

one of my LO's doesn't sit up all that well.
he's almost 8 months. i know everyone reaches milestones at different rates....but. should i be concerned and is there something i can do to 'help' him practice sitting up?
my DH told me he doesnt practice enough.
lol.

 

You could prop him up with pillows around him on the floor with a medium size ball in front of him (between his legs). You could set him on the floor with his back against the couch front. Not straight up but a little bit away so that when he tips back he will feel the couch.

You might also want to bring this question up to your Pedi at your next visit or call and ask about getting him evaluated through Early Intervention. EI is a great resource. Your child may not need the help but better to know he does not qualify than to not get him the help early enough to have the greatest benefit

 

Have you tried a bumbo seat? They are supposed to help the back muscles to help learn to sit up. We had one, and while I can't be 100% sure it was due to the seats, my girls started sitting up about a month after we got the seats.

 

I actually tried something that our EI specialist hadn't heard of. Sit him on the floor with his back along the couch (like the pp said) but while he's there, put pressure on his knees with your hands. It forces them to use the trunk muscles. Maybe that will help since he's already sitting with support (which I assume because you said he didn't do it "all that well").

 

My first question would be if your little guy was born full term or if he has adjusted age. Normally, they should be sitting unsupported by 9 months for sure. I agree with Cheryl that if he doesn't seem to be getting close, make sure and bring it up with your ped. There is no harm in getting early intervention if it is needed. The boppy is a great support for early sitters and give him some toys to keep him interested in sitting, rattles, stuffed puppies (our fav).

 

i know what you mean. he sits up by himself but doesn't stay for that long. he sits up for about 5 seconds to 7 seconds and then that's it. he plays with a ball and thats about it.
his brother sits and is able to play.

they were born at 35 weeks 5 days.
according to my pedi i didnt need to 'adjust' their ages.

 

I think "they" say sitting unsupported for 10 seconds is considered sitting unsupported, so he's almost there.

Being born at nearly 36 wks means that while you don't "have" to adjust, you do have 4 wks of leeway. So if he's having trouble at 9 months, when it's normal for most babies to be sitting, than technically you can give him until 10 months before it becomes a concern.

Since he's already doing it a little bit, you can practice as the pp's mentioned, with a boppy or other pillows around him, or against a couch. He'll get it!

My girl twin started sitting alone about 8.5 months, but my boy twin wasn't for several weeks to a month later. He was much to busy crawling around everywhere, which he started at 6 months. My girl twin didn't crawl until after she started sitting, at 9 months! Just because they are twins doesn't mean they'll do everything at the same time!

 

I still use the boppy even though my girls can sit unassisted. Sometimes they get really excited about something and fall over. I think it gives them the opportunity to use all of their muscles they need to sit up unassisted, but it cushions them if they tip over.

 

I agree that he should practice more. I practice with my son a lot and he is sitting up now, but not my daughter so now I do the same with her. First I reach her to hold my fingers to be pulled up from lying down into sitting position. Then I would just hold one hand and let her "wobble" as she tries to stabilize herself. I do that on the bed with one at a time in case they fall back, I let them because they would not get hurt but they seem to be naturally trying to stay up and I think that develops they muscles.

Also, just like you said, every baby is different and as I read from "What to Expect the First Year" you should be concerned if your baby is not sitting up by 9 months full-term. My friend's full-term son just started to sit up at 10 months and he started to crawl and walk all at the same time all of a sudden. Every baby has their time line I guess ;-)

Don't worry too much now, but do practice.

 

Actually from what you described I bet he will be sitting fine in the next couple weeks. I had one sitting unsupported at 7 1/2 mos. I used the boppy around the other until she sat on her own starting at 9 mos - when I was sure she just wouldn't let herself go. I think 5-7 secs is a long time. I did from time to time sit close to catch her and let her sit unsupported so she could feel how to use her muscles. I knew when she was ready because when she did fall over she would pull in those tummy muscles and kind of softly roll back. Then it was a while longer before she could get herself back to sitting...but it all happened so quickly once it happened. He sounds very very close.

 

Based on your second post, it sounds like all is well. I agree, he'll probably be sitting great in a couple of weeks.

 

If you're concerned of course bring it up with the ped, but my now 6 year old wasn't interested in staying still long enough to sit. He didn't sit on his own until well after he started crawling - about 10 months. He wanted to move and get stuff, not be still!