Is anyone else having a hard time getting their child to sit up?

Samantha - posted on 12/19/2011

I am having the same problem with my son, i thought he was just lazy but now i am starting to worry, Cause my daughter starting sitting up and rolling over at 4 & 5 months old. and he won't do either. And he wears a helmet for his plagyocypholy, and i thought that might have something to do with it but even when i take it off and work with him he still won't do it, His pediatrician has a son and he is almost 8 months old and he still won't roll over or anything and he said it is normal all babies develop at different times.

Heather - posted on 09/03/2010

I wonder if he throws himself back because he's used to having the bumbo or bouncer to help him sit. I would just keep working on it with him. Maybe less time in the bumbo and more time on the floor playing. I don't know. Just an idea.

Connie - posted on 09/03/2010

I would not worry about this at all. My second child started to sit on his own at 9 months (getting into position by himself). Did u know that u can actually damage their back by trying to get them to sit up without support before they have built up strength in the muscles. It will all happen in it's own time. My third child is almost 7 months old and isn't even rolling over yet but I am not at all worried coz in 12mths time it really won't make any difference. Between 18mths and 2yrs of age kids physical development tends to even out. Just enjoy your baby staying a baby, I know my baby is well behind others but she is happy and healthy so I am just enjoying her being a little bubby a bit longer than the other two were.

SONYA - posted on 09/01/2010

darling i wouldnt worry but i would ask the dr.but you must remember mostly boys are slower than girls

Tanya - posted on 09/01/2010

I agree that each child is different and he will sit when he is ready. Carry on spending time with him encouraging him to sit. Back and neck muscles are important, but so are tummy muscles/core muscles. Perhaps you can put him in a basket of some sort and tie a rope to the basket and pull him around. This is said to help babies with their core muscles as they sit back in the basket, but the pulling helps work the tummy muscles :)

Jacqueline - posted on 08/31/2010

your bubba will do it when he is ready. all children progress at different rates

Jill - posted on 08/30/2010

Adjusted age is for preemie's- for milestones you go by the date that they were supposed to be born which they call "adjusted age".

Kelly - posted on 08/30/2010

My son is almost 7 months but he started sitting assisted at 6 months, and now sits unassisted. Every baby is different and will do things on there own time. My son won't roll over, but can sit on his own makes no sense...So just give him some time.

Jayne - posted on 08/30/2010

with my dd, i was catching her everytime she went side ways, but then tried just sitting her up on carpet and a soft rug, and letting her fall (sounds awful, but i promise she only went really slowly sideways, it never hurt her) and within a few days she had learnt to sit unassisted.
my theory is that they need to learn a reason for sitting. if they topple themselves and get held before they get to the ground they think it's good to not sit.... maybe.... lol
but yeh worked for me
ps. was my mum's idea

HEIDI - posted on 08/29/2010

it's normal. My girl did that for a while and still does from time to time.

Vicky - posted on 08/28/2010

I had two boys before my girl and they did everything much later than she is doing them. I think it had to do with size. They probably weighed on average 3+ pounds more that her at the same age :-) Don't worry.

Avie - posted on 08/28/2010

i too had hard time getting my 6 months old to sit up until last two weeks. he was in his crib sleep and he woke up and just sat up. i couldn't believe it. now he can left himself to a standing position. at 6 months 2 weeks. dont worry. every baby does thing at his/her own time. just let him do his thing. let him have time time to play alone with his toys. It will just happen.

Susan - posted on 08/27/2010

my son is 6 months and a week and he wont sit up either. he trys to when he is laying on his back but when i sit him up he leans foward and grabs his feet then falls over. He will sit up in his swing, carseat,highchair anything that he doesnt need to sit up in lol. He does love to tand tho so i think he would rather be running then sitting still. Just be patience and try to sit him on your lap more so he gets used to sitting. If u are concerned about anything being wrong physical bring it up at his next appt.

Heather - posted on 08/27/2010

I wanna know what the difference is between birth and adjustment? ive never heard of that before?

Carol - posted on 08/27/2010

Don't worry every baby is different and they all seem to work on different things that they want to do. My little girl is 6.5 months and she is the same. However she spends all her time on her tummy on the floor trying to get up on her knees and crawl. She practises for hours a day! At my mothers group it's funny watching all the bubs coz they're all trying to do different things: some are trying to sit up, others are pushing themselves along backwards, rolling rolling and rolling, and trying to get up on all fours! So don't worry it will happen in his own time and he may be working on other skills first!

Jessica - posted on 08/27/2010

best advise i was given before i had my son is encourage them where they are at. it's good to try out the independant sitting up every few days but he might be wanting to do something else that w/o your help he might not thrive at. for instance my son is 29 weeks old and just start sitting by himself last week but he LOVES to stand, with my help of course, so i'd encourage him to sit but didn't force it on him or worry about it and instead spent more time holding him in a standing position since that's what he's interested in. same goes with potty training. don't force it- he's let you know when he's ready. it's allot more rewarding and less stressful for the both of you i've heard.

Ema - posted on 08/26/2010

Every child is diffrent, Mine likes to kick her legs straight too all you can to is encourage and they'l learn at thier own pace,they all learn diffrnet things diffrnet time like my eldest didnt start anyting resembled to words till she was close to 8 1/2 months, yet my yongest is only just 6 months and already saying dada, so dont push em let em go at own pace.:)

Deepti - posted on 08/26/2010

I think you should wait. He is too young. When he is ready, he will sit up on his own.

Nichole - posted on 08/25/2010

It may be that he just doesn't want to as opposed to can't. My 6 1/2 month old can sit just fine in her bouncer, highchair, shopping cart etc. But when I sit her in the floor, she does the same thing. She throws herself back, or sometimes forward. She has discovered that she can get around by scooting or rolling over and over, while she is on her belly and can even get up on her hands and knees now. It may be that your little boy prefers laying down because he has his sights set on all the stuff he wants, and realizes that sitting up isn't going to get him there! Lol! Every baby is different. My 1 year old was sitting by about 6 months but didn't figure out how to crawl until 10 months old. My oldest son never crawled but was walking by 10 months old. They don't always follow a perfect cookie cutter timeline of milestones.

Amanda - posted on 08/25/2010

My now 4 year old was sitting up at 5 months old and my now 6 month old can sit up but uses her arm to hold up her body. She also arches her back when she sits up and falls back and the same when she's in her bumbo. But my 6 month old has Spina Bifida and I think it might be uncomfortable for her to sit up. Just wait for what the doctor says because they will be able to watch them and in 30 secs be able to tell you whether you should worry or not.
Good luck

Angelita - posted on 08/25/2010

My guy will be 7 months on the 2nd as well. I didn't know he should have been sitting until I started reading about other kids 4 and 5 mo already sitting. So I started to work with him a week ago but he just kept falling. I put him in a shopping cart w/o his carseat and the straps held him up. Well after that he started sitting. First I put him against the couch and opened his legs and once he was not tipping to the sides I started working on his back by putting toys between his legs and pillows around him. It was cute watching him learn.

Eva-May - posted on 08/25/2010

My little guy will be 7 months on the 2nd of Sept..and he doesnt really sit by hinself either...he will for a bit but not long..but he is crawling so he is always on the go....cant sit still!!! Give it time, all babies are different...dont compare with others, just take advantage of your time with him!!!!

Nicole - posted on 08/24/2010

My 6.5 mos son can sit up assisted and wants to learn. he's the 3rd so I realize now that all babies do stuff at different times, no worries!

Mel - posted on 08/24/2010

I would make sure he has plenty of tummy time - even though they usually protest. He won't be able to throw himself back in that postion, and it will strengthen his stomach muscles. I wouldn't worry yet, but definitely bring it up to the pediatrician at your next visit.

Tina - posted on 08/19/2010

i would use a bumbo with him but dont worry he will in his own time lol--- my lil girl is 6 months can stand up and somewhat sit up--but cant roll over yet but like in ur case its not bc she cant is bc she dont have no interest in doing so--- i call her my lil lazy bones----she should have been rolling over at like 4 months lol

Nicole - posted on 08/19/2010

Also, he's been in the bumbo seat a while, but doesn't even like that. He definitely has the back strength, just does not want anything to do w/sitting. He can almost push himself completely outta the bumbo seat by straigtening his back and leaning back. Thanks for all input ladies.

Nicole - posted on 08/19/2010

My son is 6 mths. from birth, not sure was 6 mths. from adjusted means?

Cassandra - posted on 08/18/2010

Hi, My little one is 6 months, and he can sit up assisted but only just! I have heard that putting babies in bumbo seats and chairs etc can actually hinder their ability to do it themselves, and build the necessary muscle strength to do it. My bubs hated 'tummy time' but we persisted with a tiny bit lots each day and now loves it. Since then his neck and back muscles are a lot stronger and the sitting has improved. Maybe this will help??? I do think little ones just do it in their own time and its still quite early to be worried. He will get there soon! Goodluck

Katrina - posted on 08/18/2010

My daughter Abby has just turned 6months and has no desire what so ever to sit up. Even hard to convince her sometimes to bend so she can be sitting on someones kneelol. guess she'll get round to it but I not worried as she's only 31/2 months adjusted so got plenty of time. is your boy 6months adjusted or from birth? this could play a role as it is with my bub. plus kids do things in there own time so dont be too focused on what another child has done or by what the books say as they only a guide to be taken loosely. My god son walked at 9months but a friends girl not till 16months and both are perfectly normal kids so dont panic!

Nicole - posted on 08/18/2010

Also, even when he's in his bumbo seat, he'll try to lean back and almost can get out of it, because he seems to hate sitting up straight.