Sitting up is an important developmental milestone. Gross motor skills build on each other, allowing the next stage of development to occur. Sitting upright and unsupported is an important step in learning to walk. Additionally, babies need to be able to sit without support in order to safely start eating solid food.
Babies usually sit up unassisted between 7 and 9 months of age. All babies are different, so there may be differences in exactly when each baby learns to sit up.
Signs That Your Baby Is Ready to Sit Up
Prior to learning to sit, your baby will need to have good head control and learn to push themselves up, and rollover. In order for babies to truly master sitting upright, they need to be able to move from lying down to a sitting position and not need the support of pillows or other objects.
How Can You Help Your Baby Learn to Sit Up?
You can start tummy time exercises by placing your baby on their stomach for short periods of time when they are awake, starting from early weeks of life, Exercising on the tummy regularly and for increasingly longer periods of time will help your baby develop the core and neck strength needed to eventually be able to sit without support.
When to Consult a Doctor?
All babies are different. Some babies start sitting as early as 4 months old, while others may take until 9 months to reach this milestone.If your baby does not sit unsupported by 9 months, you can consult your doctor.
Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). Movement: Babies 8 to 12 Months. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Movement-8-to-12-Months.aspx
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Starting Solid Foods. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Developmental Milestones: 7 Months. https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Developmental-Milestones-7-Months.aspx
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). Movement Milestones: Babies 4 to 7 Months. https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Movement-4-to-7-Months.aspx
