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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think my 8 month old should be able to sit?

24 replies

TheGoogleMum · 17/07/2019 17:37

My 8 month old is not good at sitting. She can sit unassisted for a few seconds before losing balance, but most of the time she has no interest and wont try to sit (intentionally throwing herself back, wriggling down if being held, going rigid if being put down in sitting position). All the other babies her age we know seem to be excellent sitters so although I know it isn't that unusual it feels like she's behind and can't interact the same way (e.g a recent trip to beach the other babies sat nicely while mine rolled around and ate sand) Any tips to help with sitting? She can roll very well and is is it starting to commando crawl a bit (but mostly rolls still). Do play nests actually help?

OP posts:

Doodledoom · 17/07/2019 17:41

She's not ready yet, she will sit when she has developed the muscles to support herself sitting up and is confident in herself to do it.

My two couldn't sit up until they were over 9 months. Some babies just take more time than others.

As much time on the floor doing belly time etc is more beneficial than anything to help the muscles build up for sitting.

Terramirabilis · 17/07/2019 17:41

My nearly 12 month old has only just occasionally started sitting himself up although he's been able to hold a sitting position if placed in it for quite a while. In his case he's very very tall with a big head but fairly low in weight. Dr said he was just more top heavy and higher center of gravity than most babies so it's harder. Could that be the case for your baby?

BertieBotts · 17/07/2019 17:42

No but at least the play nest won't harm, like a bumbo does.

Don't worry, my DS1 never sat until 9 months either, it was a bit of a pain tbh and made those months really tricky as he wanted to play with toys but couldn't sit there and manage it. DS2 sat much earlier and it made a big difference to that stage. But don't worry you're almost there. If she can sit up for a few seconds then it won't be long before that lengthens.

DS1 is ten now and nobody notices that he was the baby who couldn't sit up any more :) in fact he rarely ever sits still so I assume it just didn't hold very much interest to him as a milestone!

Your health visitor will ask about it at the 9 month or one year check, whichever you have in your area. If she's still not doing it when you have the check up you can ask for advice.

jaseyraex · 17/07/2019 17:43

I was exactly you about a month ago! My DS1 sat by himself when he was 6 months. DS2 still wasn't sitting at 9 months and it worried me, he was also commando crawling. He's almost 11 months now and started sitting about 3 weeks ago. Completely out of nowhere just pushed himself up and sat quite the thing! Now he's pulling himself up to standing. They really do just do these things when they're ready. I would just try and play with her sitting between your legs for as long as she's happy to, she'll get there.

cestlavielife · 17/07/2019 17:46

Might be worth a review with a physio if still not sitting in a month time. Physio can suggest specific trunk strengthening exercises e.g. using a roller...Get advice..

For now let her be she is a baby exploring. Babies eat sand.

Pinktinker · 17/07/2019 17:59

Every baby develops differently. Please don’t pressurise yourself based on what other babies are doing, your baby is an individual and is most likely perfectly alright.

MustBeAWeasly · 17/07/2019 18:05

Dd didn't sit till 11 months and didn't crawl till 13 months. She's only just pulling herself up at 15 months.
She did it all when she was ready. don't worry it'll happen in time!

Soconfusedandlost · 17/07/2019 18:36

I'm so glad you asked as I have been having an argument with myself for 2 months.

My DD(3) sat at 6 months. My DS (8months) has no interest in sitting and when we practice he leans to one side to slide down the pillow. So glad this is normal as he has had problems with low weight since birth and was hospitalised for this and I worry it out him behind where he should be. You guys give me hope xx

Thistimetomorrow · 17/07/2019 18:46

Your DC will sit up, crawl and walk all in their own time. My DS was exactly the same. Late sitting up, crawled commando style and didn’t walk until he was 18 months.

kmammamalto · 17/07/2019 18:51

I don't know how to ask this but is she on the chunky side?! In the best possible way of course!
My DS was (still is) lovely and chunky and struggled with sitting up because of his chub but did manage it he just needed to be a bit propped forward more may be! I wouldn't worry too much. Lots of reasons why or why not and then suddenly she will and you will wonder why you worried! Good luck!

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 17/07/2019 18:56

My ds only sat unassisted recently and he is 1. First ds was sitting by 6 months.

BertieBotts · 17/07/2019 19:07

I think it's 10 months you're supposed to seek advice if they can't sit for a few minutes when placed there.

AlessandraAsteriti · 17/07/2019 19:17

the other babies sat nicely while mine rolled around and ate sand
I think I like yours best.

blackcat86 · 17/07/2019 19:23

Firstly dont worry as my DD did exactly the same and now at 11 months she sits perfectly. Let her practice sitting between your legs for as long as she can. Encourage her to play in general to build her muscles. I found that a jumperoo encouraged her to be upright a bit. DD also used to just push herself down back to laying down so she could roll and from 10 months she suddenly sat fine.

SlackerMum1 · 17/07/2019 19:31

Thing is baby’s don’t get given the manual so have no idea what they’re ‘supposed’ to be doing. I was worried DD couldn’t roll - she was sitting solidly from 4/5 months but rolled over twice around that time and then didn’t do it again till more like 11 months.... Basically just because they can do something there is no guarantee they will unless they want to. If she’s rolling and commando crawling it’s more likely that she’s more interested in getting on the move and not too bothered about sitting up. DD also never really crawled either, I waited and worried for ages until she just sorted of got up and started walking at about 13 months!

Pinktinker · 17/07/2019 19:32

Every baby develops differently. Please don’t pressurise yourself based on what other babies are doing, your baby is an individual and is most likely perfectly alright.

Rtmhwales · 17/07/2019 20:05

Mine was like this. Then he decided at 11 months to sit, stand, crawl and walk all in the space of about three weeks. Babies are crazy (and in my case, lazy).

user1493413286 · 17/07/2019 20:07

My DD was like that; she didn’t really sit until 12 months because she wanted to be on the go exploring things and playing. They can’t do everything at the same time and I don’t think it’s a bad thing if they want to be on the go

Greywillow12 · 17/07/2019 20:14

Don't worry my DD didn't sit until 10 months

InsertFunnyUsername · 17/07/2019 20:20

I feel your pain. Not with the sitting but my DD did not attempt to crawl until just after her 1st bday, the more i tried the more she refused.

Sound cliché but they will do it in their own time, one day my DD crawled then a week later walked, i thought it would never happen and felt so down about it when around other babies who seemed to be able to skydive by 10 months. Might be worth speaking to your HV for reassurance, i did and they were a great help.

TheHandsOfNeilBuchanan · 17/07/2019 20:32

DS is seven months, crawling fairly consistently, falls over sideways when sitting, usually because he's lunging here there and everywhere and wants back onto his front so he can escape. He also stands when placed quite comfortably when holding onto the sofa, footstool, coffee table, hands etc. HV said he's not interested in sitting because he's not interested in being still, he's very strong. My DN is a month older, he sits beautifully when placed, but doesn't even really roll over. You say your DC is always wriggling, moving etc maybe it's the same as my DS, you've got a mover!

Lazypuppy · 17/07/2019 20:34

My dd didn't sit till about 10months, didnXt crawl till 14months and is only walking now at 18 months 🤷‍♀️

Its been so much easier than my friends babies who did everything earlier!!

Original poster

TheGoogleMum · 17/07/2019 20:45

She definately is a mover, rolling everywhere (so not easier than the ones that sit!). I do like that she's adventurous (she's always rolling away being friendly to others) but it would be nice if she would sit for a minute so I could have a break from collecting her from the opposite side of the room...

OP posts:

deste · 17/07/2019 20:45

My GD didn’t sit till about 9 months, can roll a bit but just sits in the same spot unless she topples over. She does have a great vocabulary for her age 10.5 months though. We have been told they either talk or move, we have a talker. I’m not sure if it’s true but it keeps us happy. We are not in the least bit worried.

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