sitting up

[Bo]

My 7 mth old baby shows no signs of sitting up. I know all kids are different - but my first sat at 5 months and we're both getting frustrated.

Any ideas on encouraging sitting - apart from a Galt play nest?
What are your experiences in terms of when your babies could? I'm getting fedup of people saying 2ndkids do things earlier - not the case for me!

Bo I can't offer you any advice specifically about sitting up but as for second children doing things earlier, this hasn't been the case for my sons.

All along my toddler has done things at his own pace and in his own way. For instance, he was an early walker and his balance, spacial awarenessa and manual dexterity are definitely better than his brothers were at the same age.
However, his talking is at least 9 months behind - and his first words were vastly different and a lot less clear - though he's getting there!

I try and see his development pattern as individual to him - while keeping aware of general developmental milestones.

I dont think my son sat up until he was around 6 months after lots of practice with us holding him then he just got it, but he was always much more interested in standing. Now at 10 months he doesnt crawl, just rolls around but will happily walk while holding your hand. So he hasnt done things as alot of people expect but he his himself and will do things in his own way at his own time. I wouldnt worry, in the next couple of weeks he will probably just sit there all on his own Lots of cushions to prop up might work, my son often sat with cushions or pillows all around him.

Bo - according to most of the books I've read babies sit up around 7 months so there is no hurry. Some do earlier. From experience I would say that heavier babies take longer generally because they have larger heavier heads. Don't think you can encourage a child to sit up - just be patient.

bo, i wouldn't worry about him not sitting by himself yet, but if he is getting really frustrated and cross lying down, maybe you could think about getting a walker - or one of the new-fangled stationary devices which i understand you can get now (i can't keep up with this new technology) just so he can play sitting up?

one of mine was late with all her physical development - can't remember when she first sat but she didn't move until her first birthday and didn't walk until she was 18/19 months. and she was my second!! (her elder sister sat at 6/7 months, crawled at about 8 and walked at 12/13. they are utterly individual and it is really important NOT to expect them to do things at the same age.)

Bo, I don't really have any advice for encouraging sitting, but I'd like to let you know that my daughter didn't sit until she was over 8 months old, even though she crawled at 6.5 months! My HV was so concerned she was thinking of referring her to a pediatrician (slight over-reaction I thought). Anyway, she's 18 months now and of course sits perfectly, although she's still not a sitting still kind of person...! Sitting at 5 months sounds very early to me so I really wouldn't compare or worry.

My little boy just mastered sitting up (still falls over very often though) and he is over 8 months old now. In my opinion all babies take their own pace in their development & I would just enjoy the time now that he isn't all over the place yet.

Janh - just thought I'd better say that walkers aren't recommended for babies who aren't sitting up because they have to sit in the walker and it could twist their spines. Better to wait until they are strong enough.

eulalia - i used walkers for all mine before they could sit alone and none of them had any spinal problems...they tended to lean forward and were quite happy to sit and play.

and don't they sit in a highchair before they can sit alone?

I was always told not to put mine in a highchair until he was sitting on his own.

Bo, in my NCT group of six toddlers, there was a really mixed rate of development. One little boy was really late to sit, 8.5 months but he walked the earliest of the group at 10 months!!!! I think they do stuff in their own time when their muscles are ready. Maybe your 2nd child has a longer back, heavier head or longer neck than your first?
How about wedging him in the corner of a sofa with pillows or cushions in front of him so he stays upright. I can't see a problem with him going in a high chair as long as he is wedged in nice and securely so that he doesn't slump.

thanks everyone. My baby is bigger than my first was at this age, and becauese he has big brothers antics going all all around, I thinks that's why he's especially frustrated at being on his back instead of sitting up and watching the mayhem. i know I need to try and be patient - I'm really not that bothered about his rate of development - getting his teeth, crawling, walking, etc. I know he'll do it in his own time when he's ready, I just think sitting up would be such a boost to his quality of life at this moment. I have a big round cussion, like the breastfeeding ones which I sit him in, but he slumps into a very uncomfortable position in no time, so I'm reluctant to put him in it, and I certainly couldn't leave him, even for a second. Anyway, it'll happen I suppose. Thanks for your ideas.

Just to add a spanner in the works so to speak ... I have just been to Germany for the weekend to visit some friends who have 2 children of 5 and 22 months and the mother was shocked to see me sitting my 7 month old up between my legs ( she sits but is shakey)as in Germany(apparently!) it is considered very bad for their development to sit them up until they can sit themselves up from lying - ie until they can crawl and then flop over into a sitting position!
So no Galt play rings in germany!

Clearly by German logic my daughter will be crippled before she's one as she spends her time not only in her playring 'falsely' sat up - but also in a baby bouncer( VERY frowned upon out there) and also a baby walker - allbut banned as they are considered too dangerous-( I know we talk about the 'danger' but I'm far from being the only one to use one anyhow!)
I'm not sure what all this shows - you could conclude that the germans are over cautious - except that the 5 month old had both cot bumper and duvet and the mother said she had NEVER heard that either was contraindicated at 5 months - and she'a an educated person- not the sort to be unaware of any current advice!