Could this hurt my baby? Please help

[knitting774]

I’m so confused. My DS is almost 9 months and isn’t able to sit unassisted for very long. He will last for about 5 seconds before falling over and I have to catch him before he hits the mat.

I spoke to the health visitor this morning about my concerns and she said I could practise sitting more with DS. I think she said to put him in the tripod position (so sitting down, leaning forward with both his hands on the mat in front of him) and he will eventually sit up himself.

My concern is, I’m sure I’ve read on Mumsnet that you can damage a baby’s spine by making them sit before they’re ready. But I don’t understand this as DS sits for ages in his high chair supported by a cushion - could that be damaging his back?

Also, is the health visitor right that I should be practising sitting - and should I have started doing this months ago? We had a go earlier after I got off the phone and DS already seems to be improving vastly just from a couple of goes in the tripod position.

I feel so clueless

Surely if we don’t practise he will never learn to do it? I don’t understand.

If he can sit in the tripod position without a bumbo etc that's fine, it's the support seats that are bad.

My DC couldn't sit at 7 months (maybe 8?) Went to the chiropractor who clicked him and he sat perfectly for evermore. Apparently his shoulder and hip muscles were tight

If you're in Sw London DM me and I'll give you her name x

Yes you should be practicing sitting unaided.

So how do I do it - by putting him in the tripod position so he’s bent forward? Will he eventually just lean back and sit up himself without needing to have his hands on the floor?

I can’t believe I didn’t know that I was meant to be doing this - I feel terrible!

Is your baby quite "tall"? Mine didn't really sit well until we started practicing standing, I'm convinced the standing improved some core muscles or something.

No, he’s average size I’d say. Although he does have a larger than average head!

The thing is I’ve never given him the opportunity to practise really as I didn’t think I had to. Now I’m kicking myself for being so clueless.

Do exactly that.
It’s the use of bumbo type seats too young that damage spines etc.

I used to put cushions in a kind of triangle position around DS so that he was protected and then get gin I interested in a toy as then he’d sit up longer without realising. It’s not bad for them to practice like that.
Also don’t feel bad about not realising; I was the same witht first DD, no one told me to practice and it just never occurred to me that I’d need to get her to do it as everything else like crawling and pulling herself up she learnt through being given the opportunity to move around so I thought sitting was the same

Please don't feel bad! He will get there in the end, practise or not. My twins were quite late sitters (10 months) and I didn't help them much either

It seemed like overnight they went from needing to be caught every few seconds, to getting in and out of the sitting position all by themselves! The change in their steadiness and strength was very sudden. Within a week they were climbing up the furniture and everything. It will come, when baby is ready. Obviously practise is great, but don't stress

Thanks everyone. So it definitely won’t hurt his spine to practise as I’ve said above?

OP donyounthink the health visitor would advise it ofnit was going tonhirt or harm your baby?

I used Donuts a lot as this gave them some support and cushioned them when they toppled. But that was from about 3m, so I have no idea how it would be with an older baby.

OP donyounthink the health visitor would advise it ofnit was going tonhirt or harm your baby?

True.