To sit or NOT to sit???

[~Jo~]

Wow thats really interesting. Mine have all started to sit way before crawling.

Jo

[fionas]

My understanding is that they USUALLY sit before crawling and so sitting is seen as a developmental step. But crawling is not seen as a milestone because some babies never learn to crawl. All very confusing which is why I don't take much notice now.

In my DD's case, sitting wasn't a precursor to crawling though I suppose it depends what your definition of crawling is. My definition is getting from A to B without rolling which is what she was doing - kind of dragging herself along by her elbows but without really using her legs that much.

[Beach Mama]

My understanding is that they USUALLY sit before crawling and so sitting is seen as a developmental step. But crawling is not seen as a milestone because some babies never learn to crawl.

Although most sit before crawling, the ones that don't will sit once they are crawling if that makes sense - Im pretty sure crawling is a milestone they watch for because of the cross over of hands once they start is important for brain development. If babies don't crawl, then once they are walking it is important to do activities where they cross over their hands and play crawling games so their brain can make these connections. I'm not sure I've explained it right, but Kimnastics posted in one of my threads once when I was worried, will see if I can find it!

I agree with Ren too - babies seem to do what they want to do, in their own time, rather than the time we want them to,so go with the flow, don't rush it and you will be fine!!

[meow]

Who would I listen to? Your baby!

Babies are brilliant at knowing how to develop... we don't really need to 'teach' them how to sit or crawl or walk. Obviously a stimulating, positive and safe environment helps all areas of development but specific education isn't generally really necessary.

If your child appears healthy and alert and physically okay, then chances are they are. You will usually get a sixth sense if something really isn't right and more intervention is necessary.

I would just do whatever you and your baby enjoy and are comfortable with- so if a few sits on your lap is enough then so be it. So long as she is having time on the floor to develop, then she will.

[Ozziehoffy]

You know the thing is that babies will do what they are ready to do when they are ready and not when we decide they should. Oskar was sitting by himself at around 5 1/2 months and doesn't crawl... he bum shuffles and didn't start to do that until about 9 months old. I had my mum trying to MAKE him crawl which always ended up with him face planting and bawling because he HATES being on his tummy. He decided one day he could move and now I can't keep him still..lol.

Oh and to add to that I had an MCHN ask me just the other day if he pulls himself up on things.. the answer is NO.... so she started searching for a milestones thing to give me. I commented to her that he is quite happy (and so am I for that matter) not pulling himself up on everything. He's happy, he chats away and if he wants something he lets me know. He is 1 in a week and a half... so they don't all do what they "think" they should do when they "think" they should.

[Naomi]

My first ds started to crawl 3 days before he started to sit.
Ds2 didn't sit until he was 9 months and crawled at 10 months
Ds3 started sitting at 9 months and crawled at 11 months

All babies develop at their own pace, ds3 isn't fully walking yet at 16 months, but i'm not worried yet, he's getting there slowly, but if i took him to a MCHN they would have him booked in to see a peadatrician because of it.
Use your mothers instint, it's what i go on and it's never let me down, no-one knows your baby better than you.
I stopped taking my kids to MCHN because they were rude and pushy, i take my kids to our gp for all of their checkups.
Good luck

[sangie]

I think getting conflicting advice is part of being a mummy!
My DD sat up at 5 months on her own, is now 10 months and has no interest in crawling but prefers to bum shuffle or cruise.

Don't worry, they are all different and will do things when they feel like it!

[Emma1979]

hey i suggest not listening to anyone except your bubs.... she doesn't know which order she is 'supposed' to reach her milestones in, so just let her reach them in whatever order she reaches them, she won't be 2 years old and unable to sit, IYKWIM...

i think my dd was around 7.5-8 months before she sat unassisted, she happened to crawl around the same time, can't remember which came first though, and really i guess it doesn't matter.... she did sit leaning forward supported by her hand for quite a while... i think she may have crawled first...

don't give it another thought, just let your baby lead the way and encourage her where you can... enjoy!!

[Pandora]

DS didnt sit on his own until 9 months. It was almost to the day, becuase MCHN said that they "like them to be sitting by 9 months" and that they dont worry before then. whatever that means.

She said nothing about the order of sitting/crawling, and DS didnt crawl til 10-11 months.

I really wouldnt not pay any attention at all to what the gymbaroo teacher says.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

my DD crawled at 5 1/2 months and didnt sit until around 7 months! :-) i dont think it matter which way they do it, if you just sit your baby up with cushions and pillows whenever you feel like it or remember than i am sure she will get the hang of it sooner or later. i found the conflicting advice really made me dount myself alot, so i stopped listeing to the so called experts and just did what i thought my DD enjoyed/needed.

[Feathertop]

Just let her do what she wants to do when she wants to do it. It isn't important whether they sit before they crawl or vice versa. Just nod and smile and do what the two of you do - enjoy just being who you are. We can get very worried by what others say especially when they are supposed to be experts and when it is conflicting advice it's even worse. Not all babies crawl. All babies will need to sit unsupported at some stage (kind of hard to do grown up things if you can't!). Don't push either, just encourage achievement in whatever direction it happened.