Well I went to my DD health check up for 6 months on Thurs and she asked whether she was sitting on her own yet. I said no because I really don't ever sit her deliberately unless it's on our knee or against me on the floor. I don't get her to sit by herself because the GYMBAROO teacher advised against it - in fact she was DEAD against any delieberate sitting because she said babies need to crawl first then sit of their own accord. The health nurse said "no no no" - they must SIT before they crawl so now I am totally confused!!!!
How do you know what advice to take? I did sit DD on the weekend and of course she toppled over - she can just do it leaning right forward but really for about 1 second!! Should I be worried? Do I sit her or wait till she does it herself?
The more important issue here is though - who do I trust? You read so many books and artcles and hear things from so many diff people it's hard to know. The gymbaroo lady is always quoting studies done so I assumed what she said was right.
I think I just propped DS up with some pillows around him, but he was normally more happy on his tummy and getting up on his hands and knees - this was from about 5 months. He finally sat up on his own at 7 months and crawled just before 9 months - so it could take AGES..... I say just take a little bit of info from everyone and then make the decision that feels right in your gut. Use your instinct. It won't be wrong.
My DD was exactly like this BUT she was pretty much crawling before sitting so that's that theory gone!
I think it's because I'd always put her on the floor on her back or her tummy so I wasn't really teaching her how to sit and it wasn't until I went to Mothers Group and saw the other babies sitting that it even occurred to me! Whoopsy!
So I tried to encourage her very gently. At first just for a few seconds with me with my hands at the ready. Then I'd try again a bit later in the day but not try too many times.
She got it after a few days; a week tops.
So no harm in giving it a go, I reckon, but no point pushing it either. She'll do it in her own time.
I wouldn't worry about the conflicting advice - just do what you think is right.
My current MCHN is fabulous but her off-sider's a shocker. Always quoting this theory and that theory. She tried telling me when DD was a couple of months old that she needed 20 minutes of tummy time each day or she would never learn to roll. Well, DD hated tummy time so I stopped doing it at all. And what d'you know, she was one of the first rollers in Mothers Group so I take all this stuff with a pinch of salt now.
It is true that once they crawl they will learn to sit. Sitting is not a developmental stage however rolling, crawling, walking etc are.... I dont see the harm in occasionally sitting them up on your knee but I don't think you need to worry about it if it's not happening fast, as they do learn to do it in their own time.
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.
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.
To sit or NOT to sit???
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