Milestone Question (sitting)

DS is 30 weeks adjusted (34 actual)...I was just reading that 7 month olds should be able to sit unassisted. Well, DS can't sit at all unassisted. He can sit on my lap or on the floor with help and he sits up in his highchair which has a back and straps (although he's a bit of a sloucher). He's very active when on the floor - rolling every which way - and flailing around while on his tummy and getting frustrated that he isn't moving. Should I be worried? The instructor at Gymberoo said that they actually prefer to see babies crawl before they sit and not to push the sitting thing but I had never heard this and always thought that sitting happens first. Also, some books say to help them sit (i.e., practice) and others say don't - let babies do what they do when they do it. Thoughts?

With our last baby we followed the movement that she could do herself. We never put her in a position that she couldn't take up for herself. Watching her take up sitting all by herself was amazing! It took many many months of 'practise' and frustration (for her) She would roll onto her side and then push up onto an angle with her arm. She also did sit ups, baby crunches to ready her abs for he movement she was working towards. Eventually she got to fully sitting and that was a joyous day indeed. Babies pratcise sitting themselves as they take up control over their own body. They do not need us to force them into a position. And your instructor is right about babies who are left to find sitting themselves will often crawl first and sit very soon after. Alot of my clients say that they sit their baby up because they cry or are annoyed at laying flat, but this is a sign of them connecting into their will and developing the ability to be able to move out of themselves and out of freedom. They are not free when they are stuck in a position they cannot take up out of themselves. My older children always wanted me to put them up the tree, but if they can't climb up it how will they get down. So we had a thing where if they couldn't climb it themselves they couldn't get up there until they were big enough. When they did start climbing they were so balanced and amazing in their bodies. And the joy at achieving out of their own being is always a priceless moment.
Its a tricky thing to be a parent and sit back and watch your child flourish and grow without getting too much in the way. But a flower does not need to be forced out from it's bud, it's a gradual process that can be enjoyed each day. If we forced our hands upon that bud it will never be a as beautiful as it could have been. The petals would be bruised and some would fall out. Yet we need to water and sun it and give it a supported place to grow. This is a great way to see our task as mother. Knowing that this bud will be perfect, without anything been forced upon it unfolding.

I know when DS started sitting on his own it looked awkward and he would flail a bit. That is he would be haunched right forwards and when he moved about he would throw himself around. I use to put him on the floor with a bunch of pillows around him (more for the padded affect if he flailed and went off balance and hit the floor) and sit and play with him. Before long his muscels strengthened and he sat up better and better and I got rid of the pillows more and more.

Like anything I think it all takes practice. If your little one is more interested in moving about then sitting.... then so be it. If you want him to sit then if you can take some time sitting with him on the floor to help keep his interest in sitting rather then exploring (hope that made sense :D )

I've sat mine up as they've been so keen to do it, but I've also read it's better to let them get there themselves. They will, once they start moving they figure out how to push themselves up into a sitting postiion. I think it proably is better to let them figure it out themseves. Don't worry about the 7-month thing, as with all things they do stuff at different rates - he's moving, so he's still doing more or less what he should be.

My DD1 didnt sit till she was 10 months and she wasnt a premmie just slower at getting there she is now 3.5y and runs and jumps everywhere

My girls both sat up at 5.5 months but DD1 didn't crawl until 10 months. One of my friend's little girl crawled before she sat up. I don't think she sat up until about 8 or 9 months. Just see how he goes. It sounds like he's trying and his muscles just need to get a little bit stronger before they can support him fully. Slouching is pretty normal to start with at first too. I wouldn't push it too hard. He'll get there. If you are worried, talk to someone who is qualified to comment. No offence at all to the gymbaroo person but I wouldn't be taking comments from them as gospel x