Pediatric Rehab Care for the Tri-State Area

How to Help a Baby Sit Up Without Rushing Their Natural Development

How to Help a Baby Sit Up Without Rushing Their Natural Development

Throughout the first few months of a baby’s life, they will grow rapidly. While it’s true that infants can learn rapidly because the plasticity in their brains is at an all-time high, there is a natural timeline to development – meaning that their development won’t happen overnight. 

When will my baby start to sit up? 

The average child will start attempting to sit up at around four months. They may start rolling over or becoming more active, but they will still require your help (to a degree). By nine months, a baby can usually sit up independently — meaning they develop static balance. This is a person’s innate ability to sit in an upright, stationary position. 

Some signs your baby might be ready to start sitting up: 

  • They start trying to start lifting their head or shoulders while lying down
  • They begin placing their hands outward to hold themselves up 
  • They teach themselves to roll over unassisted 

But, remember that not all babies follow the same developmental trajectory. While some may meet this milestone quickly, others may be delayed. However, this won’t look the same for every infant; some may take longer, while others may sit up quickly. 

How can I learn how to help my baby sit up? 

The first few months of a baby’s life are when they are most susceptible to getting hurt. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a child is treated in an emergency department for injuries every 4 seconds. While this statistic is staggering, it can be decreased through prevention. 

With this in mind, pay attention to the cues your baby gives you as they grow. When you start noticing the signs mentioned above, guide your helping efforts based on that. Here are some suggestions: 

  • Help them strengthen the muscles necessary for sitting up. Your baby needs a strong core, head, and neck muscles to start sitting up. Tummy time, either with you or in a safe, enclosed space, is the perfect way to encourage a child to start attempting to lift themselves up.  
  • Support your baby’s head. Holding your baby in a supported position will get their body accustomed to being upright. When you’re not holding or babywearing, sitting them in a stroller, jumper, or other assistive device is also acceptable. Think of it like practice! 
  • Be patient. As tempting as it may be to accelerate the time it takes for your baby to sit up, it’s essential to be cautious. Although it’s exciting when your baby learns new things, take it one step at a time. Patience is key. 

Promote Your Baby’s Development With Excellence Rehab

If you think your child might benefit from starting physical, occupational, speech, or behavioral therapy, Excellence Rehab is here to help. When you make your first appointment with one of our board-certified physical therapists, they will do a thorough, developmentally-appropriate evaluation. After this, they will develop an individualized treatment plan to assist with everything from teaching you how to help baby sit up to assessing cognitive issues. 

To learn more about our services, visit our website to schedule a consultation.