Updated: 06/29/2021 13:51:33
The baby, no matter if it is a girl or a boy, will begin to sit up after the back muscles are strengthened. But don’t rush things and help your child sit down. We will try to figure out whether it is possible to sit the girl down, what the risk is for the baby to sit down earlier, and how to help her if she is in no hurry to sit down on her own.
At what months do girls begin to sit?
According to the norms, girls, like boys, begin to sit up at the age of 6-7 months. But these are conditional figures. In modern pediatrics they are sometimes not taken into account. Evgeny Komarovsky says that each child is individual, develops according to his own pattern, and has his own standards. And if he starts to sit down later or earlier than his friend’s child, then there is nothing to worry about.
Often children are ready to sit 2 months later than generally accepted norms, at 8-10 months. Komarovsky says such correct words that the baby is at such a wonderful age that he doesn’t owe anyone anything. He will sit down when his back muscles and spine are ready for this new type of load.
When do children usually sit up without assistance?
The earliest stage of sitting is when a child can sit without support. Parents can sit the child down, and he remains in this position. Many children master this skill at around 6 months. If a one-year-old child cannot sit up independently, this does not necessarily mean that he has developmental or health problems. However, parents who are concerned about any aspect of their child's development can consult their doctor or pediatrician.
By 9 months, many children begin to sit up without support, may sit up on their stomach or roll over after crawling, and then sit up without support.
Before the child can sit up on his own, he must hold his head well. Most babies achieve this at around 4 months. At around 2 months, many babies begin to hold their head upright for short periods of time.
Babies also need to exercise their arms, abdominal, back and leg muscles as they use the muscles to sit up on their own or support themselves when sitting.
Research shows that biological factors, such as the developing brain and body, as well as cultural and environmental factors, play a role in when a child learns to sit up independently. For example, children in some cultures sit down earlier than in others. Compared to babies in the United States and some other developed countries, babies in Kenya and Cameroon sit earlier—usually around 5 months. This may be due to parents giving children more opportunities to practice sitting skills.
When the girl sits down
Before the girl is ready to sit down, several stages of spinal changes must go through. After birth, the spine has an arched shape, it does not have the usual bends for us. It is only suitable for lying down. The girl’s back is not yet strong, her muscles are not developed. Therefore, her musculoskeletal system is not able to withstand a new load for her, in the form of sitting down.
The formation of the spine occurs in several stages:
- Formation of the cervical spine. The girl learns to hold her head up.
- Formation of the thoracic region. The baby begins to roll over, crawls, and tries to sit up.
- Strengthening the lower back. The child gets the opportunity to stand on his feet.
Despite the individuality of development, the sequence of these stages is the same for everyone. If you do not follow the steps or start sitting down or getting up earlier, there is a high risk of harm to the child’s health. Therefore, it is important for young parents to know the recommendations of pediatricians on this issue.
The muscles of the back and abdominal muscles begin to strengthen at the age of 6 months. Therefore, if a baby begins to sit up on her own at this age, then this is normal. If she tries to sit down, again on her own, before six months, then it is better not to rush things, leave her in her usual position for up to 6 months, in order to prevent a large load on the fragile spine ahead of time.
When a girl begins to sit, the duration of sitting should not exceed 1 hour a day. Once she has mastered a new skill, it will no longer be possible to keep her in a lying position. The baby quickly realizes the benefits of a new position for her. If a child is excessively active, it is better to distract her with play and carry her in her arms to eliminate the negative impact of sitting on the still fragile back muscles.
At first, the child, regardless of gender, sits unsteadily and falls over on his side. This situation is not dangerous and is not a cause for concern. The only thing parents need to do is to prevent the baby from falling and getting injured. Once the back muscles are strengthened, the posture becomes more confident, and he will be able to sit for longer periods of time. Often a sitting child is covered with pillows. This is not worth doing. If he gets tired, he will not have the opportunity to change position or lie down. If parents use pillows as safety, then it is better to place them a little further away just to protect the baby from falling.
When to Seek Medical Help
Each child develops differently. Babies born prematurely develop more slowly than their peers, especially during the first year of life.
Premature babies develop certain skills later.
Your child may need help if:
- he is not sitting at 12 months
- is significantly behind the developmental milestones it should reach to sit up, such as not lifting its head at 2 months or not holding its head up at 6 months
- seems stiff or has trouble coordinating movements
- does not exhibit social behavior such as smiling, making eye contact, or interacting with parent
- does not reach for things, does not respond to sounds, does not laugh or roll over in at least one direction by 6 months.
Early intervention when a child has developmental delays can help.
Why is early planting dangerous for a girl?
Young parents often hear from the older generation that a girl should not be placed before 6 months, otherwise the uterus will bend. Of course, neither boys nor girls should be placed before the period when they are ready for this new skill for them. As Benjamin Spock says in his acclaimed book “The Child and His Care,” you should not help your child sit down, stand up, or walk. He must be ripe for these actions.
As a result of premature disembarkation, sometimes seven or eight months, deformation of the spine occurs, which subsequently causes curvature of posture. In addition, deformation of the pelvic bones may occur, which can lead to future pregnancy failure and difficulties during childbirth. Sometimes there is a complication that makes natural childbirth impossible.
Forced sitting down causes discomfort in the baby and unpleasant emotions. After which the girl may continue to feel uncertainty and fear for a long time about this new body position, which disrupts the child’s general psycho-emotional state. If parents have a question about when a girl will sit up, it is better to ask the doctor who is observing her. He will evaluate the baby’s physical characteristics, how ready she is for sitting, and give his suggestions.
When to put girls in walkers
Pediatricians have not yet come to a consensus at how many months girls can be put into jumpers and walkers. The fact is that the determining factor in this matter is the individual characteristics of the baby’s development. You can buy such a toy for your princess only on the condition that she sits well without assistance, and she has no contraindications associated with metabolic disorders and pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
You need to understand! Walkers only help the child to move freely around the apartment, but they do not speed up the walking process in any way. Scientists have proven that when moving in a walker, the back is not strengthened (as when crawling), on the contrary, it is loaded. In addition, the leg muscles suffer. Getting used to pushing off the floor with their toes, babies begin to walk later than their peers, walking on tiptoes.
Practicing doctors recommend using walkers for children aged 7-9 months. They need to be accustomed to these devices gradually. The baby's stay in them during the day should not exceed 40-50 minutes, and each session should last no more than 10-15 minutes. Staying in a walker for a long time increases the load on the spinal column.
Walkers should be abandoned in the following cases:
- the presence of diaper rash, injuries, wounds in the area of contact with the walker;
- hypo- or hypertonicity of muscles;
- pathology of the musculoskeletal system (rickets, hip dysplasia).
Advice. If it is difficult to keep the baby in a horizontal position, then you can purchase a walker cart. This is such a massive toy that you can push. During movement, the child’s foot will take the correct position.
Walkers are just a mother’s assistant; they are not a necessary accessory, much less teach a child to walk.
Jumpers, just like walkers, have a negative impact on the development of the baby’s musculoskeletal system. If desired, this device can be used for a short time when the child sits and stands up.
The most common misconceptions of parents
Among parents and relatives of the older generation, the following are the most common misconceptions:
- You can start sitting down a girl if she is already six months old
. It is not right. Neither boys nor girls should be seated; this will harm them in the future in the form of retarded physical development and poor posture.
- Early sitting down of a girl leads to bending of the uterus
. Of course, it is impossible to place a girl early, but this has nothing to do with gynecology. Bend of the uterus occurs as a result of a hereditary predisposition or against the background of an inflammatory process.
- Jumpers are safe for the child and do not put any load on his spine.
Evgeny Komarovsky classifies jumpers not only as useless, but also harmful acquisitions. While on this device, the child's spine experiences a lot of stress. Jumpers make mom’s life easier and allow her to go about her business. But it’s better not to use them until the baby sits down, or even better, starts to stand. But the most correct thing is to remove this device away.
- The child walked in a walker, which means he will walk faster.
When walking independently, the baby uses a different group of muscles. It has been noticed that children who use walkers begin to walk on their toes. In addition, this device leads to the fact that the back is strengthened in an incorrect, unnatural way. A child does not fall while wearing a walker. Therefore, even when he tries to stand up or walk on his own, he does not realize that he may fall. Walkers, like jumpers, are classified as devices that are harmful to a baby.
At what months does a child begin to sit and walk independently?
There is no clearly defined age limit when a baby should be able to sit up on his own. In most cases, this occurs between the eight and nine month period. Younger children (from five months to eight months) still need the opportunity to lean on mom or dad. And the baby usually begins to walk closer to the first year of life.
What time does a boy sit down?
To date, pediatricians have proven that the gender of the child does not in any way affect when he can start sitting down. Therefore, both the boy and the girl begin to sit up on their own from the six-month to nine-month period. This interval is determined by the individual development of each baby.
What time does a girl sit down?
Previously, it was believed that sitting down for a girl should begin much later than for a boy. This was due to negative consequences for her reproductive system. Today it has been proven that this is just a myth that has no relation to reality.
How to understand that a girl will sit down soon
Before a girl sits down, her muscles must prepare for the upcoming load. Observing the baby will help you understand that she is ready to learn a new skill.
- The baby holds her head and shoulders for more than 2 minutes.
- Relies on outstretched arms while lying on the stomach.
- Raises shoulders and head while lying on back.
- Spins on different sides, turns over, is able to lean on the elbow.
Why is it not recommended to sit down a girl early?
Leading pediatricians in Russia advise not to rush into early sitting down of a child and recommend waiting until he himself is ready for this. The fact is that the muscle corset of the spine in a baby is poorly developed; it takes some time to strengthen it.
The dangers of early planting for girls
Early placement of newborns is fraught with divergence of the pelvic bones, which in the future may negatively affect the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system. If the pelvic bones are curved, then the birth canal may be blocked, and childbirth will be difficult and painful for the expectant mother.
Early potting is sometimes dangerous to health
Sitting babies up to six months
Theoretically, children can be started as early as six months, but since everyone has their own pace of development, this issue takes on an individual character. Early planting is fraught with the development of the following complications:
- damage to posture (development of scoliosis, lordosis);
- deformation of the pelvic bones;
- violation of the breathing process;
- bending of the uterus (according to modern experts, this statement is nothing more than a myth).
Note. In the wrong position, children may experience fear and uncertainty. Proper sitting down, without haste, will prevent the development of the complications described above.
Sitting the girl down too early
If the baby begins to sit up on her own earlier than the recommended time (for example, at 5 months), there is no need to be scared and forcefully put her on her back (as old-school pediatricians advise to do) - this way you can only disrupt the natural development processes in the baby’s body.
You can start carrying your baby in a kangaroo only from 4 months
Timely and correct physical development of a newborn is a very important factor influencing the normal formation of the body and all its systems. The opinions of pediatricians and Dr. Komarovsky agree on one thing - there is no need to rush to place babies ahead of schedule. It is necessary to wait until the time when the baby can sit up on her own and do it without outside help. The main task of parents is to monitor this process, as well as follow the recommendations of doctors.
Advice from pediatricians
In order for a girl to sit down within the time limits established by the norm, she needs to be prepared in advance. It should remain in a horizontal position for more time. When one is a month old, it is useful to place it on the tummy. In order for the child to be interested and for tactile development, you can purchase a special play mat, put bright toys on it, start with red, then add green, blue and yellow. The baby, lying on her tummy, will try to reach them. This strengthens the muscles of the back and neck, develops the sensory system and motor skills. Then she will be ready to roll over by 3 months and will begin to make attempts to crawl. If consistency is observed in new movements, the child will most likely sit down in a timely manner.
From 5 months, it is recommended to stimulate crawling by any means, with support on the arm, on the leg, on the stomach. This opens up new opportunities for the child to make further leaps in development. Evgeny Komarovsky encourages parents to teach their baby to crawl. This is what strengthens the back muscles. Pediatricians believe that crawling is much healthier for a baby than sitting.
If a girl does not sit down on time, her parents can help her with this. An evening massage and bathing are considered an excellent workout. Early swimming, whether in the pool or at home in an adult bath, strengthens the muscles of the child’s back and neck. Daily gymnastics is useful, which it is advisable to do immediately after arriving home from the maternity hospital.
When the girl starts to sit down, Komarovsky recommends watching how she does it. If the baby folds her legs in the form of an inverted letter “w” when sitting, this will negatively affect the hip joint. It’s better to correct her right away, teach her to sit correctly. Observing your child will help determine which muscles need training.
- if the baby is sitting and has a round back, then this indicates weak muscles of the neck and back;
- if it falls back - weak press;
- falls on the side - weak lateral muscles.
Then you need to train the child’s “weak points” with massage and exercises.
How to teach a child to sit
The child will learn to sit independently; there is no need for special training. But you can help your baby if you slowly let him develop his muscles, for example, by swimming, and monitor his diet. If your baby's development is causing you concern, contact a pediatric neurologist and massage therapist.
The baby needs tactile and visual experience for development; many children begin to crawl, sit and stand when there are stimuli nearby - for example, bright toys that they want to take a closer look at or touch. Spread a blanket on the floor and place your baby on his stomach. Place your favorite toys that attract attention not far from it. The baby will try to get to the items that interest him. You can use developmental mats for these purposes.
You can also help develop children's muscles with the help of light home exercises, which the baby can do within a week after birth, if there are no contraindications.
How to help a girl learn to sit
Elena Isaeva, a children's massage therapist, in her book “Children's Massage, a Complete Guide” says that massage has a mild therapeutic and preventive effect. It promotes earlier mental and physical development of the child. That massage is called “children’s”, which is performed for children from birth to one year.
But children's massage is inseparable from gymnastics, which children need no less than massage. It strengthens the muscles of the back, neck, and spine, which allows children to sit down in a timely manner, and subsequently to walk. Different types of massage have different effects on muscles. Relaxation occurs through stroking, rubbing, kneading, but effleurage and pinching lead to muscle contraction.
For normal development of a child, movement is necessary. For these purposes, Elena Isaeva recommends doing gymnastics from birth. After all, muscles that work receive 3 times more nutrients and 7 times more oxygen. Thanks to regular training, they become more resilient, strong, and elastic. In addition, do not forget about the emotional side. After all, a good mood is the key to physical health.
Massage complex
The massage complex proposed by Elena Isaeva allows you to strengthen the child’s back and neck, which contributes to the mastery of a new skill, sitting:
- Hand massage.
The child is lying on his back, the thumb of his left hand is inserted into his palm. With the other hand, the mother makes light strokes from the hand to the armpit.
- Lifting.
Let your baby grasp your fingers and lift her shoulders, carefully observing her reaction. If you notice that your grip is weakening, your face takes on a concerned expression, carefully lower it onto the table.
- Foot massage.
The child lies on his back. Stroking his legs from foot to thigh.
- Transferring to the stomach.
Place the baby on her stomach, her hips should be apart. She will first begin to turn the head, then lift it. This is a great workout for the neck muscles.
- Back massage.
The child lies on his stomach. Mom makes stroking movements with her palm from the buttocks to the head.
- Spinal extension.
The baby is lying on her side. Mom fixes her legs with one hand and gently runs two fingers of the other hand along the spine, from the butt to the neck. In response, the child arches his spine. Then repeat the same exercise on the other side. This promotes the development of the spinal muscles.
- Crawl
. The baby is lying on his stomach. Legs bent, knees apart, feet together. The mother carefully runs her hands under the back of the baby’s feet and touches his soles. The response to the stimulus will be an energetic push-off with straightening of the legs and moving forward.
Rocking a child on a fitball has a good effect on strengthening the back muscles. Place your baby on the ball with his tummy; he will reflexively raise his neck. Then turn him over onto his tummy, rocking him from side to side. The child will try to arch his spine.
A girl, just like a boy, should not be seated. The child will sit down after his muscles are ready for the new skill. If he lags behind the norm, then you can help him with daily massage and gymnastics.
The child has learned to sit: what next?
You can guess what will happen once your little one learns that she can move forward from a sitting position and balance on her hands and knees. She can learn to lean forward or backward on all fours as early as 6 or 7 months, and crawl by 10 months.
Now she is very active and curious, so taking care of her protection in the house is important. By the way, most pediatricians recommend waiting until babies can sit with minimal support before feeding them solid foods.
How to teach a child to sit down. Exercises and games to help your child sit up
Here are some simple but great games and activities you can use to help your child sit up.
Find the rattle
Age for play: four months.
Exercise: Place the baby on his tummy and bring a rattle into view. When the baby begins to turn his head in the direction of the sound, rattle the toy above him so that the baby works to bend back to watch the rattle.
Benefits: Works on the muscles of the neck, lower back and bone structure. The baby can use his arms to move his torso and also use his shoulder muscles in the process.
Twisting
Age for play: four months (when the baby can hold his head up).
Exercise: Place the child on your legs, turning his legs towards you. Hold your baby's hands and gently pull him up in a motion that resembles an ab crunch.
Make sure you move your baby smoothly. To add some rhythm to the activity, recite a poem.
Benefits: The exercise will work your lower back and abdominal muscles, which are essential to help you learn to sit.
Flipping
Age for play: 6 months.
Exercise: Place the baby on his back. Place the toy in front of him and slowly turn the baby onto his side so that he does not take his eyes off the toy. By this age, many babies can roll over. Therefore, the child will try to roll over to better view the object. When your baby does this, praise him. Repeat this exercise regularly, especially when the baby shows readiness to play.
Benefits: Strengthens the back and oblique muscles, which help the child take a sitting position.
Bike
Age to play: 6 months.
Exercise: Place your baby on a soft surface. Carefully lift the legs up. Slowly make circular movements with your legs, imitating riding a bicycle. Add some fun sounds and noises to keep your baby interested. Pause for a few seconds after cycling five times.
Benefits: Strengthens the muscles of the lower back.
Assistance in getting up
Age: Eight months.
Exercise: Plant the baby. Hold your baby's hands and gently lift him to a standing position. Repeat this three to four times and then lower. Wait a few seconds before resuming action.
Benefits: Strengthens the muscles of the back, abdomen and hips. By eight months, children can sit independently and make their first attempts to stand up.
Caution: Your baby's body is delicate. Only perform these exercises when you are sure that you are not harming your baby. Do not overdo it. In addition, precautions must be taken for the safety of the child.
