One of the most rewarding parts of parenthood is watching your baby develop into a little person and reach new milestones. One of these big moments that really show how much your little one has grown is when they learn to sit up on their own. Being able to sit up not only gives your baby a whole new perspective of the world but also plays an essential role in their cognitive and motor development. This begs the question, when does this milestone moment typically happen and what can parents do to support their little one along the way?
When do babies usually start sitting up?
As each baby is unique and develops at their own pace, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some babies might be ready to sit up earlier than others, however most babies begin to learn how to sit when they are between 4 to 7 months of age and can sit up by themselves at around 11 to 12 months of age. If your baby is not ready to sit at that age yet, keep in mind that they all do it at their own pace and slight variations from this range are completely normal.
Before your baby even sits up, you can most likely see it developing and testing out new skills that make up the baseline for when they try to sit up by themselves. This progression of skills could roughly look like this:
- Around 4 months: babies start to develop enough control of their head to be able to hold it steadily by themselves when they are sitting in a supported upright position.
- Between 5 and 6 months: by this point a lot of babies can sit with a little support, for example from a nursing pillow or a parent, or by propping them up using their hands in front of them to create a ‘tripod’ position.
- Around 6 to 8 months: this is the point in time when most babies are able to sit without any help for longer periods and use their core strength to balance themselves in an upright position. Most babies, however, still require help to get into the seated position.
- Around 12 months: this is the age when most babies are able to sit up by themselves without any assistance to get into the upright position.
If your baby is in this age range, he or she may also give you some clues that they might be close to sitting up. These clues include holding their head steady and upright without support or showing increased interest in reaching out or leaning forward when sitting with a support. Additionally, they might also use their arms to push themselves up when lying down or try to pull themselves up when lying in a reclined position. But even if your little one is not doing any of these things, they might still surprise you and be ready to sit up sooner than you think.
Why sitting up matters
The first time your baby sits up by themselves is not only a major milestone, but also an important sign that your little one’s muscle strength, motor abilities and coordination are developing and improving as they should be. Additionally, this step also opens your baby up to a whole new world of play, as they can now use their hands freely to explore toys and their environment.
Sitting is also an essential part of promoting your baby’s hand-eye coordination, spinal development, sensory awareness and social interactions, as well as a key step towards your little one learning how to scoot, crawl, stand and eventually even walk!
Help your baby learn how to sit
Whilst every baby develops at his or her own pace, there are a few things that you can do with your little one to encourage them on their journey to sitting up. First off, tummy tome is vital for your baby from the early infancy stages onwards, not only to help your baby sit up a few months down the line, but also to help your little one develop neck, shoulder and back strength – all muscles that are essential for sitting, scooting and crawling.
In addition to tummy time, general playtime on the floor with your baby can help him or her build core stability. Using mirrors or toys when playing on the floor can motivate your baby to look around and reach for them, allowing them to move and gain strength. Words of encouragement when your baby reaches or engages can help motivate as well and can help your little one build confidence.
Finally, gently supporting your baby in a seated position with a pillow behind them or on your lap can also help in teaching your baby how to sit. Also known as assisted sitting, this helps them get used to the posture, potentially making it easier for them to sit up themselves once they are ready.
Safety tips for sitting
Learning how to do something new, such as sitting, also comes with a lot of attempts that maybe don’t go all the way and result in your baby tumbling over – we all know practice makes perfect – therefore, it is also important to make sure that this practice is safe and that your baby cannot hurt themselves whilst exploring their mobility.
We recommend always staying close to your little one when they are practicing, so you can help them out when needed and prevent them from falling over. Additionally, it is important to practice on a soft surface, such as a play mat, rug or sleep mat. Removing any objects that could become hazards out of your little one’s reach can also be a good idea. Such objects can include floor vases, candle holders, small decorative objects or sharp edges that your baby might reach for to keep themselves stable. Lastly, once your baby sits confidently and can get into a sitting position themselves, it is a good idea to adjust the mattress of their cot or crib to a lower setting, if possible, to prevent them from being able to fall or crawl out.
A summary & what’s next...
Every baby is unique and so is their developmental timeline, but sitting up for the first time, both with assistance and without, is a big milestone worth celebrating, as this marks your baby’s shift towards greater physical freedom and a great development in their motor abilities. With some help, encouragement and lots of patience, your little one will soon be sitting up, viewing the world from a new perspective and setting the baseline for a range of new skills to follow, such as rolling, scooting, crawling and ultimately walking.
Each new skill allows your baby to become more curious and independent, giving them the ability to explore their surroundings and interact with them in new ways. So, if you haven’t yet, now is a great time to prepare for a more curious and mobile baby by childproofing your home and saying goodbye to the newborn stage for good.
If you’re curious as to what is coming your way in the next weeks and months, check out our guide to baby development where we walk you through all the exciting milestones ahead.
