Sitting up at 6 months

[Ali268]

I am English but live in the USA - I was told by my paediatrician today that MOST 6 month old babies are sitting up at this age and I was made to feel like my baby was in someway developmentally challenged because she isn't yet. I feel that she will sit up when she is ready and that I shouldn't have to prop her up and 'make' her. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

[campbellking]

'Most' babies are, but that doesn't mean your little girl's development isn't still within normal limits. Encourage her to have some play time on her tummy, and this will improve the strength of her back extensor muscles, and help facilitate sitting. Above all, enjoy your time together.

[tradey]

all babies are not the same,they just say they should be six months,my youngest didnt till she was nearly 7mths but my other two were about 5mths,she will do it when shes ready,dont worry,theres nothing wrong with my youngest now shes 2 was slow at walking as well but talking when she was 14mths see there all different

[redcrx]

i think its an age range of between 4 and 9 months. My nephew didnt sit up until he was 9 months old and yet by 13 months was walking. Take no notice of the 'most' comment and follow your mothers instinct.
Certainly dont make her but perhaps you could buy a v shaped cushion and sit her in it for short periods so that she gets a different view of her surroundings.

[Proactivity]

My 6 month old has only just started trying to sit up, and even then only when she's put in a sitting position. Up until now she's just rolled sideways or slumped forward and cried. If I put her hands down in front of her, she can just about prop herself up, but it's a work in progress. I try to give her practice time whenever she's in the mood.

You could try getting a bumbo seat, which lets them sit up on their own (with supervision), and is meant to encourage them to do it on their own.

[charlybabe]

Just because your baby hasnt started sitting up yet dosen't mean theres anything wrong with her. She will sit up when shes ready. good luck

[sense4all]

Please don't get sucked into the 'normal' vortex.
Like the rest of the human race babies are individual and these statements are guidelines.

My eldest was so efficient at rolling that she had very little interest in sitting for ages. She could get anything she wanted, and that was her motivation- toys to play with, then she liked a baby doorway swing, then she was a quick walker. Her brother was frustrated by rolling, he preferred to sit and survey his kingdom, and took to the bum-shuffle to attain his goals.
Luckily I had a brilliant Health Visitor one of the old school -she was there to help you, not make you doubt yourself.

Of course if your baby is well outside the guidelines, one would take heed but for now I would not worry at all!

[Hellion]

Don't worry Ali268 just because someone is an 'expert' doesn't mean they are right, babies develop at different times, I remember telling my health visitor at year check that my son was able to put two words together which she said was my imagination as that was impossible at that age, my son (bless him) promptly said quite clearly 'Want drink' !
Enjoy your baby and don't worry about it.
Was paediatrician male by the way?

[lynlockwood]

Of course she's normal and you shouldn't be 'making' her do anything. My daughter (7 months) only sits for a few minutes unaided but does need sitting up to start off with- she enjoys it and then it's no problem to move on when she's had enough. You may find your baby would like to be sat up in front of you between your legs on the floor to try playing with toys in a new position. I only discovered it with mine when a friend just did it without thinking!