My son is 8 months old, not sitting well

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
My son is 8 months old, not sitting well
5
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 4:48pm
My son is 8 months old today and I am so worried.

He is only sitting up for a few minutes at a time, he falls over or backwords and then he rolls around. He just seems not to be interested, but since it is a milestone that the doctors look for, I am worried.

I have a bolster to help him sit up, he plays with toys sitting in it, but if I have him on his own, he sits for like 2 minutes then falls over. He is not trying to tripod or stop himself at all.

He is starting to get on his hands and knees and rock, so I know he will start crawling or at least I hope he will.

What can I do to make him want to sit up!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 5:11pm
I wouldn't worry too much. My dd is now 10 months, and she didn't even start to attempt to sit up until 8.5 - 9 months. Now she sits really well, and isn't crawling, but squirms around. When my dd was at the doctors, the dr asked if was sitting, and I said no, the dr didn't seem concerened at all. She just said babies are all at different paces. Good luck

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 5:18pm
REALLY!! That makes me feel so much better, I keep getting weird looks from people that Alex is not sitting up yet well. Every book and milestone chart says he should have been sitting up well for like 15 minutes and should be able to turn while sitting. He should also be crawling better, but I am not that worried about it.

Did you do anything special to get them to sit up? I sit him with a bolster that supports around the lower back and he plays with his leap start gym in the sitting position, he loves that and will play for 15 minutes at a time.

Thanks for the information!! That does make me feel better about his sitting. Maybe he will be a late walker?? I hope not, I guess I want him to get mobile so he can play with other kids!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2000
Fri, 04-16-2004 - 8:36pm
We have a friend with four kids. He says not one of the four started sitting until 9 months. Some kids are just late sitters. Is he tall or big? If yes, that could have something to do with it. My DS was a late milestone baby, but he was also 99th percentile for weight and height at that age.

You might want to call your pediatrician's office and ask them when to start worrying. If you hear from your own doc that it's not a big deal to be this age and not sitting, you won't be bothered by it - and you can tell people who ask that your doc says this is no problem.

Your son sounds delightful! Keep enjoying him - Suzanne

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2004
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 12:48am
My dd is 6 and has developmental delays (sat at 9mos, crawled at 12mos, walked at 22 mos), so I know how frustating this can be. Did he reach his other milestones on time? Things like grabbing, babbling, rolling etc. If so, there is probably nothing wrong. It also common for infants to have excellent fine motor skills and slower gross motor skills, or just the opposite. If he has had alot of colds or earinfections, it could be a problem with balance. If he didn't reach his other milestones on time, he may have a delay. Ask your doctor what he thinks. Or you can call your local Public Health office and have a Child and Teen Checkup, if your state offers them. It is like a well check, but have specific tests for each area of development. Chances are, he just isn't quite ready to sit yet and you have nothing to worry about. Come back after his 9 month check and let us know what's up!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2004
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 7:16pm

I do think if you are too concerned with it, then you should talk to your ped. I am sure if it that concerning, that they will let you know.
Some babies just have a prefrence on certain stuff, liking crawling over walking, and rolling over scooting and so on.
I am sure it is nothing, as long as he is healty otherwise and happy :)


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