29 Jul Have you been told that putting your baby into sitting too soon or too often will damage your baby’s spine

Have you been told that putting your baby into sitting too soon or too often will damage your baby’s spine
Wondering when is it safe for you to start placing your baby into sitting

If you answered yes to the above statements, then you are not alone! Here at My Favourite Physio, our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists see many babies and children to help them learn to roll, sit, crawl and walk. When we see a baby who is not yet sitting, one of the common question that parents ask is, “Will sitting damage their spine?” Sometimes parents report that they have been told by their family doctor, medical professionals or well meaning family and friends that sitting a baby who is not yet sitting will damage their spine.

The facts are typically developing babies younger than 5 months old can be held supported in sitting but not expected to sit by themselves. When supported in sitting, a typically developing baby under 5 months old will attempt to hold their head upright to look around.
Typically developing babies begins to learn to sit by themselves between 5 months old to 8 months old. By 8 months old a typically developing baby should be able to sit comfortably by themselves to play and move in and out of sitting easily as desired. 

If a baby is older than 8 months old and not yet able to sit independently by themselves, then it is likely that baby is delayed in their gross motor skills. Here at My Favourite Physio, when our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists assess and treat a baby who is delayed in their sitting milestone, sitting practice becomes an important part of the treatment plan. In such instances, sitting is carried out in a safe and effective manner which will not cause damage to baby’s spine. 

If you are concerned about your baby who is not yet sitting and is older than 8 months old, it is important to have your baby assessed by an experienced Expert Paediatric Physiotherapist. Ring My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to find out how we can help your baby learn to sit today.

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