15 Mar 😬Is your 9 month old baby still not sitting upright independently 🥺Does your baby seem to slouch forward when in sitting and loses their balance if they sat upright
Most babies start sitting independently between 4 to 7 months old. Initially, they may need some support or might use their hands for balance, but by around 8 months, many can sit well without support.
If your baby is 9 months old and still needing to prop themselves up using their hands, or if they tend to sit slouched forward with their chest close to the floor, it could indicate that your baby has low muscle tone. Low muscle tone, also known as hypotonia, refers to decreased tension or stiffness in the muscles when they are at rest. It’s not about muscle strength directly, but rather the muscle’s ability to resist passive stretching. In infants and children, low muscle tone can affect their ability to maintain posture and perform certain movements or activities.
It’s important to note that low muscle tone is a condition rather than a specific disease, and it can be a symptom of various underlying issues, ranging from neurological disorders to genetic conditions. However, some children with mild hypotonia don’t have an underlying disorder and may simply develop more slowly in terms of motor skills.
Here are some signs that might indicate low muscle tone in infants:
1. Difficulty in controlling the head or head lagging behind when pulling the baby to a sitting position, especially after 2-3 months of age.
2. Babies with low muscle tone may feel limp when you pick them up, lacking the expected resistance or stiffness in their body. Baby may appear more flexible or “double jointed”.
3. Baby is delayed in rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking. They might have less kicking or struggle to keep their arms and legs in a raised position.
4. Struggling with sucking, chewing, or swallowing can be a sign, as these actions also involve muscle strength and coordination.
If you are concerned about your baby’s gross motor skills, ring My Favourite Physio on 
(02) 9790 4233 or Dm us @myfavouritephysio to speak to one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists 
today!