8 Things to Expect as Your Baby Starts to Sit

Baby development can be as exciting as it is scary! When your baby learns to sit independently, you’ll have to keep even closer tabs on him than you did before. Keep in mind that the following eight things are just general guidelines of what to expect. Each baby develops at his own pace, so don’t panic if your little one isn’t going through these milestones at the exact time suggested below. It’s just something to look out for as he starts learning new skills – and it’s certainly something to celebrate! Here are 8 things to expect as your baby starts to sit.

1.Babies will know when they are ready

You can’t force a baby to sit. Each child is ready when he or she is ready, and some babies are very active and physically capable before they learn how to sit. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t encourage your child by making sure that his legs are strong enough for sitting. Some parents take their children in for their well-child checkups at around 4 months of age to check their physical development, which may include assessing leg strength.

2.The Importance of Play Time

What baby or toddler doesn’t love a good game of peek-a-boo or hide and seek? Playing with your baby provides an opportunity for social and emotional development, exercise and bonding. The best part is that many simple toys you have lying around your house can be turned into entertaining playthings. Here are some ideas

• Toss soft blocks in front of baby and encourage her to crawl after them;
• If your child enjoys playing with water, put several cups in front of her;
• Stack cups on top of each other so she has to pull them off one by one;
• Put soft blankets on floor so she can try to crawl under them. These games will help strengthen muscles needed for sitting up, crawling and walking. And remember: Keep it fun!

3.Teach your baby how to sit independently from laying or kneeling

Just like with crawling, you want to help your baby practice her ability to sit. Start by laying on your back next to your baby and guiding her into a sitting position. The more she practices, the sooner she’ll be able to do it on her own! If she’s not quite ready for that yet, try positioning her in front of a sturdy object and propping up her hips. You can also hold onto an object or toy just above or below eye level for extra stability.

4.Teach your baby how to get up and down from sitting

Learning how to sit independently is a great milestone, but it can also be a bit of a shock for parents. After all, before you know it and expect, your baby won’t want (or need) you to pick them up anymore! For that reason, it’s important that both you and your child learn how to get up and down from sitting positions safely. It may seem like an easy task, but it’s actually quite complicated—and even dangerous—if not done correctly. Here are some tips on teaching your baby how to do just that

5.Start out with a seat you already have

Babies like consistency, so you don’t want to start out with a whole new play area. Instead, use an old car seat or bouncy seat and secure it into place. This way your baby is already familiar with her surroundings when she starts sitting up on her own. It also gives you a safe spot for her to return to if she gets tired of playing in her new position.

6.Use blocks, balls, toys and pillows for support

Before baby is able to sit up on her own, she can use blocks, pillows or any other object that can be propped in front of her. Stacking blocks and placing them strategically within her reach will encourage her to pull herself up into a sitting position. When using objects for support, it’s important for parents not to leave their baby unattended for any period of time. Always make sure she’s secure and close by.

7.Introduce your baby to adult furniture slowly

It may seem like your baby is ready for big-kid furniture right away, but that’s probably not true. Most babies won’t be able to sit up completely on their own until they are 6 months old. Before they reach that milestone, consider allowing them only supervised access to adult furniture like a chair or sofa—that way you can always make sure they don’t roll over too far or fall off when getting into a sitting position.

8.Keep it fun!

Babies want to do what they see us doing. If you’re relaxed, calm and having fun when your baby is learning new skills, she’ll likely mirror your behavior. If you’re anxious or tense, she’ll pick up on that vibe—and will be more likely to feel anxious and stressed, too. Take some deep breaths and focus on positive thoughts! You can do it!

Also read:-Baby expect to sit https://www.babycenter.com/baby/baby-development/baby-milestones-sitting_6505