Want to know how to teach your baby to sit? Read our article to find out more!
Parents often wait impatiently for their babies to reach certain milestones. They can not wait for the first smile, the first crawl, and the first steps. Even if everything comes gradually, it is normal to be nervous. Everyone wants to see their baby sit up on their own for the first time. If you are interested in helping it in the process, keep reading.
First of all, parents often wonder: is my baby ready to sit up on his own?
Observing your child will give you the signs that say whether it is ready without risking injury to the back. The best thing you can do is not hesitate your baby; it will do it on its own sooner or later.
You need to give it a chance to spend as much time as possible in the home with comfortable clothes. Also, give it space to explore and train its body. When it reaches various developmental milestones, it will learn to sit.
Tips to teach your baby to sit up by himself
How to know that your baby is ready to sit
It is a mistake to force the baby, regardless of the stage of development. Every child is unique. There should not be a calendar that requires it to do certain things before certain times. Some babies take longer, others develop faster.
Similarly, some babies get their first teeth in just three months, while it takes up to eight months for others. There is no pre-determined schedule, so you have to wait until the baby is ready. Some start sitting up at six months, while it takes a year before others do.
However, you can look for the following characters:
- If your baby can lie on his stomach, turn to his back, and then turn back to his stomach, it means that his muscles become stronger.
- Another sign is that your baby can sit up on its own when sitting in a chair. It is common for this to start around six months, but it is not a specific date. It can happen at eight or nine months as well.
Sitting up: a special moment
Learning to sit up means that your baby has taken a big step in his psychomotor development. This position helps the baby to strengthen its back muscles, and also prevents discomfort and problems walking. As soon as it can sit up, its body will be ready to crawl and walk.
That is why you must not force a baby to sit before it is ready. Let its muscles develop at their own pace. When the baby can sit up, it will feel more independent when it comes to playing with toys and other things.
Your baby’s senses wake up to explore!
Exercises to teach your baby to sit
Are you wondering if it is possible to teach your baby to sit? It may be best to wait for it to develop at its own pace, but you can help it strengthen its muscles with some exercises. It will not make your baby perfect this skill faster, but it will make it easier.
Doing these exercises is also another activity to spend time with. You can help it grow happily and healthily.
Before starting these activities to help your baby to sit, he must have reached certain milestones in his psychomotor development. For example, your baby needs to be able to lift his head when lying down and be able to sit with your help while holding his hands.
Gymnastics for your baby
To do these stimulating exercises with your baby, lay a blanket on the floor, and get ready to get started. They will strengthen their abdominal muscles, back, neck, and arms! It is also important to have toyed around nearby.
- Place the baby on its back. Sit in the front and hold the baby’s hands. Then slowly lift her a little at a time, then gently lower her. Repeat 3-4 times.
- Put the baby in your lap so that it can lean back towards you. Clap your hands or play a similar game. She will immediately lift her back from you to sit on her own. Of course, you help her by easily holding her arms.
- Lay the baby on its back. Hold something colorful and fun above him to attract. Your baby will try to reach for the object.
Do not overwhelm your baby
If you notice that the baby is starting to lose interest, stop the exercises. Like all other milestones, the secret to getting your baby to sit is not coercion, but stimulation. Do not wear him out. Enjoy the moments you have together and keep trying. Soon your baby will be ready for his first sitting photo!