One of the first milestones that babies reach is the ability to sit on their own. This is one of the important “first-year” milestones that doctors watch for. This is an important developmental milestone, especially for their physical development and strength.
Of course, every baby is different, but it is expected that a child will be sitting on their own prior to their first birthday.
When will a baby typically sit on its own?
Timing may vary for when a baby first sits on its own. The general guidelines are for between seven and nine months of age. Talking with the baby’s pediatrician can also help to shed light on when parents should expect their child to meet this important milestone.
Use a Sitting Pillow
Many doctors suggest that sitting pillows for babies be used. These can be helpful in giving the child a little extra support while also helping them to develop the muscles necessary to sit on their own.
Before starting to use a pillow to help one’s baby sit, parents should familiarize themselves with some important guidelines. Most importantly, is the fact that a pillow should never be left in a baby’s crib.
Once a child turns two years old, a small pillow left in the crib can be safe. Prior to two, a baby should only be with a pillow under adult supervision. This can help prevent serious incidents like suffocation.
Benefits of a Sitting Pillow
With that said, there are benefits to introducing sitting pillows for babies while they are learning to sit on their own. Once a baby becomes more familiar with its body, it will become more curious. This is especially true about movement.
A parent can allow a baby to try to move around once it is able to support its head and neck on its own. Staying close by, a parent can let the baby try to sit or crawl. If the child is nearing danger, then the parent is close enough to return them to safety.
This free time during which they are allowed to explore independently is very important to development.
Using pillows and allowing a child time to crawl and move independently can help them develop the muscles needed to sit on their own. Every child is different, and parents need to be comfortable with the fact that their child’s development may differ from that of other babies.
If there is a feeling of concern, it is important to discuss it with the child’s pediatrician.
