And they’re up! What will happen now they’re sitting?

Your baby has gained the strength to sit up all by themselves and this will open up a whole new world for them. You’ll notice your baby starting to do lots of new things, as well as enhance some of the things they could already. Let’s look at what might be happening in your baby’s world going forward... 

Little eyes watching you 

Now that the upper half of your baby’s body can move more independently, you may notice they turn their head more and follow your movements. 

More communication through gestures 

With this greater freedom, your baby's arms will be used more frequently for communication. Notice how they use their arms in different ways. When they want a snuggle, some babies will lift their arms, or they may put your hand on an object they want. 

Different types of play 

Your baby may begin to pick up toys with their hands and begin to play a little more purposefully. 

Some babies quickly discover that they can also pull things, so watch out for where things like magazines, small rugs or cushions are placed around your home. 

They might rediscover their fascination with their body parts and start bringing their toes to their mouth. Saying that, you could find that all kinds of objects go in their mouth – these new independent little arms are great for reaching and grabbing anything and everything! 

Independent sitting frees the hands for more intricate tasks; you might notice your baby starts to pick grass outdoors or tries to pick up tiny objects from surfaces. 

You get a little bit more time for yourself 

Your baby may want to be picked up less as a result of their increased interest in what they're doing with their hands.  

There is a chance you might have some time for yourself when your baby can sit independently. You might even be able to sit and watch them play while you enjoy a brew! 

So, some quick safety thoughts 

Though the muscles in the lower back have grown stronger, keep in mind that your baby still needs to work on their strength and balance. Support them by:   

• Placing cushions around them to catch any falls. 
• Hollowing out an area for your baby to sit in when playing in sand. 
• Playing with your baby sat between your outstretched legs. They can grab onto your legs to steady themselves and regain their balance. 
• Remembering to take some time to relax when your baby is exploring independent sitting – but never leave them alone.