Why sitting using their hands for balance is an amazing step in your baby’s development

Sitting is something we don’t usually think about very much, but as you watch your baby edge towards sitting independently you might be finding the whole process much more interesting. Sitting involves your baby controlling their balance and using their muscles. It's anything but simple – in fact, it's multi-tasking on another level! 

Senses, muscles and gravity – bringing everything together to sit for a moment 

There is an incredible amount of work going on in your baby’s body at this exciting stage of their development.  

When your baby sits, they are using their senses to adjust their position and stay upright. They’re learning to react to changes around them, such as sitting in different places and working out how to play with a different view of their world.^[1]  

The amount of muscle development is incredible with their trunk, shoulders and head all coming together to keep them upright. One little head shift to the left or right can cause them to fall to the side, and they are busy trying to work out how to stop this from happening.^[2]  

Your baby is beginning to understand that their arms can help them stay upright, while exploring how far they can tilt forward before falling. 

Keep trying  

It can be tempting to help with props or seats to sit your baby upright as they start to seem steadier. Try to resist the temptation to prop your baby in a seated position as they need some experience of wobbly sitting to learn to keep their balance.  

If they get frustrated, sitting them in your arms or between your legs can give them a bit of support and still allow them to move and work out the most stable position for sitting.  

A whole new world! 

When your baby can sit, they will find new ways to explore as they see the world from a different position – so all their hard work will be worthwhile! 

References: 

[1] B.I. Bertenthal, D. L. Bai (1988). Infants' sensitivity to optical flow for controlling posture. In: C. Butler & K. Jaffe (eds.), Visual-vestibular integration in early development: technical and clinical perspectives, Washington D.C.: RESNA. 

[2] C.K.M.R. Formiga, M.B.M. Linhares (2015). Motor Skills: Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. In: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd edition, Vol 15. Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 971–977. ISBN: 9780080970868