Sitting up on their own can be such a big milestone for a little one. It’s amazing how they go from leaning all over you to becoming a bit of a weeble wobble to all of a sudden they can sit independently and are reaching for and playing with toys. I know it doesn’t happen that way for everyone but these tips should be able to be used by many!
- Side sitting – Have your little one practice sitting in this position (see picture for visual). If they don’t like it at first do short bits, and maybe have them in your lap. Eventually they will build their tolerance up. This not only lets their hips move into different positions and prepare them for transitions, but it also makes their trunk work harder so they get a stronger core. Practice a few times a day to both sides. If it’s not their favorite use their favorite toy or activity for the short time you are helping them with it. It’s all about distraction!
- Boppy in front – Have your little one sit on the floor and wrap the Boppy around the front of them so the open area is in the back. Help them prop forward and/or put toys in front that they really like. You can sit behind them to make sure they are safe, or have a lot of pillows behind them. This gives them a little extra support in the front so they can work on grading having to lift up to the middle and don’t overshoot as often and fall backwards.
- Boppy in back – Have your little one sit on the floor and wrap the Boppy around the back of them so the open area is in the front. Put toys in front of them that they like to engage with or sit in front of them to engage with them. The Boppy in the back of them will give them just a little extra support so they have time to maintain their balance when they are sitting upright. They aren’t going to get it every time so make sure you are nearby and that they are in a safe area.
- Laundry basket – Have your little one sit in a laundry basket. That may sound silly but there are supports all around them that they can lean on and then come back up to the middle, as well as use their hands to help them. You can adjust the orientation so they are front to back the long way or the short way. It will just change if you are helping them more with forward and back balance or side to side balance. If you little one needs a little more support you can put pillows in to narrow their circumference for swaying. This trick can also be used for sitting in the bathtub! Make sure you are there with them and don’t leave them alone sitting in this. If you don’t have a laundry basket handy you can try a larger cardboard box as well.
Hope these ideas help. What other ideas have you tried?