when should my baby be sitting up on their own?

Question

My son is 3,5 months old. when should I expect for him to sit up on his own? also, what to do to get him to lie down on his belly ? right now he'll be on his belly for 5 minutes and he cries. Is that too much at one time ?

Answer 1

All three of mine were sitting up around 5 months of age.

It's normal for them to not like being on their belly very much before they learn to roll over and have better control of their heads and upper body. Lay on the floor with him and talk to him. Put toys in front of him for him to try to reach for. Put an unbreakable mirror in front of him so he can see himself. Don't push it if it's still frustrating for him. If 5 mins is his limit, then put him on his belly for 5 mins a few times per day.

Answer 2

Each child is different. I would estimate that most will be sitting up at 5 or 6 months on their own. My 2 did anyway. Why do you have to get him to lie on his belly? For playing or trying to crawl? Well by now I would think that he can roll over on his belly on his own, if not he will be doing this soon. He will cry because he can't move on his own and he will get frustrated, but he is okay. No, five minutes is not too long at all. Just give him time, sooner than you know it he will be crawling, then walking, they grow up sooo fast. Try putting toys out for him on the floor and laying beside him and talking. He will feel more secure and he will know he is not alone.

Answer 3

Guidelines for developmental milestones are just that, guidelines. Babies begin being able to sit on their own at about 6 months old. Of course, some babies can do it at 5 months and some are 9 months before that skill is mastered. Babies can begin to sit propped up with pillows about the same time they can roll from front to back on their own. Some roll back to front first, though. "Tummy time" is important now that "Back to Sleep" is the recommendation for infants. If he cries at 5 minutes, reduce the time to 4 1/2 minutes and try again later to increase the time. Make sure he has some fun toys or a colorful quilt to look at while he is on his tummy. Getting down on your tummy and playing and talking with him will keep his interest a little longer as well.

Answer 4

1. Sitting up - every child is different. It really depends on him strengthening his back and abdominal muscles (and putting him down for tummy time will help that.) Normal is around 4 - 5 months but a broad range around that is not considered bad.

I would recommend the BUMBO seat - you can find it at Target, Once Upon a Child, Ebay, some catalogs, etc. It allows the baby to sit up in a supported manner, and helps them strengthen the muscles they need to do it on their own. I found it really helped my son sit up on his own earlier.

2. Tummy time - our pediatrician recommends a minimum of 10 minutes per day. It doesn't have to be all at once, so you could do 5 at a time 2x/day. Tummy time is important because that's how they're going to strengthen their backs, arms, stomach, and neck muscles, as well as learn to roll over and eventually get mobile. Even though he doesn't like it, keep working on it. Try putting him on an interesting surface, such as a mirror or reflective or see-through surface, or giving him toys he especially likes and can play with on his tummy.

Answer 5

I would say sitting happens anywheres between 5 and 8 months. Depends on the baby, his ambition, and weight. You can buy a boppy pillow that will prop him up a little while on his belly. My girls didn't like being on their belly untill they were able to roll around. But the boppy helped with some belly time. He will get there don't rush him, instead enjoy him and the fact he can't get into anything yet!

Answer 6

all babies are different but most can sit with support around 5 months then usually sitting by them selfs at 6 months putting him on his belly is good but just a few minates a day is fine or if hes happy longer and dont worry he will do it very soon when there sitting then they start to crawl then thats it there into everything lol my boys 9 months now and ive at to move everything so good luck

Answer 7

I don't know if you have a Target near you but I bought a "bumbo" seat from their and my daughter was able to sit up in that chair at about 4 months old. It is the greatest thing. Anyways on their own should be around 6 months.

Answer 8

By 2 1/2 months my daughter was able to hold her head up on her own and wanted to be sitting rather than laying so I bought a bumbo too. It really seemed to make a big difference in getting her to sit up. Before I got the bumbo though I'd sit her with the nursing pillow around her and that worked okay.

By 7 months she could sit unsupported without falling over and at 7 1/2 months she could get to a sitting position on her own.

I also put her down for her tummy time over the nursing pillow (before she could roll) and she liked that much more than just laying on the floor because she could push with her feet, grab for toys on the other side of it and she was up a bit so she could look around a little. (Which also helped with strengthening her neck I think.)

I don't know if the pushing with her feet helped strengthen her legs or what, but she crawled about a week before 8 months quickly followed by running the length of the couch and cruising around holding the walls a couple weeks later and she's standing and almost walking on her own now at 9 1/2 months.

Always keep in mind though that every baby's different. Mine was actually pulling herself up to standing at 7 months BEFORE she learned to crawl. She crawled "late" because she preferred walking holding our fingers. Her eventual incentive to crawl was just to get over to things so she could pull herself up on them.

Answer 9

My oldest boy was sitting up by the time he was 4 and a half months, my youngest now 9 and a half months began sitting up by the time he was 5 months.It just depends on your child the doctors will tell you anywhere between 4 and 6mos.

Answer 10

Around 5 to 6 months! Let your baby play on the floor on a blanket and let them learn to roll and try maneuver around on their own! Give them time and your baby will be sitting and playing in no time!