Is it unusual that my 6 month old son has not been able sit without support yet?

Question

He has exotropia (his eyes point outward also known as wall eyes) which he will have surgery on near his first birthday. His eyes are starting to line up and focus but doesn't make consistent eye contact. He is not particularly fond of being on his tummy and has not yet pushed himself up to support himself on his elbows during tummy time. We also haven't been able to give him as much tummy time as we normally would have because he has had a significant problem with reflux.
- Worried parents

Answer 1

You need to understand some facts about infants so you will quit worrying.

1. Infants do not get eye coordination until around a year of age. This is because their brains are not developed enough for the all the proper connections to be made. This causes the infant to see double images and blurry images for much of their first year. This vision developement causes balance problems for the infant and he will sit up on his own as he learns to adjust and trust himself. Your Dr. is waiting until that 1st year to see if his eyes will come together and function properly on their own. I have two nephews born with this problem and their eyes corrected on their own. They are both adults now and have 20/20 vision.

2. My daughter had the same problems with reflux. She never did crawl because of it. When we laid her on her tummy she would scream, cry and throw up her food and formula. For this reason we would put her in a chair or on the sofa propped up with pillows. When she was in her 7 month I was playing the walking thing with her. You know, holding her under the arms and swinging her legs like she was taking steps. When I got her next to the coffee table she grabbed hold and wanted to stay there. After about an hour later she started moving along the length of the table. At 8 1/2 months she let go of the table and started walking a few steps.

3. As I said above that my daughter had reflux. She is 36 and suffered with it until last month. She finally found a Doctor that conducted the proper tests and discovered her Reflux is being caused by a Bacteria. This Bacteria also causes some types of Ulcers. Twenty Five days ago the Dr. started her on a 3 month Antibotic treatment. The first 2 nights the reflux bouts were of normal intensity. On the 3rd night she had a very mild bout of reflux. On the 4th night it was only mild heartburn. On the 5th night my daughter slept the first night of her life without a bout of Reflux or Heartburn. She has not had a bout of reflux or heartburn since. When my daughter was an Infant the Doctors all said it was caused by her formula. Then it was the baby food. Then the Dr.'s said it was my wifes cooking causing it(boy, did they make a mistake with that statement).

Find a Dr. that specializes in this area and get your son properly evaluated. Many Dr.'s have never learned about this or refuse to accept that bacteria can cause it. It would be a real shame for him to suffer for many years when a few months of Antibotics will cure it. Remember, Reflux is a life threatening problem.

Answer 2

No your baby is not behind. Is he right on track for him. What book is this? All of those guidelines are just that guidelines to show around what time your baby may be doing things. But every baby develops at their own rate in their own time. If your concerned about it then ask your doctor but i think hes fine and just needs time. I have boy girl twins. Our girl is developmentally delayed. She couldnt sit supported till she was 8 months old didnt even roll over till she was 8 and a half months and didnt sit up unsupported till a week before her 9th month . And yesterday she finally pulled herself up to stand somewhere. Just keep practicing with him and he will get it. Good Luck.

Answer 3

My son suffers with reflux and tummy time is a great way to get the gas out for him. I also make my son sit up for about 30 minutes after he eats and this also helps with the reflux. Anyway, my son is also 6 months old and hasn't started sitting by himself yet. I do try to have him sit up with support every day. I'm trying really hard to get him to sit up, because he is growing out of his infant seat and I need him to able to sit by himself.

Answer 4

I understand your son not having much tummy time due to reflux, my son has the same. My son is 9mths old and still does not sit on his own, he has only started pushing up on his hands and knees in the last couple of weeks, he is pulling himself along the ground on his tummy. All kids are different and advance at different rates. Dont worry he'll be fine. I sit on the floor with my son and try to encourage him but he keeps on falling over to his side,it takes time.

Answer 5

a mother of 4 children, I know all children develop differently. My youngest didn't walk until she was 13 mth basically cause she was lazy. But some children just learn there skills at a later age just because of the mechanics of there body. Your son will eventually start showing signs he is ready for this but give him more encouragement by sitting him up and letting go with arms ready to go to catch..he will soon enough develop his own bravery and way to do all this on his own

Answer 6

he is okay some baby do not sit without support until they are older one of my baby's were 12 months old and he never crawled he is now 28 years old i have 5 children and 11 grandchildren i have 4 brothers 4 sisters a very large family some sit at a young age some sit older but they all sit

Answer 7

dont worry about it some kids take their own sweet time to sit up without support
my 10 month old son sat only at 7 months
just be cool !!
they have their whole life ahead to sit so the baby is chilling out i guess!