When Do Babies Sit Up? Supporting This Milestone

Sitting independently opens up a whole new world for your baby. From this upright position, they can see more, reach more, and play in new ways. It's a major milestone that sets the stage for crawling, pulling up, and eventually walking.

Sitting requires strong core muscles, good balance, and coordination—all skills that develop gradually through earlier milestones like tummy time and rolling. AAP

When Do Babies Sit Up?

Typical progression: CDC

• 4 months: May sit with support (hands or prop)
• 5 months: Tripod sitting (uses hands for balance)
• 6 months: Sits with minimal support
• 7-9 months: Sits independently without support
• 8-9 months: Gets into sitting position from lying down

What "independent sitting" means:
Baby can sit upright without using hands for support, without toppling over, for at least 30 seconds to a minute. They can reach for toys while sitting and recover balance if they start to tip.

Stages of Sitting

Supported sitting (4-5 months): Mayo

• Baby sits when propped
• Needs full support from hands, pillows, or caregiver
• Building core strength
• Practices head control

Tripod sitting (5-6 months):

• Sits with hands on floor for balance
• May wobble or tip
• Can sit briefly if distracted
• Getting stronger

Independent sitting (6-8 months):

• Sits without hand support
• Can reach for toys while sitting
• Recovers from wobbles
• Plays happily while sitting

Getting into sitting (7-9 months):

• Can get into sitting position independently
• Transitions from lying down to sitting
• Moves in and out of sitting easily
• Full mastery of the skill

How to Help Baby Practice Sitting

Supported sitting practice: AAP

• Sit baby between your legs for support
• Use pillows (Boppy, nursing pillow) around baby
• Hold baby's hips while they sit
• Practice on soft surfaces

Tripod practice:

• Guide baby to put hands on floor
• Place toys in front to encourage leaning forward
• Let them feel the balance
• Stay close to catch wobbles

Building the foundation:

• Continue tummy time (core strength)
• Floor time (all positions)
• Pull-to-sit games (gently pull baby to sitting)
• Let baby push against your hands while lying down

Play that helps:

• Hold toys for baby to reach while sitting
• Play patty-cake and similar games
• Roll balls to baby
• Engage at eye level

Safety Considerations

While learning to sit: Mayo

• Always supervise
• Use soft surfaces (carpet, play mat)
• Clear area of hard objects
• Stay close to catch falls
• Be ready for sudden topples

Once sitting:

• Babies fall over unexpectedly
• Never leave on elevated surfaces
• Watch for choking hazards within reach
• Begin baby-proofing floor level

Common Concerns

Baby prefers to lean forward:
This is normal early on. Core strength is still building. The upright posture comes with practice.

Baby always falls to one side:
Some asymmetry is normal initially. If it persists, mention to your pediatrician—could indicate muscle tightness.

Baby skipped sitting:
Some babies crawl before sitting independently. They'll usually master sitting soon after. Watch overall progress.

Baby seems wobbly for a long time:
This is normal! It takes months to fully master balance. By 9-10 months, most babies sit very steadily.

When to Be Concerned

Talk to your doctor if: CDC

• No sitting with support by 6 months
• No independent sitting by 9 months
• Very floppy or stiff body
• Uses only one side of body
• Lost sitting ability after having it
• Significant delays in other areas too

What Sitting Enables

New play opportunities:

• Both hands free for toys
• Can see more of surroundings
• Better interaction with others
• Self-feeding practice begins

Next developmental steps:

• Pivoting while sitting
• Reaching in all directions
• Transitioning in/out of sitting
• Moving toward crawling position

What Other Parents Ask

Q: Should I use a sitting support device?
A: Occasional use is fine, but babies learn best from practice on the floor. Too much time in devices can delay muscle development. Floor time is best. AAP

Q: My baby sits well but can't get into sitting position. Is that okay?
A: Yes! Sitting independently and getting into sitting are different skills. Many babies sit well before they can get into sitting position from lying down. Mayo

Q: Is it okay to prop my baby up to sit before they can do it alone?
A: Brief supported sitting practice is fine and helpful. Just don't leave baby propped and unsupervised, and balance with tummy time and floor play.

Q: My 5-month-old can sit. Is that early?
A: Some babies sit early! Every baby develops at their own pace. Make sure they're also getting tummy time for other important development.

The Bottom Line

Sitting is a major milestone that typically develops between 4-9 months. It requires core strength, balance, and practice. Support your baby through plenty of floor time, supervised practice, and patience.

Key points:

• Tripod sitting: 5-6 months
• Independent sitting: 6-8 months
• Getting into sitting: 7-9 months
• Wide variation is normal
• Floor time is the best practice
• Stay close while baby is learning

Clara is here to help you support your baby's sitting milestone!