OK. My baby girl is 5 1/2 months old now! We plan to feed her solids around the 6 month mark. What is bothering me is that every book I read says that they should be able to basically sit up on their own before eating solids. Well she is nowhere near doing that! She just figured out how to roll onto her tummy the other day (she has rolled from her front to her back for awhile, but just now figured out the other way). But she can't hold up her head very long. She can sit up pretty well with support (like in her baby swing), but we still have the headhugger in the carseat because we took it out and her head was flopping around (that was a scary moment)!

Are most kids sitting up on their own by themselves by 6 months? My baby shows NO signs of readiness to learn either. She moves around on the floor a lot (scoots on her back by pushing with her legs) but can't hold her head up very long when we hold her in a sitting position. She does hold her head up when on her tummy. Is she just behind developmentally or is this normal?? I am just freaked out because it is like 2 weeks until she is supposed to be doing this??

However even though she can't sit up she seems to love to pretend to eat (moves her mouth like chewing when she sees DH and I eat), and we gave her a dab of salad dressing (not enough to swallow or anything, just to taste) and she LOVED it. She seems really interested in food (grabbing our food) but I am just not sure if it's ok to feed them if they can't sit up? like couldn't she choke or something?


Nichole

Don't fret mom. She will most likely be sitting up soon enough. How well does she sit in a high chair? Does she sleep on her belly or back? If she is a back sleeper, do you give her belly time? Belly time helps strengthen the neck muscles.

Try sitting her up with supports behind her.. but don't rush her. Try the belly time first to strengthen her neck ..

Don't fret mom. She will most likely be sitting up soon enough. How well does she sit in a high chair? Does she sleep on her belly or back? If she is a back sleeper, do you give her belly time? Belly time helps strengthen the neck muscles.

Try sitting her up with supports behind her.. but don't rush her. Try the belly time first to strengthen her neck ..

Well, we do give her belly time, but it is not very successful because she just rolls onto her back after a few minutes because she does not enjoy it that much. She will start hollering and screaming if we roll her back to her tummy after she has decided to be on her back. Today though she did roll onto her tummy of her own free will for a few minutes and then back to her back! she has never voluntarily rolled onto her tummy before, every other time it was an "accident" and upset her very badly to be on her tummy, LOL

She does not sit well in a high chair at all. Only her baby swing with the back slightly reclined. She can't sit straight up without flopping forward.

Yeah I probably am overreacting, it's hard when it's your first kid, my dh and i worry if she is developing right a lot, or if we are doing it right etc.

Thanks for the advice everyone

It is normal to fret with your first. Roll up a blanket and put her over that or they make some really good belly mats. Put toys in front of her to occupy her. Just try a little everyday.

If you have a lot of concerns, just check with her ped.

I agree that all babies have their own time-table. It might make you feel better to have a developmental evaluation. Not sure where you live, but they are free in all 50 states. You can do a search under "your state" and early intervention. In KY and IN it's called "First Steps". If she is found to have a delay, she may be able to have a physical or occupational therapist to help you with some exercises to strengthen her neck and trunk muscles. My daughter needed early intervention and it was extremely helpful! PM if you want me to help you find more info.

unfortunately not in the US!! LOL!! I live in Canada. They do developmental assessments for free here too, at certain times so maybe I will call and make an appointment. That's a good idea, thanks!

Again, I don't think you have anything to worry about, but sometimes just a confirmation from the Dr. or therapist can be such a relief. :)

Well I went to the doctor, and he said his children had the same problem of not holding up their head very well and it's because they're just SO BIG! Katherine is in the 95th percentile for height and weight, and he said with big babies they need longer to develop the muscles because they've got a heavier head.

So yeah, my baby isn't "delayed" she's just got a fat head LOL !

We have high chairs that can recline, which is GREAT.

Our boys have big heads too- :) We started them on solids around 6 months, but they didn't really sit up unsupported until 8 months.