8 Months : Not Sitting up on Her Own

Updated on January 15, 2008
R.G. asks from Indianapolis, IN
20 answers

I have a 8 m/o daughter who will be 9 m/o on 26th. She seems to be doing very well. She is doing perfect on her visits too and no concerns regarding her development for her Ped. She can role from while lying down from back on the floor to lie down on her tummy. She can sit steadily, scoot all over the house (she is very fast in it). She started to stand up steadily by holding on to other things or our hands, walks perfectly by holding the walker(moving truck) or our hands. She is getting better at all these things each day and her falls are getting lesser and lesser by each day.

My concern is when she is lying down then she can't or doesn't sit on her own. She needs somebody's help to help her to get up and sit. She can't do this on her own. But after that she is on her own, she doesn't need any body's support. You will find her scooting all over the house. If by mistake she falls then she will keep crying until somebody helps her to get up and sit. My husband think it's o.k. she will learn when she is ready but I am little concern about it. Is is too early for that concern? Do you guys think she is doing well? Do I need to take her to Ped. or should I wait for her next 12 month regular checkup? She hasn't started scrolling either.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you guys for your responses. I knew I could count on you guys. It's kind of late but I was waiting for some change in her actions before replying back. Through your responses I learned about the both sides of the issue and kind of got confused about whether to set back and wait or to go to a tharapist. On my daughter's last 7 months's visit to her doc. she was doing great and our doc. told me that there is no need for her 9 months's visit and I could bring her back on her 1 year's visit. So I will still debating to take her there or not. But just three days ago my daughter herself resolved all the issues. First my husband reported that he saw her sitting in her crib and yesterday I caught her getting up when I was changing her diaper. Funny thing is that now it is getting harder and harder to keep her on her back to change her diaper and clothes.
She finished her 9 months on the 26th of Jan. Now she can sit up on her own don't need anybody's help to make her sit, she can stand on her own by holding on to table and other stuff, she also started walking, of course by holding on to something, but she is very good at it. She is still scooting and not at all crawling. I think she is going to skip this part.

Once again thank you so much for all your advices.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from South Bend on

My daughter didn't even sit up on her own without support until she was 8 months old. She didn't crawl until she was 11 months or walk until 17 months. Now she's 9 and is constantly in motion! Don't worry--each child develops at their own pace and will reach their milestones in their own good time.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Chicago on

I wouldn't be worried. Every child is different.
I've known of children that didn't scoot or crawl at all. They just got up and started walking. Just because she is missing a step, doesn't mean that there is anything wrong.
If she's doing the other things that you say, it sounds like she's maybe even more advanced than you think.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Chicago on

she's doing well - I wouldn't worry. the more you "help" her to sit (instead of letting her struggle with it), the less likely she will be able to do it on her own. just think of yourself doing push-ups... if you didn't struggle and work at it, you wouldn't be able to do it without using your knees, right? her muscles just need to strengthen - which will come with time as long as she works at it.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Chicago on

I dont think any of us really go from our backs to sitting. Babies usually roll onto their tummy, then get up on all 4s and go crawl and from crawling, they may go to sitting but often they are so intent on moving that they don't sit. My little 8 month old was an early crawler (5 months) but didn't sit as well because she wanted to move. Why sit when you can go? :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Chicago on

Since you're concerned, it wouldn't hurt to at least call your pediatrician and then take your daughter in if your doctor advises.

My daughter was also unable to sit up at 8 months and I had myself all worked up about potential back problems and the like. She was fine and sat up on her own when she was ready (10 months old, or so).

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

My dd is 11 months old and she can't sit up from a laying down position. She can roll onto all fours and then sit. I really don't think it's that big of a deal. Sitting straight up from a flat on your back position is even difficult for adults. Try it. Lay flat on your back and sit straight up. I'm positive that you have NOTHING to worry about. It seems to me that your little girls is perfectly normal.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.Y.

answers from Chicago on

I am truely not sure if tat is a concern but I do know where you can find out. I would call Early Intervention or the Counties Health Department both places are very nice. My Daughter was in the Early Intervention program because she could couldn't roll over come to find out her stomach muscles weren't developed. They are great people and can do a evaluation. Hope this helps!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with trying Early Intervention. Your pediatrician can provide you the number of your local office or your school district can direct you to your local office of Children and Family Services sponsored by the State. If EI does an evaluation, you will find out immediately what services or therapies will be provided for your daughter. It could be something so simple like under-developed stomach muscles mentioned below. My son was in EI for other issues but he loved the program. I was always told that babies need TONS of tummy time to develop the muscle groups for their push up movements that eventually help them learn to roll over and sit up. Good luck! Judy

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.T.

answers from Chicago on

I would talk to your ped but it sounds like she just needs some help in learning how to go from lying to sitting. My trio needed help with that too are in an early intervention program through Suburban Access. Initially, they received physical therapy to help them reach their physical milestones. They have since graduated from PT but we're still in the program for Speech Therapy. We had a GREAT PT and I have her contact information if you want it. Once we started PT, they were caught up to their chronological age by the time they were 15 months. So for us, PT lasted about 9 or 10 months.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

My son was the same, it wasn't until he crawled pretty well that he realized all he had to do was get up o his knees and back up to a sitting position. Don't worry too much, it will come!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.I.

answers from Chicago on

I wouldnt worry at all!!! Every baby is different. My son is almost 7 months and cant roll either way but since he can crawls backwards and can sit up the dr. at the visit today actually said there is no need to worry. If she is getting around I think her muscles are working find. I wouldnt make an appt. to check it out. You can ask at her next visit but like I said all babies are different and they dont always go by the book as far as rolling, sitting, crawling. She will eventually get the hang of it.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Fort Wayne on

About 20+ yrs ago (in HS) I volunteered at Parkview Hos. The children that I worked with had an issue with their muscles. They either could not sit from a lying position or could not lift their head up while lying on the floor. These children were btwn 1 and 3 yo. There was a name for what they had but unfortunately it has been too many yrs to recall it.
I would suggest asking her Dr about different muscle issues in children. Under/Over developed muscles etc. and see if there are any exercises that she could be doing to help.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.

answers from Chicago on

I would NOT be concerned about this right now! My son surprised me one day when he was around that age - I found him sitting up in his crib. It took another 2 weeks before I actually caught him in the act to see how he did it. (Strangely, he did it in a way that I would have NOT expected - by walking his feet towards his hands while on his stomach.)

I wouldn't worry. If she hasn't done it herself by 12 months, THEN you're allowed to worry :) (And don't worry at all about crawling etc. My son didn't start this until he was 11 months old - and he started walking a week later! I know lots of kids who didn't walk until they were 15-16 months. Every kid is different.)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Dear R.,
If she is doing all that you say then I would not worry about it and just ask the doctor at her 1 year checkup. (I bet she will be doing it by then.)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi R., I agree with all the other moms: every child develops differently!!!! But as you are concerned why not showing her how to get from all fours over her back to sitting (thats how my son did it)? Just a couple of times a day, like everytime you have to sit her up because she is upset. Don't just take her up but move her the way it seems to be natural for her. You can also do it while playing with her. Just get on the floor, on your tummy and then to sitting and encourage her to imitate you. I loved to do crunches with my son to develop his tummy muscles. We faced each other and held hands and then: up and down, up and down. Pretty good workout for both of us and a lot of fun for the little one. Just try to have fun while showing her and do something against your concerns. It's been three days since you posted maybe she sits already :-)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

A friend and I had our babies about the same time. At 9 months mine was walking (I'm sure trying to keep up with his older brother had something to do with it) and my friends little boy still wasn't sitting up and could barely hold his head up. It's hard not to compare your children with others, but it's best not too because it gets moms worried. My friends son is now walking and advancing very well!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.T.

answers from Muncie on

My little one is 1 1/2 next month. She still needs help sitting up from laying on her back. She has to roll over then sit up. Try not to worry, if you are still worried you can call your doctor, they usually have a nurse there to answer question. Ask.

Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

Most states have an early intervention program, sometimes called First Steps. It is for children under three, it's free. After three, the public school system takes over. If you can't find it, call your local school system's special education department, and they should be able to tell you. They will come out to your house and evaluate your child in the areas of Physical Therapy, Language Development, Occupational Therapy, and Developmental Delays, usually in one day. Any therapies that your little girl might qualify for would be provided for in your house on a sliding scale, usually around 5-10 dollars per session. I hesistated to call them on my second son, but when I finally did, I found out that he wasn't hearing anything. I wasted lots of time that could have been used with thearpies to help him because I thought he'd "catch up". The best outcome would be, "She's fine," and then you can sleep well at night. Even if she qualifies for Physical Therapy, a few months of therapy will mean a world of difference. It's way better to know.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Fort Wayne on

My daughter had the same problem she was even taking a few steps on her own before she learned how to sit on her own. I was extremley concerned and got a hold of her doc and they told me to talk to first steps program. They can come to your home and do an initial consultation with you and your child. Then in a week or two you will get a letter saying if your child qualifies and if they don't for some reason which mine didn't they gave me some tips and tricks on how to help her feel confident to do it all on her own. She was about 13 months old before she began really sitting up on her own.So i would talk to your doctor and see if they have a first steps program around you. Its also kind of like walking they will do it when they are ready.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Evansville on

I don't think it is really anything but i know my twins are in First steps right now. For speech and other stuff but is doing well now. If anything ask your doc at her first year check up and then see if anything is wrong. If anything for us it does not cost us anything for our kids to be in the program for first steps and if anything they told me most people don't pay much. If you would like me to ask anything from them i can. They will be at my house tomorrow. Please email me at ____@____.com they can tell you or please responed for 12 noon so i can ask. thanks C.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches