Sitting up and Crawling

Updated on February 20, 2009
M.B. asks from Ballwin, MO
19 answers

Hi Moms! My little man is getting so big! 5 months old already! But I dont remember when babies start to sit up on their own. He doesnt yet, not even close. If I let him go, he will just plop right over, I only do this on the bed by the way. As far as crawling, my daughter was about 7 months before she started crawling, but I know she was sitting up for a long time before she started crawling. When he is on his belly, he will put his arms and legs up and try to scoot like that....lol its pretty funny, he looks like hes trying to surf. He doesnt get on his hands and knees yet. He does roll over both ways though. He does get a lot of tummy time. Anyways just curious on when your little ones started crawling/sitting up on their own. Or if I should practice more with him? I dont know?

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So What Happened?

Thanks Moms! He is getting a little better at sitting up. I didnt think about him not being able to sit up on the bed since its so unstable to begin with.....dur! I got the boppy out and use cushions. He still plops over but I can tell he is trying to balance more now that he knows about falling over...Haha! Hes so cute and getting so big!! =)

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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Don't count on much til the 6 month then it's the time a lot of stuff starts happening sitting up, crawling, teething. Everything is approximate, but 6 months is when my 3 kids and 6 grandkids started sitting up.

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M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Molly, A little one I watch is 9 months old, he just got to where he can sit himself up this week. He is not crawling, although he can get around by rolling and scooting.

M.

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A.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi Molly,

I haven't read all of the responses, but figured I'd add my experiences too.

First, I wouldn't worry, if I learned nothing else from being a Mom I've learned that every kid develops at a different rate. I've stopped reading the charts that say your baby might be doing... should be doing ... my daughter was always way ahead in some areas and way behind in others, and she seems to be developing just fine.

Having said that... I honestly can't remember when she started sitting entirely unassisted, but I know it was after 6 or 7 months, because she needed assistance in her 6 mo picture. As far as crawling goes, I was pretty sure she never was going to crawl. She liked standing (propped up against furniture), but show zero interest in tummy time or crawling. She started cruising around 11 months, took her first steps around 12 months, and THEN discovered crawling. Pretty much halted her progress on walking at one or two unassisted steps, and crawled for like 5 - 6 more weeks, and then when she was almost 14 months went back to making progress on walking.

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C.G.

answers from Columbia on

Sounds like he is right on target and great job for giving him lots of tummy time! As practice, you can sit on the floor with your legs out and sit him right in front of you while the two of you play with toys in front of him. That way, he can practice balancing, and he has your legs to lean on and catch his fall.

C. G.

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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

My son was about 6 1/2 months when he started sitting up on his own. And about 7 or 8 mths when he crawled, which he really didnt crawl, he would roll over to things and pull himself up and walk along things. His daddy never crawled either went from sitting on his own to walking.

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J.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Molly -

Sounds like my little man! He's 8 months now and crawling all over the place, but he was about 5-6 months before he started sitting up really well. We used a Boppy behind him for support when he was learning so he didn't wonk his head.

Lots of tummy time, toys just out of his reach, and encouraging words from you and he'll be moving in no time!

J

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S.T.

answers from St. Louis on

My little guy sat up by himself at 6 1/2 months. He crawled at 8 1/2 months. Boys tend to do things a little later than girls. He sounds like he is right on track!!

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

My son was 41/2 months old with practice till he was able to do it on his own yes he plopped over by himself but it didn't hurt him he was practicing his balance my daughter was 5 months old.With practice everyday and letting go of them to balance helps out I suggest not using the bed though but the floor where it is steady and even.

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M.L.

answers from Wichita on

My first two needed help to sit up in their 6 month picture. My third was sitting great at 6 months. All girls.

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J.H.

answers from St. Louis on

Well, he's slower at doing things because he is a boy. NO, I'm totally joking! (I couldn't resist! haha...) You really can't compare the things that your two children did/do to one another b.c every child is So different. By the time they are all 16 years old THEN (wink) they should all probably be doing the same thing, but until then there is no reason to compare. My second son was rolling over both ways at 2 months old, but he wasn't sitting up unassisted until lately, and he just turned 7 months yesterday. He would put his arms straight out and lift his chest up and we'd say that he's practicng to be an airplane! He def. gets around now but he doesn't crawl or scoot, he does this combination sitting/spinning/legs straight out under him......thing that gets him from here to there. My first son never really "crawled" either, but he scooted a little more gracefully than my second son seems to be doing, and then he was walking at 10 months. Anyway, hope that helps, have fun! :o)

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning Molly, Your little guy is doing great. He will get it soon I am sure. Zane actually never crawled until it was almost time to walk. He is almost 17 months now. He was really great doing the military or firemans crawl. Arms, no legs...lol If I remember ( getting harder everyday LOL ) he didn't sit up for quite a while either. We used one of the foam form Bumpees?? seats. He would slump to the side or forward...:))But he loved being in the middle of all the activity so that helped us alot. You can set them on the countertop, table anywhere flat. FYI we put him on the washer during spin he giggled and giggled. So did we..

He will be fine Molly, just let him play and keep up with tummy time. Get up close and personal crawl & play with him
on the floor.

God Bless
K. Nana of 5
PS to Hubby. Come on sweetie you can do ALL things...lol

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A.L.

answers from Kansas City on

He sounds fine, but you have a great program in Missouri called Parents As Teachers, call your school district and check it out, they should visit the little one as well as the older one. They can tell you what things to look for them to do and they bring toys to play with!! It is a free program, Missouri's is the best because this state is where PAT started. They also do screenings. Thanks! A.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

it really sounds as if your son is on target! I wouldn't worry about sitting up at this point. To help aid in developing the muscles for this skill, does he use a high chair or exersaucer/walker? This will really help...& you can always use a towel rolled up to help hold him in position.

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L.S.

answers from Wichita on

Hello Molly!

I read some of the responses you've received and I'm getting the impression you're not supposed to worry about it!! lol LOTS of great advice and I'd have told you to do the same.

My daughter was 13 mo old when she crawled AND walked! It took about a week! I tried and tried to get her to crawl. I was not getting anywhere with her.

It wasn't until we had to move into my sister's house after being in a flood that my then, four-year-old nephew, taught her in one week to crawl and walk!! I was in utter amazement!! While she sat on the floor, he would get on his hands and knees and zoom circles around her. She mimicked him... it worked! While she was crawling around, he would run circles around her. Again, with a little "wobbly-ness", she mimicked him... it worked!!

My nephew is now 15. My two-year-old son SO looks up to his cousin. It's so funny to see those two together at church. My son loves him so much. When my son sees a young teenage boy at church, he calls him my nephew's name!

Sorry! I know that has nothing to do with sitting up, but I wanted to share that with you. lol

So what I'm saying here is, "Don't worry about it!!" All kids learn in their own time at their own pace. Remember to enjoy him, this won't last forever.

Hope this crazy story helped, ls

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N.D.

answers from St. Louis on

My son was 6 months when he sat up on his own... don't worry! If you haven't already, you should get involved with Parents as Teachers, they come out to your house, free! They go over development and let you know when your child is. They come out a number of times during the school year! IT'S an awesome service!

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M.S.

answers from Springfield on

Most kids don't sit up on their own untill around 6 months old or older. I used to prop my kids with pillows around them, untill they could sit up on their own. Both of my kids never crawled they used to just roll on the floor to where they wanted to go. they both walked at one year old, from M..

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S.W.

answers from Columbia on

I had 4 boys and none of them sat up until they crawled neither did my grandson who I watch. they all did things at different times my youngest was walking at 8 months but my second son was 17 months he crawled so fast he did not want to take the time to walk.Just enjoy your son encourage him but he will do it in his own time and by the time they are 2 they are all about even. SAFETY on the foam sets says only place on floor because of accidents

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D.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My little one finally sat on his own and then decided to crawled away all in the same week - a bit after turning 7 months. It was frustrating when he wouldn't sit and the other kids did during our baby activities, but that's just who he is!

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E.S.

answers from Kansas City on

well my daughter who just turned one didn't start sitting really well until she was 6 months. around 4-5 months she would sit using her arms as props. But that is because I would put her on the floor since it is a nice flat surface that can't move and throw her balance off. Also we used a bumbo chair with her and it helped her sit better.

The best thing you can do is practice everyday with him but make sure you let him try it on the floor so that when you sit next to him he isn't leaning one way or another due to the soft surface. If your worried about him falling over try putting pillows around him. Just remember they have to fall over to learn how to land.

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