8 month old still falls over a lot in sitting position

[Anonymous]

My 8 month old DS has been pretty much sitting unsupported for about a month to a month and a half, but he still falls over a lot. He tends to shove a toy in his mouth and kind of press himself backwards, which makes him topple over backwards. I always have to have a pillow behind him or he would hit his head. He will also fall forward sometimes, mostly when he's lunging for a toy, but that is a bit more coordinated and he tends to get himself into a crawling position. It's the falling backwards that I'm most concerned about. Otherwise, his motor skills seem okay. He is scoots around on his belly a bit and seems close to crawling - rocks back and forth a lot on hands and knees. Is this within the range of normal? I will certainly discuss it with the doctor at his 9 month visit. I guess it just hit me that he's just turned 8 months and still doing this. Thought he would be a bit more steady by now. He actually seems to sort of dislike sitting - seems to prefer trying to crawl. Thanks for any advice!

[Anonymous]

Is he getting into the sitting position on his own?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is he getting into the sitting position on his own?

No.

[Anonymous]

Bring it up at the nine month visit. Nine months is the outer limit for sitting securely and getting into the position unassisted. My son did not sit unsupported at nine months and it was our first indication that he had low tone.

[Anonymous]

Meh, my DS was still like that at 8 months. Does he have a big head?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is he getting into the sitting position on his own?

No.

Some babies do tend to topple over b/c they are top heavy. It's not a big deal, but I'd stop putting him in the sitting position. Put him on his belly, he may not like sitting very much b/c he hasn't developed the core strength to sit up comfortably. He also sounds like he wants to be working on crawling which will also add strength.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bring it up at the nine month visit. Nine months is the outer limit for sitting securely and getting into the position unassisted. My son did not sit unsupported at nine months and it was our first indication that he had low tone.

Hmm, now I'm even more worried. I did not realize they were supposed to be getting into the sitting position unassisted yet - wouldn't they need to be crawling well first? Or maybe I'm wrong. He just turned 8 months and is not crawling yet. Sounds like he's more behind than I thought.

[Anonymous]

My 10 month old doesn't get into sitting position. She doesn't care to sit. She crawls or pills up and cruises. They don't always do exactly what you would expect.

[Anonymous]

Chill out, mom.

You have a long road ahead of you and comparing your baby's every "milestone" to the norm is a recipe for a breakdown.

[Anonymous]

Mine is 9 months today and doesn't get into sitting position on his own, though he's close. He will sit for a few minutes, but then sees something he wants and topples down to get it. He loves to crawl around. We saw a neuro for something else and she did note he has very mild low tone, but nothing concerning. Try not to worry, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring it up at the nine month visit. Nine months is the outer limit for sitting securely and getting into the position unassisted. My son did not sit unsupported at nine months and it was our first indication that he had low tone.

Hmm, now I'm even more worried. I did not realize they were supposed to be getting into the sitting position unassisted yet - wouldn't they need to be crawling well first? Or maybe I'm wrong. He just turned 8 months and is not crawling yet. Sounds like he's more behind than I thought.

My kid didn't get into a sitting position until probably 10.5 months. He just wasn't interested. He wanted to be moving around. I don't think 9 months is the limit for being able to get into a sitting position, just that they should be sitting unassisted for a few minutes at a time by 9 months if you put them in that position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring it up at the nine month visit. Nine months is the outer limit for sitting securely and getting into the position unassisted. My son did not sit unsupported at nine months and it was our first indication that he had low tone.

Hmm, now I'm even more worried. I did not realize they were supposed to be getting into the sitting position unassisted yet - wouldn't they need to be crawling well first? Or maybe I'm wrong. He just turned 8 months and is not crawling yet. Sounds like he's more behind than I thought.

Mine started crawling at 8 months, but she wasn't pushing herself up into sitting (or even rolling much for that matter) until she started to crawl. I'd casually bring it up at the 9 month appointment but don't stress too much about it. They all have their own timelines with this stuff.

[Anonymous]

My 9 month old can't get into the sitting position and topples over all the time. Not worried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring it up at the nine month visit. Nine months is the outer limit for sitting securely and getting into the position unassisted. My son did not sit unsupported at nine months and it was our first indication that he had low tone.

Hmm, now I'm even more worried. I did not realize they were supposed to be getting into the sitting position unassisted yet - wouldn't they need to be crawling well first? Or maybe I'm wrong. He just turned 8 months and is not crawling yet. Sounds like he's more behind than I thought.

OP, please don't be worried. Your kid isn't behind. 9 Months is the guideline for when kids start to get themselves in the sitting position: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-9mo.html

There's a range of normal. Give your kid some tummy time. He's toppling himself over b/c he's not ready to sit unsupported.

[Anonymous]

I don't think I'd stress about this. Your kid sounds like he just periodically gets excited about a toy and throws himself off balance when not paying attention to sitting because he's trying to get something into his mouth. Even kids who are pretty adept sitters have a risk of doing this periodically when they are focused on something else.

I'd mention it at your appointment, but I wouldn't stress too much. As for getting into the sitting position, I would put your baby down on his belly more often so that he gets practice getting into the sitting position, but getting into it will probably also come as he's learning to crawl.