Supporting your new little sitter

Once your baby can easily hold their head upright and move it around as you support their boot, they’re ready to start practising sitting up on their own.
Experts say the best way for babies to practice sitting is to put them on a firm padded surface like a play mat or a carpet. Baby seats are convenient, but they don’t allow your baby to experience how their body weight shifts when they tip over.
At this stage, even if they enjoy sitting up, your baby should still be mostly horizontal on the floor. Continue giving them plenty of time on their tummy and back to strengthen their stomach, arm, back, and neck muscles.
Sometime between 5 and 8 months, most babies start to sit up independently.
Here’s how you can help your new little sitter:
- Sit on the floor with your baby between your legs, their back against your belly. In the earliest stages, they may sit with their hands on the floor in front of them to steady their body, or lean back against you.
- Once your baby is sitting up straighter, you can surround them with soft pillows or put them in an open plastic laundry basket with pillows for support (be sure to supervise).
- Wobbling and tipping over onto a soft surface is actually good for your baby! They’re tuning in to their inner sense of balance.
- Your baby may not be able to tolerate sitting for long periods; their cues will let you know when they want to stop.

Once your baby is sitting up consistently without using their hands for support, have them practice reaching for toys. Your baby is improving their balance and coordination as they use their hands to reach and play from a seated position.
In this post

The Play Gym
Lovevery’s award-winning, Montessori-inspired baby activity gym gives baby a whole year of play for their developing brain. See inside The Play Gym by Lovevery.
Learn morePosted in: 5 - 6 Months, The Play Gym, Gross Motor, Balance, Child Development
Keep reading

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 key elements to create a Montessori nursery
A Montessori-inspired nursery is simple and soothing. We've collected 7 of our favorite items here to help you design one that's right for your baby.

5 - 6 Months
“Swimming” in tummy time yet?
Your baby needs lots of tummy time to build core muscle strength for crawling. Here are the different stages of tummy time and ideas to make the most of them.

5 - 6 Months
Welcome to The Senser Play Kit for months 5-6
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the Senser Play Kit for months 5 and 6 of your baby's life.

5 - 6 Months
Developmental activities for babies 5 to 6 months old
Around 5-6 months, your baby is tasting, mouthing, and feeling every single thing they can get their hands on to discover and utilize all their senses.

5 - 6 Months
The big change in your baby’s vision
Your baby's eyesight changes rapidly in the first weeks of life. Here are four ways to help develop their vision.

5 - 6 Months
Mouthing and speech development (there’s a connection)
By mouthing objects, your baby builds a solid foundation for speech and sensory development. Find out what is safe for your baby to mouth.

5 - 6 Months
It’s magic! Why babies love our tissue box
The Magic Tissue Box is a great way for your baby to learn about emptying—and later filling—containers.

5 - 6 Months
Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ (and everything you need to know about it)
Your baby will likely roll from belly to back much sooner than rolling from back to belly. Here are the average ranges for when babies start rolling.

5 - 6 Months
It can last less than a minute, but makes a big difference
Books expose your baby to new vocabulary, rhyming and rhythm, and new language structures. Here's what to expect from reading at this age.

5 - 6 Months
Supporting your new little sitter
Baby seats are convenient, but don't allow your baby to experience how their weight shifts when they tip over. Here's how to help your baby practice sitting up.

5 - 6 Months
Your baby’s number 1 favourite activity for their entire first year
Husband of Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph demonstrates how to talk slowly during a house tour, a baby's favorite activity in their first year.

5 - 6 Months
Kicking play helps your baby learn to roll
Kicking play develops crucial motor skills. Learn why your baby kicks and some fun ways to encourage them to practice.

3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
5 fun ways to play with your baby from 4 weeks to 12 weeks old
Your 4- to 12-week old baby is fed, rested, and alert. But how do you play with them? Here are some easy ideas for baby’s first playtimes.