Sitting Up
Once a baby can roll over, sitting up isn't far behind. Babies have a whole new view of the world when they learn to sit up. So it's as exciting for them as it is for their parents!
- By about 4 months of age, your baby can sit when propped up.
- By 6 months your baby may have some success sitting in a high chair, and sometime before 1 year of age, she'll perfect the art of sitting unaided.
To help baby practice sitting skills:
1. Place him in your lap, facing outward, while you sit cross-legged on the floor. Your stomach and legs will provide the necessary support for his back.
2. Prop baby on a standard pillow or a U-shaped pillow. Let him experience the sensation of sitting with your supervision.
Crawling and Walking
Between 8 and 13 months, your child will achieve some form of locomotion. Parents often view crawling and walking as the greatest physical milestones for their babies. While it's very exciting, you should remember that each child develops uniquely and at his own pace. If you have concerns about your baby's development about locomotion, discuss it with his pediatrician. But most babies will follow a recognizable pattern of learning locomotion:
- First he'll likely get himself up on his hands and knees.
- Next he'll rock back and forth in an effort to move forward.
- He'll develop different ways of getting around, such as rocking, swiveling, rolling, and squirming on his tummy.
- After about a month of this, you'll see him begin to progress toward a true crawl.
- Many babies learn to crawl backward first, but it's not long before they learn to crawl in the right direction.
- Not all babies crawl in the same fashion. In fact, some don't crawl at all and instead insist on walking with an adult holding their hands. Others bounce on their bottom, scoot along on their stomach, or do a "bear walk," crawling with arms and legs extended.
