6 Month Old Baby Not Sitting up Unsupported Yet, or Crawling Is This Normal?

My son did not it unsupported until 7 mos, and did not crawl until 9 mos. Every child is different, and your daughter will do things in her own time. I wouldn't worry unless she's a year and still not sitting/crawling. Give her time & relax!! :)

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My son was right on "normal" schedule for these milestones, and he didn't sit up til right around 6 mos and crawled at 7. He walked at 11 mos, so he was certainly not behind, so I doubt yours is either. Your first just sounds VERY advanced. Don't worry, I'm sure she is fine. As for the bumbo, they don't really help teach them sit up as far as I could tell. It just seemed more like a way to let them sit up on their own before their muscles could do it for them. I have one, and used it for a very long time, but you may not get enough use out of it at this point to make it worth buying. My son is on the small side and once he stopped liking it to sit in (around 6 mos) I took it to my mom's house to use as a feeding chair there. He still fits in it at 2, but like I said, he is small. And we only use it as a booster. If your daughter is larger, her legs may not fit in the opening for very long.

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I can't remember when my kids sat up unsupported (I know my daughter was late), but my son didn't crawl until he was 8 months (and it was rolling over to the object he wanted from 7-8 months) and my daughter didn't crawl until she was 11 months old (she didn't walk until she was 19 months either, she just wanted to be coddled and do things at her own pace, and 6 years later and she is perfectly fine). We did use a bumbo seat for my son, but that was mainly for my sanity so I could let him sit up while I did something else (never put it on a raised surface though). Can she hold her own in a bouncer or activity station?

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I would not worry. I think your daughter is right on track. In order to encourage her to sit up, I would try a boppy pillow, or a bumbo seat. They even have tray accessories for the bumbo seat now. I think she is fine.

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I've NEVER heard of a baby crawling at 4 months.....the average is 7-9 months. I think babies usually sit around 7 months too. Don't worry--it sounds like everything's just fine!!! I know it's hard not to compare your children (I have 4), but it's better for them if you don't (especially if your first-born is such an "over-achiever" like mine is!!). :)

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My son did not sit unsupported until some time right around then either. I don't think it is that unusual. Something to consider when assessing her development is her size (height/weight). If she is a heavy/chunky or taller/longer baby, it may take her a bit longer, because it will require more muscle tone and control to support her weight or the distribution of her height. My son sat up later than I thought he "should" (judging by when my nieces seemed to sit up and what I was reading at the time), and I was wondering when the crawling would start too.. but the did. But he was walking.. well almost running... by 10.5 months. He was a "larger" baby at birth (8' 12") and stayed solid throughout. He had very strong legs early on... but just didn't have the upper body development yet for the balancing and control to sit alone.
Just be sure to give her lots of practice (just a few moments here or there, throughout the day -- not all at once), and she will get there.

Unless there is more going on that in total concerns you, then I wouldn't stress too much over her needing a little help still. If you are truly concerned, then ask her doc at her 6 month check-up.

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hi R.,
don't worry! everything is totally normal and all babies really are totally different. the best thing you can do is not use your first child as a benchmark but just watch how your second develops. it sounds like your first was waaay ahead of the "norm." my first and second are also very different. my second did not sit unassisted until seven months and didnt' crawl until nine months. now she's ten months and all over the place, pulling herself up and almost walking. with my first, he never crawled, just walked! he didn't move that much, didn't like to pull himself up, etc. but he's a very active and completely developed two and a half year old now. so don't stress, just try to tune into your baby's personality and respect how she does things.

good luck :)

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I remember my daughter was about 7 months when she could sit up on her own. Can't remember the crawling, but all three started walking around 14 months. Their verbal skills, however, were amazing. No worries!

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My daughter sat up at 6 months, but didn't roll over until 7 months, crawl until a year old, and walk at 16 months. She is now 26 months. She started talking around 18 months and can now out-talk most 3 year olds. She also knows all of her colors, letters, and can count to 7 most of the time. Her fine motor skills are also very impressive. She has a perfect pencil grip and can pick up the tiniest things off the floor.

No need to buy a Bumbo seat at this point! They are great, but mostly for when they are able to hold their heads up until they can sit up independently....which is a much longer time than the next month or so you may have to wait for your daughter.

I would suggest putting a Boppy (or a couple of pillows) behind her so if she does fall backwards, her head is cushioned. A Boppy will give a little bit more support, but if you don't have one see if you can borrow one from a friend. Bumbo's are around $45 - $50 and Boppy's are around $30.

You could also sit her on the floor with the base of the couch behind her and give her a few toys to play with. Then, move toys away so she has to do something to get there.

My daughter was just so easily amused with the carpet and watching everyone else that she felt no desire to move. She just isn't a physical kid, but it appears an academic one. :)

No need to worry at this point. I read today that only 50% of kids hit the TYPICAL milestones that we associate with their ages. Also remember that we don't put our babes to sleep on their tummies anymore and they don't have that body strength they would have had if we did.

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As a childcare provider, I've cared for many, many, many babies and helped them through the early stages fo development. I wouldn't worry about your daughter crawling yet, but have some suggestions for helping her develop the skills to sit. What is her muscle development like? Will she stand with support or do her legs just collapse under her? Are her core muscles (chest, stomach) strong enough that she can ride on your hip supported only under her butt or do you have to hold her back to keep her verticle? Many babies I've seen that aren't sitting by about 6 months old simply need to develop their core muscles more before they can achieve this milestone. I wouldn't recommend a Bumbo chair, because while their great starting at about 2-3 months, a 6 month old is typically to large to use one safely as they have enough height and body weight to throw themselves out of the Bumbo. I would recommend using an Exersaucer as much as possible to help your daughter develop her core muscles and her leg muscles. She may slouch forward and not stand in it for a while, but give her time and she will get strong enough to get verticle and stay verticle. Pretty soon she'll be bouncing and jumping in it! Other than that, prop her up in the corner of the couch and sit next to her to play with toys or read. Good luck!

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I had the same issue with my second child, also a daughter. She seemed to progress normally at the beginning, then she suddenly decided to stop trying to do everything. She even stopped smiling. My first child, a son, did everything a little ahead of schedule, ate well, slept well and was generally a happy kid. I was really worried when my daughter seemed to be so unhappy all the time and just "gave up" on progress. Here's the irony: my son, now 16 is a wonderful, warm hearted, sensitive and funny kid, is an average student and is a bit of a loner in school. My daughter finally decided (at about 7 and a half months) to find some determination to start progressing again. She's now 5 and the youngest in her kindergarten class. She has been reading since the age of 3, she's a math whiz, musically, she has perfect pitch, she has a booming social life, she LOVES to speak in front of her class (always volunteers to do it) and loves to be challenged in general. Pardon my little "brag" session, but I guess my point is, I was seriously worried too. I dragged her to the doctor multiple times, convinced she had autism or Asperger's Disease or something. From day one until about 15 months, she also did everything a little behind schedule, but boy has she made up for it! I imagine yours will too, but in the meantime, I'd bug the pediatrician about this a few times, just to be sure. Good luck!

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Hello. My daughter is almost 8 months and she can't sit up alone or crawl yet. Just like your child, my daughter can sit up if I'm behind her, but she tends to fall over alot. She was born a month early and I was told that she might be behind developmentally but by the time she is 1 she should catch up. I spoke to the doctor about it and he said anywhere between 7 and 10 months most babies start to crawl, but all babies are different and told me to not be upset. Both of my other daughters were crawling no later than 5 months. I wouldn't worry. They all do things in their own time.

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If you ask your doc they will tell you the same ALL babies hit there milestones @ different times. No baby is the exact same give hear a month or two she will surprise you she just might be a lil lazy because you help her but don't sweat it she will come around!

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I have a 6 month old and she doesn't do those things yet either. I'm not concerned yet. She appears to be a perfectly healthy normal baby who is simply not interested in being mobile yet.

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I'd recommend ruling out any serious diseases or conditions. Our cousin's daughter was not crawling or sitting up at around 6 months and when they got her checked out thoroughly they found she had a rare disease that affects motor development. Your daughter may be perfectly fine but I'd be sure they've ran every test for everything to be sure.

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I do not remember exactly when my son sat up. But I remember he did not by his six month pictures. He started to crawl at 7.5 months old. SO I do not think she is "behind" schedule.

Bumbo seat, yes we used that with my son. I think it did help. I liked mine.

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Oh my gosh, both my sons sat up unassisted between 6-7 months, crawled between 10-11 months, and walked by 15 months. Your child is perfectly normal! I wouldn't waste your money on the Bumbo. I used my Boppy to help them sit up and it worked just fine. Don't worry! (I'm still in shock your daughter walked at 9 months!)

Happy Parenting!

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hi-
I do agree that every child is different, but i understand your concern. i have some additional questions:
1) how is she on her belly?
can she push up on extended arms?
does she get onto her hands/knees?
2) can she roll front to back and back to front?
when she rolls does she bring her her backwards to roll or tuck her chin in to roll?
3) can she transition (move from) from laying on her back to side lying?
4) will she try to transition (move from) from side lying to sit?
5) in sitting does she ever fall forward? (or is it always backwards?)
6) when she falls to the side - does she ever try to stop her fall?
7) does she always remain in one position/prefer to be in one position (e.g. on her back)? or is she okay with being in different postions?

please feel free to e-mail me privately.

Here is a website that gives information on milestones:
http://www.pathwaysawareness.org/