Based on typical developmental milestones, practicing sitting at 3 months is generally too early for most babies to achieve this skill, even with support.
Understanding Baby Sitting Milestones
Learning to sit is a significant developmental step for babies, opening up new ways for them to interact with their environment. However, like all milestones, babies reach this at their own pace. The provided reference indicates a typical timeline for developing sitting skills:
- While some babies may begin to sit up with support around 4 months of age.
- Most babies will master the skill of sitting on their own independently around the 6th month of life.
This timeline suggests that 3 months is prior to when babies typically start even practicing sitting with support, making it unlikely for a baby to effectively practice sitting at this age.
What 3-Month-Olds Are Typically Doing
At 3 months, babies are often focusing on developing other crucial skills that lay the groundwork for sitting, such as:
- Strengthening neck and upper body muscles through tummy time.
- Improving head control.
- Pushing up on their arms when lying on their tummy.
- Bringing hands to mouth and batting at toys.
These activities are essential precursors to developing the strength and coordination needed for sitting.
When to Encourage Sitting Practice
While you can certainly hold your 3-month-old upright on your lap or support them while you're sitting, actively practicing the skill of sitting unsupported or with minimal support is typically introduced later, closer to the 4-month mark when some babies begin to show readiness with support. Independent sitting usually follows around 6 months.
It's important to wait until your baby shows signs of readiness, such as good head control and the ability to push up on their arms. Always supervise your baby closely during any attempt to sit and ensure they are on a soft surface in case they tumble.
