The reality about baby W-sitting; is it a problem or not

When my second baby started sitting, he used to sit with his legs behind him, knees in front, and his feet close to his hips. My hubby’s colleague came to our house for dinner and said your baby sits in a W-sitting position. 

Then, this word was new to me, and it was my habit of searching that forced me to search for it. I also learned that the baby’s legs look like a W shape while sitting, which is called W-sitting.

Why do children sit in a w-sitting?

W-shaped sitting is very common in children. And many like to sit like this. There are two reasons for sitting like this. Some babies are born with a curved femur at the top of their hip bone. It is fine.

• Children’s joints are flexible, so it is easy for them to sit on this object. We think that sitting in this shape hurts the baby, but it is not so. Children sit in this position for a long time without any discomfort or fatigue.
• I noticed that when my baby sits in W shape, he uses his hands best while playing, and if I forbade him from sitting in W shape, he would sit back in W shape and start playing. Plays very well by setting your body between your thighs and legs, removing the obstruction of your legs and feet. W position frees children to play while in other positions, they don’t feel comfortable with their body.

It is not bad or harmful to sit in W- sitting

For some time and then to sit in another position. Children keep changing their sitting position while playing. But if they just sit in the W position and don’t change their position even for a while, then now you need to worry and contact a pediatrician or a physiotherapist.

I saw a change in my child’s behavior after sitting in the W-sitting for a long time; he used to walk with his two feet turned outwards, and even when he stood up, his feet were on the outside, which is called out-toeing, and my first child started saying Mummy he stands with his feet like “tweety”

Some children prefer to lie down and use mobile phones while lying down. They also watch TV while lying down. When they sit, they like this W sitting.

The dangers of W-sitting

When the child sits in the W- sitting position for a long time and does not try to sit in another position, then parents should pay attention, as there may be some dangers.

• Muscle tightness

If your child is spending a lot of time in W-sitting, his hip adductor, hamstring, and Achilles tendon muscles may be affected. The tension in these muscles can be small and can obstruct the child’s walking and sitting.

• Low core strength

Children do not feel more relaxed in their other sitting positions. Prolonged sitting in the w sitting position reduces the growth and development of children. And children become so accustomed to sitting that they find it impossible to sit in another position.

• Lack of movement in the child’s body

Sitting in the w position causes a hindrance in the child’s motor development. By sitting in w sitting position, the child cannot move his body easily which causes hindrance in motor development.

• Hip disorder

My child used to complain of pain in his hips from sitting in a sitting. Sitting in w shape rotates the hips. If your child complains of pain, distract him from rest and change his position. According to International Hip Dysplasia, W- sitting does not cause hip dysplasia in your children.

• W- sitting’s alternatives

Tell your child not to sit in W-sitting. If your child sits in a sitting for a long time, then you should ask him to change other positions. Those different positions are listed below.

• Keeping the legs straight

Children keep their legs spread out in front of them. It consumes more of the child’s energy. And my kids didn’t particularly like this position because their legs got in the way during the game. But this method is excellent for the future; it gives the kids practice to sit with balance.

• Use a table or stool

Sit the children in the w sitting position on a table or stool, initially for some time and then for a more extended period, and include activities played on the stool and table. In this way, the children’s habit of w-sitting can be reduced gradually.

• Side sitting

In this position, the child sits with both legs on the side. By sitting in this position, the baby can roll around. And can also cross its midline.

• Criss-cross applesauce

It is the most common way of sitting; mentioning it makes me feel nostalgic, and even now, if I have to sit on the ground, I sit like this and encourage my children to sit in this position.
Due to this, children do not fall into each other’s legs while playing, nor do children themselves get tangled in their feet or legs.

Conclusion

If you sit in the sitting position for a long time and you feel that the child is in pain while sitting in this way or his behavior is changing, then you should check with the doctor. If this is not the case, you do not need to worry. Change the sitting position by encouraging the child to relax.

FAQ’s

What is the truth about W- sitting position?

The W position causes pressure in the knee and back muscles. And if your baby gets into the habit of sitting like that for a long time, it will cause pain in his back. So, gradually break your toddler’s w-sitting habit.

At what age is W sitting a problem?

After the age of 3 years, children stop sitting in the w sitting position by themselves. But if they do not stop sitting in the w sitting position even by this age, you need to act now.

What are the benefits of a sitting position?

Children resort to sitting to keep their weak legs stable during play. This position protects them from the fear of falling.

Is w sitting usually in adults?

I have also seen many adults sitting in the w sitting position. But remember that this position is harmful to the knees and joints of adults as well as children.

Can W sitting delay talking?

Yes, of course, if your child sits all the time in w sitting, it can be an essential reason for his delay in walking and crawling.

What does W sitting lead to?

While the W setting is harmful to children’s walking, it also affects the development of children’s hip bones and the hip’s strength.