when should babies sit up

Babies typically start sitting with support at around 4 to 5 months of age. Most babies can sit up with some help by about 6 months and usually master sitting independently between 7 to 9 months. Some may begin experimenting with sitting positions such as the tripod position by 6 months and progress to sitting without support closer to 9 months. Signs that a baby is ready to sit up include having good head control, pushing themselves up while lying on their tummy, rolling over well, and showing controlled and purposeful movements. Tummy time is important early on to build the necessary neck and upper body strength. Babies usually gain the ability to sit without support by around 8 to 9 months, although this can vary with each child. Independent sitting opens up new opportunities for play and exploration, and often precedes the ability to crawl. Overall, the sitting milestone happens gradually in stages, starting with supported sitting at around 4 to 5 months and progressing to independent sitting by 7 to 9 months of age.