How To Help Your Baby Practice Sitting In A Laundry Basket
If you’re looking for a better way to build strength and stability safely for sitting, try this laundry basket hack!
One of the most common misconceptions I hear as a Pediatric PT is that somehow sitting a baby in an expensive infant seat will “teach them to sit up”… but here is the PROBLEM: Not only are babies being put in seats before their bodies are developmentally ready, but they aren’t being given the opportunity to build the strength for sitting INDEPENDENTLY.
For more resources like this, check out these other Movement Mama posts:
Laundry Basket Tummy Time
6 Ways To Use A Laundry Basket For Developmental Play
Using A Laundry Basket For Learning To Walk
You can begin this fun little activity when baby is able to sit with hands propping them on the floor for about a minute with your safety net preventing falls. This ensures babe has the upright head, neck, and trunk control to tolerate this activity!
Not quite there yet? Be sure to check out my Guide to Tummy Time and Roll on Track resources to build strength for sitting!
Begin with lots of pillows, laundry (or play balls) for support and gradually reduce over time! You can find some of my favorite toys to use for this hack on my Amazon Storefront.
And pro tip: place enticing toys in front of them to prevent leaning back and slipping down! You can find more tips for teaching your baby how to sit up in this blog! You can also find more of my favorite laundry basket hacks and more on my YouTube channel.
Click through the images above for answers to some of my most FAQ regarding this hack.
And if you’re going to use Infant seats, do so when baby is able to prop sit independently for 1 minute or more for activities like stabilizing their large muscle groups for practicing fine motor activities. Or when they are proficient eaters, use them as high chairs. Maybe you need to sit baby in one while big sibling’s friends are over to play to keep them safe.
My absolute favorite Infant Seat is not only created by a team of therapists but is amazing for hip-health and fits your little one up to 2 years of age! This link gets you $10 off! You can read more about this seat here!
Here’s some other fun container-free ideas:
🖤Sitting in a laundry basket with a Boppy to support them if needed..place safe toys around them & watch them explore the limits of their upright mobility
🖤Sit them against a corner with a pillow behind and a Boppy pillow in front with a book to “read”
🖤Pull the end couch cushion out slightly and sink their bottom down in the corner just a bit and give them a chew toy while you sit next to them and get some work done
🖤Sit them in their stroller with the tray attached and only the lap belt secured, allowing them to engage their abdominal muscles to pull themselves up to sit
🖤Create a “pillow pit” with space for them to sit and watch as they teeter totter around in a safe spot
🖤Plop them in an empty bath while you grab a shower or pee
Are you ready to try some of these?!? Don’t forget to tag me @themovementmama on Instagram to show off their skills!
