W-Sitting

Have you ever noticed your child sitting with both legs out to the side in a w-sitting position? This may not be the ideal play position for your child to maximize strength gains and promote normal development through major gross motor milestones.

So why is this position not ideal? *This position places your child’s hips in maximal internal rotation range of motion causing increased risk of hip problems such as hip dysplasia. On the other hand, this position also stretches out the muscles of hip external rotation causing hip weakness and limited ability to keep the legs in a neutral alignment. Think of a game of of tug of war, both sides of the rope need the same amount of strength to keep the rope in one place, however if one side is weak then the other team will likely win. This weakness and increased range of motion can increase the risk of walking with feet turned inward in pigeon toed position. *Additionally, your child may be using the w-sit position children to maintain a stable posture by locking their hips and lower spine into place, however this limits their ability to perform trunk rotation and use their core muscles properly. Limited trunk range of motion can limit the ability to perform coordinated movements such as cross midline. Furthermore, weak core muscles can limit a child’s ability to balance at an age appropriate level as they do not have the supporting muscles to maintain their posture. How do we fix this posture? It is important to correct this posture as early as possible before it becomes a habit. Try finding a common phrase such as “fix your legs” followed by repositioning your child’s legs into a more ideal position. The more consistent you are with correcting this posture, the more your child will decide to use more choose more preferred playing postures without need for cueing. Ideal floor playing positions include: Tailor sit (Criss-cross applesauce): this posture allows your core and postural muscles to work properly allowing for greater trunk rotation

Side sitting: this posture allows for strengthening on one side of the core with integration of bilateral coordination as one leg is in internal rotation and the other leg is in external rotation allowing for better transitions into and out of this position. Just make sure that your child is sitting like this to both sides!

Prone positioning: having your child play on their stomach can improve back and core strength as well as allow for weightbearing through their arms

Any of these positions allow your child to be in a more optimal position to improve their strength, core stability, bilateral coordination, and hip mobility required to perform motor milestones with less risk of injury or gait abnormality! Morgan Hamlett PT, DPT