W-Sitting: A Phase or a Red Flag? Here’s What Parents Should Know

Does your child w-sit? Do you need to worry about this? Let’s explore this common and sometimes misunderstood childhood sitting position….

If you google ‘w-sitting’, you will find that there are hundreds of articles available for parents with advice about this sitting position. Some articles will stress how bad w-sitting is and will passionately suggest that you should never let your child w-sit. Others will suggest that w-sitting is part of normal development and is nothing to worry about.

So, as a parent, if your child starts to w-sit, what should you do? Do you need to worry if your child is w-sitting? Or not?

What Is W-Sitting (And Why Does It Happen)?

W-sitting is when a child sits on their bottom with their knees bent and feet positioned outward, forming a “W” shape. This position is often observed in toddlers and young children due to their increased joint flexibility and developing muscle strength.

Children may adopt this position for several reasons:

Comfort and Stability: The wide base provides stability, allowing children to play without worrying about balance.
Inward-Turning Thigh Bones (Femoral Anteversion): Many children are born with a natural inward rotation of the thigh bones, making W-sitting more accessible and comfortable for them.
Muscle Weakness or Coordination Challenges: Some children prefer this position because it offers a wide base of support, helping them feel more stable—especially if they have lower muscle tone and joint hypermobility, which can make sitting in other positions more challenging.”

Is It Dangerous or Just a Phase?

For most children, occasional W-sitting is not a cause for concern. However, consistent reliance on this position may warrant attention.

Potential concerns include:

Delayed Core Muscle Development: Relying on W-sitting can limit the use of core muscles, potentially impacting posture and balance.
Reduced Trunk Rotation: This position can restrict upper body movement, affecting activities that require reaching across the body.
Impact on Gross Motor Skills: Prolonged W-sitting may influence the development of skills like walking, running, and jumping.

“W-sitting may seem like a benign position that many children utilise, but it comes with many negative implications.”
— Dinosaur Physical Therapy

When to Worry: Red Flags to Watch For

Consider consulting a pediatrician or physiotherapist if:

Exclusive Use: Your child only sits in the W-position and struggles with other sitting postures.
Persistent Preference: W-sitting remains the dominant sitting position beyond the age of 8.
Associated Developmental Delays: There are concerns about your child’s gross motor skills, balance, or coordination.

Smart Ways to Support Better Sitting Habits

Encourage your child to explore various sitting positions:

Criss-Cross (Tailor Sitting): Sitting with legs crossed in front.
Long Sitting: Legs extended straight out in front.
Side Sitting: Legs bent to one side.
Kneeling: Sitting back on the heels.

Tips to promote alternative sitting positions:

Model and Encourage: Sit with your child and demonstrate different positions.
Use Verbal Cues: Gently remind them, “Let’s try sitting with your legs in front.”
Engage in Activities: Encourage play that involves reaching across the body to promote trunk rotation.

W-Sitting Myths Busted

Myth: W-sitting causes permanent hip damage.
Fact: No conclusive evidence links W-sitting to long-term hip issues in healthy children.

Myth: All children who W-sit have developmental problems.
Fact: Many children W-sit occasionally without any underlying issues.

Myth: Parents should correct W-sitting every time.
Fact: Gentle encouragement towards varied sitting positions is more effective than constant correction.

Quick Guide: When to Worry About W-Sitting

Concern	Action
Exclusive W-sitting	Consult a pediatric physiotherapist
Preference persists beyond age 8	Seek professional advice
Associated developmental delays	Discuss with a healthcare provider

Top 3 Tips to Encourage Healthier Sitting Positions

Diversify Activities: Incorporate games that require different sitting postures.
Strengthen Core Muscles: Engage in activities like crawling, climbing, and balancing exercises.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child when they choose alternative sitting positions.

Visual Aids and Resources

Illustrations: Visual comparisons of W-sitting and alternative positions can be found here.
Video Demonstrations: For a practical guide on encouraging better sitting habits, watch this short video by pediatric physiotherapists.
Printable Guide: Download our “5 Fun Sitting Alternatives” poster to display at home.

Remember, every child is unique. Occasional W-sitting is typically part of normal development. However, if you have concerns about your child’s sitting habits or overall development, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.

References:

Goldstein, R., Nazareth, A., Ziarati, P., Mueske, N., Rethlefsen, S., and Kay, R. (2019). Hip Dysplasia is Not More Common in W-Sitters. Pediatrics.
Mooney, J. (2014). Lower Extremity Rotational and Angular Issues in Children. Pediatric Clinics of North America.
Dinosaur Physical Therapy. (n.d.). W-sitting and Your Child. Retrieved from https://www.dinopt.com/
North Shore Pediatric Therapy. (n.d.). Is W-sitting Bad for My Child? Retrieved from https://www.nspt4kids.com/
Royal Children’s Hospital – Physiotherapy. (n.d.). Normal Variations in Children’s Legs. Retrieved from https://www.rch.org.au/
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. (n.d.). W-sitting Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.aacpdm.org/