What is W-sitting?
When your child sits on the ground, his bottom is between their legs, and his knees are bent with legs turned away from the body.
All children have the potential to begin the W-sitting habit because it increases his base of support and stability. It allows them to concentrate on the play than balancing themselves.
Is W-Sitting a Concern?
When the child tries to sit from crawl position, he temporarily achieves W-sitting. If the child continues to be in the same position when he starts standing, it is a matter of concern, in such case you should consult Child Specialist in Nashik.
Causes of W-sitting:-
- Low muscle tone
- Hypermobile joints
- Weak core muscle
- Tight legs and back muscles
Effects of W-sitting:-
Hip distortion:-W-sitting puts enormous pressure on the internal aspects of their hip joints which causes shortening of stabilising muscle. It impacts their walking development.
Knee-foot distortion:-In W-sitting there is internal rotation of knee and external rotation of the ankle. It causes tightness in their hamstring and T.A tender. E.g.: pigeon toe gait.
Poor development of toe muscle:-It is a secondary side effect. As kids stabilise themselves by extreme rotation of their legs, they do not need to use the muscles in their core to stay upright or to balance.
Lack of cross-body coordination:-In this position, the child cannot achieve trunk rotation and cannot shift his weight over each side. This leads to poor weight shift, difficulty in balance reaction and Bilateral coordination. Indirectly this will affect milestones.
How to correct W-sitting:-
If you notice your child is sitting in W-sitting for a long time, try to follow the instructions given below.
- Start with Indian style sitting i.e. crossed leg sitting [Start with a few minutes and gradually increase the time. This is the best exercise.]
- Resting on a low stool or pillow also discourages W-sitting
- Sit on the floor with soles of the feet together and knees bent out to the side. Do the “Butterfly” by flapping the legs up and down, while the sides of the feet remain together.
- Give a verbal clue whenever a child sits in a W-sitting
- If you are concerned, consult a Paediatrician in Nashik or for the further management contact Dr. Pravin Kasliwal for more information 094206 92588