Doctors Are Warning All Parents Not To Let Their Children Sit In “W” Position, Here’s Why
By Timfly
You’ve probably seen it before. Heck, you might have done this yourself when you were younger. “W” sitting is a common position for many children, but doing this too often or for too long can have a negative effect on development and growth.
It’s the go-to seated position for many kids. They plop down on the floor and sit on their bottom with their knees bent, and their legs spread out, forming a “W” shape. Most people would think nothing of this innocent looking position, but it turns out that sitting in this way too frequently, or for too long can have negative effects on kids.
Placing the body in this position can put unnecessary stress on the body which can cause a whole host of problems. The “W” position can cause delayed development of a child’s motor skills and cause issues with posture and stability later in life. It also stresses the hamstrings, hip abductors, and internal rotators. It’s not at all uncommon for kids who frequently “W-sit” to experience dislocations. Because of the weight on certain parts of the body, other muscles have to overcompensate which could lead to developmental problems.
So what should a parent do about this? The simplest and most effective answer is to prevent it from becoming a habit. If it’s too late for that, take active steps towards breaking the habit. Woman’s Vibe suggests simply teaching children different ways to sit on the floor may be enough to prevent them from “W-sitting.” Sitting to either side, with the legs out front, pretzel sitting, or sitting on a seat are all valid, and safe, alternatives.
Consistency is key in breaking the “W-sitting” habit. Have a simple phrase for a child to make them aware they are using the position and to change it up. “Fix your legs” or “change it up” is a simple, but effective way in breaking them out of the “W” position. If the child has difficulty sitting in any other position it may be time to see a pediatrician, as this may be a sign of underlying problems with their motor system.
Watch this video about “W-sitting” below.
“W-sitting” is a complex problem. Luckily, the solution is relatively simple. As long as kids are consistently reminded to get out of the position, they’ll be at a significantly reduced risk of injury.
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