Is The Baby’s W Position While Sitting A Risk To Well-being?

You may have never heard of this position, but the so-called W position is actually quite common in children.

In short, it’s not terribly harmful, but it’s best for parents to prevent it from becoming a habit.

It is normal for children to take the W position when playing. It seems to be a natural and comfortable choice for them, but for adults this is a rather difficult and even painful posture.

It is much easier for children to handle toys when they are in the W position.

While this position may seem harmless if a child is in it for a long time watching TV or playing on the floor, it can have bad consequences for muscle development.

So now let’s talk about all the side effects that the W position has.

W position in children

In this position, the  child’s back is completely against the floor, and the knees and legs are bent backwards in a W-shape.

It is very common for a child to have this position as he or she goes through a stage of developing strength and muscle control.

The little ones choose this position because it  gives a little more stability compared to other positions. The W-shape gives the child a wider platform, making him or her more secure.

Thanks to the position, they are able to sit upright without much effort. The W position also gives the child the freedom to use their hands to handle the toys.

This position is very common in children with deficient muscle condition. It allows them to sit upright without having to see much effort.

Doctors’ opinion on children’s W-position

Experts in the fields of pediatrics and traumatology say this position  is not related to any disease. So this is a normal phenomenon.

In many cases, children take the W position  due to an innate tendency  (femoral antersion).

This condition is gradually corrected as childhood progresses and disappears at the age of 10-12. For girls, it can last longer, up to 14 years old.

Consequences of sitting in the W position

This position is  in no way a disadvantage as long as the child is not in it for very long periods of time. If he is, the following problems may occur:

• muscle stiffness
• increased pressure in the pelvic joints, ankles and knees
• future orthopedic problems
• bad posture
• weak pelvis
• it may prevent the child from twisting and distributing its weight evenly

• delays in controlling the child’s posture and stability
• difficulties with fine motor skills
• muscle and skeletal problems.

Advice to prevent your child from being in the W position

The best way to prevent a child from being in the W position is to  prevent him or her from doing it that way. To achieve this, please take the following advice:

• Encourage your child to look for other postures – in a gentle style.
• Avoid nagging or intimidating by telling you the posture causes deformity of the legs.
• Do not strain the child too much by changing position while playing.
• Suggest games that strategically make him change position frequently.
• Provide a chair and table that are the right height to make her feel comfortable.

• As he sits on the floor, give the pillows so he can get back support.
• When he is sitting, he should be in the following position: his feet are touching the floor, his knees are at a 90 degree angle and his back is against something solid.
• You can give him a small stool so his legs can get support.

These tips are part of  good posture habits that you should teach your child.

This requires patience and taking advantage of your child’s developmental stages to prevent future problems.

If you find that your child is taking a W-position while sitting too often, contact your pediatrician so that he or she can assess the situation and give more detailed instructions.