Should you discourage your child from W-sitting?

When a child sits on the floor with their knees folded and legs bent behind them, this is often referred to as W-sitting. For years, many people have discouraged W-sitting out of concern over hip development. But does this sitting position lead to health concerns over time?

“The short answer is no. W-sitting is not a major cause of concern that needs to be clinically corrected,” explains Dr. David Fralinger, an orthopedic surgeon at Advocate Children’s Hospital. “It will not cause hip dysplasia or harm to a child’s developing hips. This is a common sitting position among children because it provides them with additional stability, especially while they are young and their core is weak.”

Dr. Fralinger says some children might W-sit because it’s more comfortable for them compared to sitting with their legs crossed in front of them.

“Some people believe W-sitting leads to intoeing, walking with feet turned inward rather than straight,” he says. “But both W-sitting and intoeing can be caused by femoral anteversion, where a child’s thigh bones are turned inward. Femoral anteversion tends to resolve on its own as a child grows. The same goes for W-sitting.”

If you are concerned about the frequency of your child’s W-sitting, speak with their pediatrician. They can help determine if you should consult with an orthopedic specialist.

“W-sitting may indicate your child has weakness in their core. If so, they might benefit from physical therapy exercises that encourage them to engage muscles they may not currently use,” Dr. Fralinger says. “It might also be a sign of a delay in gross motor skills.”

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