What Is W Sitting?

Also known as “reverse tailor sitting” or “frog sitting,” W sitting is a position that’s common for toddlers and young kids when they’re playing on the floor. They sit with their knees bent and feet flared out behind them, forming what looks like a “W” when viewed from above.

Those backwards little legs may be adorable, but this habit can cause health concerns in the long run. Pediatric physical therapist Kathleen Finnan, PT, explains the risks, alternatives and how to help your child adjust their posture.

W sitting position side effects

W sitting is a natural, comfortable way for small children to sit. It gives them a strong base of support that makes up for having weaker core muscles — which most kids build up over time, as they grow and become more active. But experts discourage it because the long-term consequences on their growing bodies outweigh those temporary benefits.

Finnan explains that over time, W sitting can affect joint health, muscle development and even motor coordination.

“It places a lot of force on soft, flexible bones and joints,” Finnan says. “It’s the opposite of the direction that’s naturally ideal.” Eventually, this added pressure can cause:

• Changes to the leg bones: All that force on the long bones in your kid’s thigh (femur) and shin (tibia) can cause them to rotate slightly. That can contribute to walking issues, like intoeing, where a child’s feet turn inward while they walk.
• Limited hip mobility: Many kids who consistently W sit struggle to sit cross-legged (tailor sit), which is the ideal position for a small child. The cross-legged position builds core strength and mobility in their hip joints. “Some W sitters can’t even get into the tailor sitting position — 'crisscross applesauce’ — because their hips don’t have that range of motion from prolonged W sitting and poor trunk control,” Finnan reports.
• Weak core muscles: If frog sitting is your little one’s posture of choice, it’s not surprising: It’s easier than other ways of sitting. “They don’t have to use their core as much to sit up,” Finnan explains. “Prolonged W sitting could prevent their trunk muscles from developing properly.”
• Balance, coordination and motor skill issues: Core strength is what gives you the support and stability you need to make controlled movements and maintain proper posture. If your little one’s core muscles are underdeveloped, they may take longer to hit developmental milestones.
• Joint pain and arthritis: “W sitting can cause major hip, knee and ankle joint issues further down the road,” says Finnan. “This can result in pain or even early arthritis because the joints didn’t develop in an ideal biomechanical position.”
• Posture problems: Children who favor W sitting may be more prone to slouching, rounding their shoulders or developing forward-tilted hips (anterior pelvic tilt). These posture problems can negatively affect spinal alignment and curvature, which could lead to back or joint pain.

Is it connected to developmental disabilities?

If you’ve read up on W sitting, you may have come across claims that it’s a symptom of autism.

Finnan explains that, while there does seem to be a correlation, there’s no proven cause-and-effect relationship between W sitting and developmental disabilities. And plenty of neurotypical children prefer W sitting, too. It’s a natural posture — it just isn’t one that’s good for them in the long term.

“We do often see W sitting in children with autism,” Finnan says. “But that’s usually because they also have lower muscle tone, decreased trunk control or a weak core. That makes W sitting feel easier for them. It’s not a definitive sign of anything.”

What about hypermobility?

If you have a kid with a strong preference for W sitting, you may be wondering: Does this mean they’re hypermobile?

Not necessarily.

Kids who are hypermobile — meaning they have lax ligaments and unusually flexible joints — often have issues with core strength and posture. Finnan notes that they may appreciate the extra support W position sitting offers. But most small children can and do sit this way sometimes, even if it isn’t their preferred style. They don’t need to be hypermobile to find it comfortable.

How to stop W sitting

While sitting in a W position isn’t ideal, Finnan says that time, reminders, strength-building and gentle encouragement are usually enough to help your baby or toddler break the habit. If you notice your child W sitting, encourage them to adjust their sitting posture to one that better supports muscle development and proper posture.

Safer sitting positions include:

• Crisscross applesauce (tailor sitting): Sitting with their legs crossed in front
• Long sitting: Sitting with their legs stretched straight out in front of them
• Side sitting: The child sits with one leg bent in front of them and the other bent behind, forming a “Z” shape.

“Parents can often just verbally cue their child, like saying ‘feet in front,’” suggests Finnan. “Over time, many kids learn to correct their position themselves.”

You can support your child by:

• Prompting them to sit differently when you notice they’re sitting in a W position
• Promoting floor play that’s easy to do in a better active sitting posture, like puzzle time or coloring, for example, on a toddler table.
• Making strength training fun with games that involve crawling, climbing, kneeling and playing on hands and knees
• Praising your child when they sit with good posture
• If they’re old enough, offering your kid alternate seating options, like a beanbag chair, therapy ball, wobble stool or a rocking chair — this will challenge their trunk control and help them develop core strength

Correcting a baby or toddler’s sitting posture takes time. After all, you’re not just changing behavior (which is hard enough). You’re also helping them get stronger and more flexible, so they can be comfortable in healthier positions.

When to get help

If your child’s sitting posture hasn’t improved after trying these tips for a few months — or you’re worried that something may be wrong — have a chat with their pediatrician.

“If you’re giving it time and reminders and the behavior isn’t changing, or your child can’t seem to sit upright on the floor at all, it may be time to talk with a children’s health provider,” advises Finnan. “They can help decide if physical therapy would be a good next step.”

Pediatric physical therapists can help your little one build strength, improve their posture and prevent problems down the line.