Doctors Warn: W-Sitting Position in Children May Be Dangerous

Many children adopt this sitting posture, referred to professionally as the W-sitting position, but several doctors warn it can pose significant risks.

"Children simply love this position," says Russian physiotherapist Magdalena Olcha, "but in the long term, it can cause major developmental issues due to the 'twisting' of the hips, knees, ankles, and feet."

Joining her opinion are doctors from the hospital in San Francisco and other locations in the US, who have established a movement called Movement RX. Although it may seem like a random choice by the child to sit in this position, doctors argue that it indicates weak abdominal muscles that prevent the child from sitting in other positions.

"If your child only sits in this position, you need to see a pediatrician and ask for an appointment with a specialist pediatric physiotherapist to check all potential underlying causes," Olcha explains, but adds that if the child switches positions and W-sitting is just one of the various positions they use, there is no need for concern.