Baby’s Head and Neck Control “A Fundamental Developmental Milestone ”

The first year of a baby is very precious for its parents. Why? Because the baby is trying to reach new developmental milestones. Some developments are especially sweet to watch. One of the many developments in a baby is head control. During the first few months until the neck muscles get stronger, your baby’s head needs a lot of support. Gaining the strength to hold the head up is the basic developmental milestone and is the foundation on which other movements of your baby will be based. Once the baby gains head and neck control, it will help him/her to roll over, try to sit up, crawl, stand and then eventually walk.

When should I expect my baby to be able to hold the head up?

Baby’s neck muscles are fairly weak at birth. For the first few months, the baby will rely on you to support the neck when you hold her. As you cradle the baby in your arms you can enjoy the chance to gaze into the baby’s eyes. It helps you to bond with the baby and will make him/her feel loved.  By the end of your baby’s first month, when you give some tummy time to your baby, he/she may be able to lift or slightly raise her head briefly. The baby may cry at first but slowly with time will also try to turn the head from side to side.

At around six weeks to eight weeks, the baby may be able to slightly raise the head when lying on the back. When you hold the baby on your shoulder he/she may have enough control to hold her head up shakily, but not for long. Between three months to five months you will notice a definite improvement in your baby’s head control. The baby will be able to raise her head up to 45 degrees from the floor and keep it steady. At this point you can try keeping your baby in a bouncy chair which is at a 45 degree to 60 degree sitting angle.

Your baby can now also be strong enough to hold up the head in a car seat or a baby sling but not strong enough to be put in a stroller or a backpack. By six months, your baby should be able to hold her head steady and upright. The baby’s head shouldn’t lag behind his/her body as you pull the baby up to sit.

Your baby will have developed strong neck muscles by six months. Strong enough to hold the head up and look from side to side. That’s the time when you can use baby backpack to carry your baby.

What can I do to help my baby to hold her head up?

It’s a natural process and there is nothing much that you can do for your baby to develop head control. But you have to be very careful to support his/her head in the first few months. Always cradle your baby’s neck and head in the palm of your hand when you pick the baby up.

Give the baby plenty of time to play on its tummy, even if the head is a little wobbly. Show the baby some toys so that he/she will try lifting the head which will help strengthen the neck muscles. This will also help in strengthening the muscles that the baby need to sit up. Also try to just hold the baby’s hands so that he/she tries to lift her head. Do not forcefully try to lift the baby and make the baby sit.

Pillows are useful for support, but you could also sit her on your lap with the back of her head against your tummy. Make the baby sit in different rooms around your house so that there is a change in view and then the baby tries looking at different things in the house.

Should I be worried if my baby can’t hold his/her head up yet? The baby is three months

When you visit your doctor for vaccination at six weeks, the doctor will check head control. If there are any concerns, doctor will probably suggest a follow-up appointment when your baby is 12 weeks old. If your baby seems to struggle to lift his/her head up even slightly at three months and you are concerned, please mention this to your pediatrician.

All babies are different and develop skills and milestones differently, some do it quickly than others. Preterm babies may reach this or other milestones later than most other babies. Please talk to your doctor at any point if you are worried. Go with your motherly instincts and gut feel.