Most parents of newborns ask, “In which month can baby hold his neck?”
It can be a stressful period while you wait for your kid to learn control of their neck muscles. Until then, their skull may feel like an unstable wrecking ball held up by a bunch of spaghetti noodles.
What can you read in this article?
- In which month can baby hold his neck
- Baby head control exercises
- When should I be concerned if the baby is not lifting his head?
- Baby neck problems
During the first few months, your baby’s head needs a lot of support while their neck muscles strengthen.
Gaining the strength to hold their head up is the foundation for all of your baby’s other movement development. It will assist them in rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking.
Good head control will also assist your infant in learning about their new surroundings. It will encourage them to look at fascinating things, turn towards your voice or a sound, and observe what is going on around them.
In which month can baby hold his neck?
Because their motor skills aren’t formed and their neck muscles are weak at birth, your newborn can’t control his head. You have to cradle and support your baby’s neck and head whether lifting, holding, carrying, or putting them down for the first several months.
Around 3 months of age, most newborns have enough neck power to keep their heads partially upright. Learning to hold their head up is a process that might last up to 6 months. Over the course of several months, your baby will gradually acquire this critical skill.
In which month can the baby hold his neck? | Image source: iStock
Here’s a timeline for when your baby will be able to hold their head up:
Newborn
For at least the first month, your baby will rely on you to support their head and neck. Perhaps it’s nature’s way of ensuring you have plenty of time to gaze into each other’s eyes and bond while cradling your kid in your arms.
1 to 2 months
By the end of the first month, your baby will have a bit of head control. They should be able to lift and turn their head from side to side while lying on their tummy. If your baby is very strong and coordinated, he will raise his head while lying on his back for about 6 to 8 weeks.
When you carry your baby on your shoulder, he will have enough control to hold his head up shakily for a short period of time. Your kid will also be able to support his head while sitting in a car seat or front pack. If you use a sling to carry your baby, make sure his face is exposed because he can’t readily turn their head to breathe.
3 to 4 months
You should notice a significant increase in your baby’s head control by now. While on their belly, your baby will be able to elevate their head to 45 degrees and hold it there for an extended period of time.
Many 4-month-olds will perform a “mini push up,” keeping their head and chest up by pushing their arms off the ground. In addition, by 4 months of age, your baby will most likely be able to hold their head steadily when placed in a sitting position.
5 to 6 months
Your infant will most likely be able to keep their head firmly and strong by 6 months of age. Your infant will bring their head forward if they are dragged into a sitting position. Before putting your child in a jogging stroller or baby backpack, be sure they can hold their head up adequately without your assistance.
Baby head control exercises
Here are some activities that can help your baby develop strong neck muscles:
Give your baby a lot of tummy time. | In which month can baby hold his neck?
The easiest technique to grow muscles in the neck and upper body is to place your baby on his tummy.
Simply place your infant on your lap or chest for a few minutes, two to three times per day. Increase the amount of time your baby spends on his tummy gradually until you reach a total of 20 minutes per session.
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Allow your newborn to observe
Make your infant sit on your lap, with his back against you, and watch the world go by.
Sitting your 4- or 5-month-old baby on your lap or in the center of a nursing pillow allows her to practice head control and obtain a new perspective on the world. She’ll also be able to reach for toys and books more easily.
With your baby on her back, grab her hands and gently pull them upwards. She’ll lift her upper body and build valuable strength.
You can also play small games with your infant once he or she is four or five months old. To make it more thrilling, place him on his back and gently pull him up with his arms while making ridiculous faces at him.
Get down on the floor at eye level with your infant and make some funny sounds or silly faces. Lying on your bellies side by side and lifting your head and neck allows you to demonstrate how it’s done to your sweetie.
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Allowing your baby to reach
Place your infant on her back, beneath something dangling (like a mobile). She might try to reach for it, which improves the upper body muscles.
Allow your baby to reach for him to develop his neck muscles.
When should I be concerned if the baby is not lifting his head?
An infant with poor head control or weak neck muscles should be checked by a pediatrician if they aren’t meeting the regular head control milestones, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If your infant appears to be struggling to lift her head up even slightly at 3 months old, bring it up at your next doctor’s appointment.
Premature newborns may reach this and other milestones later than other babies; if you’re concerned, consult your child’s doctor. Missing the head control milestone might be a symptom of a developmental or motor delay. It could also be a symptom of a neuromuscular disorder such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or another
However, keep in mind that babies learn skills at varying rates, with some developing faster than others, and head control is no exception. If your baby isn’t able to keep his head up unsupported by 4 months of age, it may not be cause for concern – but it’s worth consulting with your pediatrician.
Most of the time, though, it is merely a temporary delay. Every baby develops on their own timetable, and some babies learn specific skills sooner or slower than others. Whatever the cause, occupational therapy and other early intervention treatments can be beneficial.
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Baby neck problems
Although uncommon, head lag develops in babies when their neck muscles are too weak to hold their heads. This can happen for a variety of causes, including cerebral damage, premature birth, or low birth weight.
If your baby is over four months old and hasn’t been able to keep his head erect, you can see a pediatrician to have a check-up to see if his neck muscles are growing normally.
What to expect next
All bets are out when your baby can finally hold his head up! Rolling over, sitting up, moving and grooving (through creeping, scooting, and crawling), pulling themselves up to stand, and walking are the next milestones.
Holding their heads up is a significant developmental milestone for babies. Many other key milestones, such as sitting up and later walking, require head and neck control. Your baby will begin to work on holding their head up from the beginning, and they may begin to lift their head briefly as early as one month old.
Around 3 to 4 months, you will notice a significant improvement in your baby’s head control. By 6 months, your baby will most likely have mastered the ability to maintain a steady head.
If you have questions about your baby’s neck and head control, as well as your child’s development milestones, don’t hesitate to ask her paediatrician about it.
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
