Is Your Newborn Already Holding Their Head Up? Here’s What to Know!
Is your newborn already holding their head up?
Were you told your baby's neck muscles are super strong?
Let's chat about why it's tension and not strength!
Your tiny tot may very well be destined for a full ride, athletic scholarship, or heck, even the Olympics! But I can promise you - you won't be able to determine their athletic capabilities by how early they held their head up! If your little one immediately showed signs of milestone superiority by holding their head up on day one - you likely have a tight baby, not a strong one. Strength and stability are earned, and while birth can be quite a physical accomplishment for both momma and baby - it's tummy time, side time, and vertical (upright) time that trains those little muscles to support that adorably large noggin!
Understanding Newborn Development Milestones
In the initial weeks of life, newborns SHOULD, ideally, exhibit limited control over their muscles. Their movements are (intentionally) largely reflexive and uncoordinated, as their nervous system is still developing. Since they don’t have control, nature provides reflexes as a little built-in safety mechanism. During this time, it's typical to see your baby’s head bobbling all around when they're not supported. This lack of control is entirely normal and expected - and why we recommend supporting their little thinking globes when they’re being held/carried. However, as they grow, you'll notice gradual improvements in their muscle strength and coordination, particularly in their neck and upper body as we work on neck, shoulder, and core stability through floor play such as tummy time, side time, etc. These muscles need to be strengthened in order to be strong. Strength and coordination are earned, and while tension can mimic strength early on, I caution you not to be fooled!
When Should You Expect Your Newborn to Hold Their Head Up?
Head control is one of the first major milestones in a newborn's physical development. Typically, babies BEGIN to develop the necessary muscle strength and coordination to hold their heads up around one to two months old. During these early days, you may notice your baby resembling a human version of a slow-motion wood pecker as they briefly attempt to lift their head and then tucker out with a cute little plop when lying on their tummy. These early attempts are crucial, as they signify the beginning of your baby's journey toward better head control.
By the time your baby reaches three to four months old, you can expect to see more consistent and stronger head control as they hold their heads up for more extended periods.
As always, it's super important to remember that these timelines are guidelines, not set rules and regulations of development. There’s no specific number of minutes your peanut should be “training” per day, nor are they “behind” if they’re on the later end of the milestone development spectrum. Some babies may achieve head control earlier, while others might take a bit longer. This doesn’t determine whether or not your baby is a “go-getter” or provide any insight as to their future skills. Factors such as gestational age at birth, muscle tone, and overall health can influence the timing of milestones.
How to Know If Your Newborn is Tight?
If your little nugget is holding their head up like a champ, seems a bit advanced from day one, or even a few weeks in - there’s a high likelihood they’re carrying some tension from in-utero positioning, the birth process itself, or even compensation patterns from discomfort such as gas, reflux, difficulty feeding, etc. Great news! Newborn tension is typically INCREDIBLY easy to work on! It’s gentle, relaxing, and can be done at home by YOU as well. Seeking out some help from a provider with additional training in this area (🙋🏼♀️I’ll just go ahead and raise my hand here) can save you from hours of Googling and guessing!
Tips to Encourage Your Newborn to Hold Their Head Up
Encouraging your newborn to develop head control involves a combination of activities, positioning, and supportive interactions. One of the most effective ways to promote head control is through regular tummy time, side time, and vertical time. The best part about this specific type of play is that you really don't have to be pressured into buying any fancy gadgets or follow a specific routine. Make tummy time a fun and interactive experience by using colorful toys, mirrors, and engaging with your baby through eye contact, talking, and singing. You can place them on your chest, on the floor, across your leg, on a ball, or on your arm like they’re Superman. You also don’t need to consult a professional on how to progress them - just gradually increase the duration of tummy time as your baby becomes more comfortable and stronger.
Just a quick, gentle reminder that we never want to force tummy time (or any activity, really). If your baby is upset, there’s likely a reason. Continuing to force them into an uncomfortable situation will just continue to build an aversion to the activity. So, if your little is struggling with tummy time, let’s find out why!
Celebrating Your Baby’s Growth and Milestones
While this blog may have caused some discomfort for those that were told their child was already WAY ahead of the curve, the great news is… your kiddo can still be the athlete they choose to be. It will just be on their terms and through the hard work and dedication of learning to interact with their environment by doing things the old-fashioned way - picking up their head and working through the hard stuff!
Another quick reminder for parents - trust your instincts and seek out professional help if you feel like your little one might be carrying around a bit of extra tension. If they’re holding their head up and/or rolling before their time, let’s find out why and work together to help YOU feel comfortable working on these milestones at home!
Hi there!
My name is Dr. Dani and I’m an in-home chiropractor for busy women and infants within the Denver Metro area. I work with women of all ages and stages, but truly shine with the pregnancy, postpartum, and pediatric populations. I strive for quality care through extended appointment times, diverse treatment modalities, personalized home-care recommendations, and education so families can feel both empowered and cared for!
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