A baby being able to hold their head up is considered one of the earliest and most important physical milestones. From day one onwards, babies build up the necessary physical strength for head control.
While it may seem like a small feat, being able to hold their head up by themselves is actually a key skill that forms the foundation for many other motor skills your little one will develop in the weeks, months, and years to come, such as scooting, sitting up, and walking.
So, when can babies hold their own head up, and how can you help your little one achieve this milestone?
When do babies start to hold their head up and gain neck control?
Most babies begin to develop the ability to lift, move, and support their own head between the ages of 1 to 4 months. However, the amount of practice your little one has had with head and neck movements will also play a big role in when they’ll be able to move their head on their own.
While every baby is unique, we've created a general timeline of some essential steps your baby may go through and the skills they may develop on the way to holding their head steadily.
- 0-1 months: newborn babies have little to no head control as their back and neck muscles are very weak and their head is rather heavy compared to their little bodies. This means their head needs to be fully supported when held or carried to protect their muscles and ensure they don’t get hurt.
- 1-2 months: as your little one grows and becomes stronger, you may see them lifting their head briefly during tummy time, however this usually only lasts a few seconds.
- 3-4 months: this is where things start to get real, as most babies can lift their head up and hold it steadily when lying on their stomach. Some babies may also be able to hold it upright when sitting in a supported position.
- 5 months and older: by this age, most babies have enough neck and head control to hold their head steadily when lying or in an assisted seated position and can align it with the rest of their body.
But as each baby is unique and develops at their own pace, this timeline can vary, meaning that if your little one cannot hold its head perfectly yet at 5 months old, this may not be cause for concern.
Why is being able to support their head important?
Head control is far more than just a milestone achievement for your baby – it's a key development that will lay the foundation for a variety of new skills your baby will learn in the coming weeks and months.
Being able to control their neck and head, so that they can hold their head up independently allows your little one to begin learning how to roll over, sit up and eventually even crawl. Additionally, being able to support their own head makes it easier for your baby to coordinate sucking and swallowing, meaning that feeding time will get easier moving forwards.
Head control also allows your baby to interact with their environment more and differently. Your little one can now turn their head to see and follow movements happening all around them, not only in front of them. This allows them to become more curious and engaged, which in turn also helps strengthen their muscles, such as neck and back muscles.
Finally, head control and strong neck and back muscles are key in preventing positional plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, a common condition in young infants where flat spots develop on the back of their head.
How to support your baby’s head before they can
To prevent your little one from hurting their head, neck and back, it is vital to always support their head when they are still a newborn. This means always cradling their neck and head when picking them up, holding them in your arms or changing their diaper. As your baby grows bigger and stronger, you can then slowly reduce the amount of support you are giving their head, and at around 4 to 6 months most babies have gained enough head control and strength to hold their head independently, meaning you no longer have to support it as much.
However, it is important to assess your baby’s strength and comfort levels independently from this generalized age range before stopping to provide head support, as each baby develops at his or her own pace, and some may need additional head support in certain positions for a little longer than others.
How to help your baby get head and neck control
The most important muscles for head control are those in the neck. These neck muscles get stronger over time through natural movements, however there are certain things you can do as a parent to aid the development of these muscles. An activity that has proven to be a tremendous help in strengthening neck and back muscles is tummy time. Spending 15 to 30 minutes a day playing with your baby whilst they lie on their stomach starting when they are around 7 to 8 weeks old can help your baby feel comfortable in this position and help develop their muscle strength. To keep your baby comfortable, it can be helpful to practice tummy time on a soft base, such as a rug or sleep mat. Additionally, words of encouragement or tummy time toys can be helpful in motivating your little one to engage in the activity. Popular tummy time toys to motivate your baby could be rattles, soft books, sensory toys such as a spinner or activity mat.
Over time you may begin to notice that their movements become less and less reflexive and far more purposeful as their muscle strength begins to build up and they engage more with their environment. Another helpful tool to aid your baby’s neck and back muscle development can be a baby-safe mirror, as babies love to look at themselves. This helps build their curiosity and can make tummy time more motivating, fascinating and fun for your little one. However, it is important to always remain patient with your baby. Some babies are faster to engage with toys during tummy time, or seem to enjoy this activity more than others, so stay patient and remember that every baby develops at their own pace.
What milestones come next
There are lots of milestones, developments and learning of key skills ahead for your baby, particularly in the next few months. Once your baby is able to hold their head up independently and without any support, they often start to roll over by themselves. This usually happens when they are around 4-5 months old. Soon after, they will most likely learn how to sit up with support and a little later how to sit upright without any support. Ultimately, the range of motor milestones your baby will reach in the next few weeks and months will lead to them being able to stand up and eventually walk.
If you would like to read a more detailed overview of your little one’s upcoming developments, have a look at our detailed guide to baby development where you can find a comprehensive timeline of skills to come!
