Nᴇᴡʙᴏʀɴꜱʙᴀʙʏ spends the majority of the day sleeping and only screams when they require attention, such as feeding, changing their diaper, or simply getting ᴄʟᴏsᴇ skin-to-skin contact. However, as time goes on, your kid begins to reach smaller milestones, each of which grows increasingly important to the new parents. These achievements not only make your life happier, but they also reveal a lot about the healthy growth and development of your child. One such significant accomplishment is raising their heads. Do you thus know when your child first begins to hold its head up properly? Continue reading to learn more.
Month 1
Infants lack a lot of muscle strength. Their neck needs support when being held, bathed, or carried because of their jerky head movements. But by the end of the first month, they are able to hold their heads up, if only for a few seconds. It is better known as head lifts and is frequently observed during tummy times.
Month 2
Most infants can hold their heads up on their own, even for a brief period of time, by the end of the second month. ᴍᴀɴy parents would prefer to celebrate the accomplishment even though the lift would only last a few seconds and would only extend about an inch.
Month 3
This is the month when you will notice your ʙᴀʙʏ lifting their heads more frequently because tummy time has strengthened their chest, arm, and neck muscles. But this is not where it ends. This month, your ʙᴀʙʏ will be able to glance around and turn his or her head from side to side while still in your arms.
Month 4
Your ʙᴀʙʏ will be able to frequently lift their head and lift a portion of their chest with the aid of their forearms by the end of this month. Your infant will be able to hold her head straight if you sit with her on your lap, which means you won’t need to support her neck while carrying her. By lifting up her arms, she can also raise her neck to a 90-degree position.
Months 5 And 6
Most infants can easily hold up their heads and chests in the fifth and sixth months of life. In reality, they will be able to hold their heads strongly and steadily by the sixth month. Additionally, towards the end of the first six months, they can sit up alone for long stretches, allowing parents to push them in a stroller while they are still in a sitting position.
Tummy time is the most crucial component of helping your ʙᴀʙʏ eventually establish head control. This is due to the fact that time spent on the stomach helps the ʙᴀʙʏ’s neck and shoulder muscles grow stronger, which is important for the infant to be able to hold his head erect for extended periods of time. Additionally, your ʙᴀʙʏ may cry and dislike tummy time at first, but nothing surpasses it for progressively assisting your ʙᴀʙʏ in holding their heads up. Additionally, it helps your ʙᴀʙʏ’s motor abilities and hand-eye coordination while also enhancing hand strength.
Start It Early
The majority of parents tend to be a little hesitant about tummy time, but in reality, you may begin as soon as your ʙᴀʙʏ is a few weeks old. You might begin by setting them down on your lap for a short period of time each day. You can progressively extend the time based on how comfortable your kid is.
Encourage Your ʙᴀʙʏ
Encourage your infant to slightly glance up while on his or her stomach. To grab their attention and get them to look up, you can sing to them, chat with them, or shake a rattle or toy at them. A belly time mat with lively colours, light, sound, and toys is an additional option.
When Can You Stop Supporting Your ʙᴀʙʏ’s Head?
For the first few months, you must be cautious around your infant and hold her head up while washing, carrying, or otherwise holding her. But by the time your child is four months old, they ought to be able to stand up on their own. It could be a good idea to talk to your paediatrician if you discover that you still need to support your ʙᴀʙʏ’s neck after four months.
Source: news.motheringdiary.com
