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At what age can a baby hold his head?
The newborn’s head is heavy and bulky
Its head is proportionally much larger than in adults: it represents 35% of the volume of the whole body and a quarter of its total length. At birth, placed flat on his back, the baby turns it right and left symmetrically (except in cases of stiff neck), but he cannot yet keep it raised. It is not until the neurological connections are gradually established to command the muscles to function. The toddler is initially hypotonic of the trunk and his limbs are contracted. Over the weeks, the process is reversed: the limbs relax to control their movements, in parallel with the holding of the trunk and head, in an upright position.
It takes several weeks for the baby to stand up straight
Initially, the infant does not hold its head, regardless of its position. But very quickly, we must distinguish between the child installed in a horizontal position, lying on his back, and held vertically, in a baby carrier or sling for example. He needs less muscular strength to hold his head in line with the trunk, carried upright. He begins to achieve this at 2 months. To raise the head, when it is on the back, it uses the muscles of the neck while on the stomach, it is the muscles of the neck that act. It’s a bigger effort. When the infant is prone, he can lift his head around 2 and a half months. But he only keeps the posture for a few moments. It is at 4 months that the baby controls his head when carried in an upright position. He holds it straight and turns it at will. At this age, on his back, he brings her back to his chest and no longer lets her go backwards.
Also read the Awakening file note: do not hesitate to put your baby on his tummy.
How to help baby during the first months?
Having your head tossed back creates discomfort and causes muscle tension. It is best to give it support at the base of the skull, with the hand placed at the level of the neck, wide open so that the head rests there naturally. Normally, the child does not need to be helped to strengthen his neck. Except sometimes when his head is very heavy, a little disproportionate to his slightly thin body. In this case, the neurological maturation is done correctly, but the muscular strength of the toddler is not yet sufficient to retain it. We can promote the prone position during his waking moments, and help him to turn around and thus work the back and neck muscles. Also, to avoid or limit the phenomenon of flat head, we are tempted to place the child in an upright position too early, seated in a deckchair or propped up with cushions. Better though, that he can move and exercise his muscles freely!