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What time a premature baby begins to confidently hold his head, lying on his stomach
The question of what time the child begins to hold his head is important for determining the correctness of his development. Mothers want this to happen as early as possible, but rushing is also bad for the baby’s health. Of course, during a mandatory examination, a neurologist will identify possible deviations and give his recommendations, but parents need to have an idea of the existing norms.
When the baby himself, lying on his stomach, raises his head
In a newborn, the cervical muscles are fragile, and the movements are unconscious, and he cannot control them. Taking the baby in your arms, be sure to hold your head, preventing it from leaning back and damaging the cervical vertebrae.
When the child begins to hold his head, it is easier for him to get acquainted with the surrounding objects.
Gradually, the muscles become stronger, the baby learns to control them. From the second week, start spreading it on your stomach, progress in development will be noticeable gradually:
- Up to 1 month. The child tries to lift his head off the surface.
- At 2 months. It is possible to raise the head at an acute angle for 30 seconds.
- At 3 months. The baby, still lying on his stomach and leaning on his forearms, holds his head more confidently, tears off the upper body. But the muscles are still weak, so the process needs to be controlled.
- From 4 months. The nervous system has noticeably strengthened, the movements have become conscious. The child manages to roll over onto his back on his own. He holds his head tightly, turns it, studying the world around him.
These dates are approximate and do not take into account the individuality of the child. A slight lag should not cause panic, and too early development can also be a deviation caused by an increase in intracranial pressure or other problems.
How to help a premature baby hold his head confidently
A noticeable developmental delay is possible in children born with pathologies and having a small weight. They require more attention, constant monitoring by a pediatrician. The development of their abilities largely depends on the help of their mother:
- Get a special massage. This will tone your neck muscles while helping to keep your head up.
- Watch your diet. The child may be weakened by malnutrition and may need to add formula to his diet.
- Train your baby to lie on its tummy. Do this before feeding or an hour after feeding in small increments, starting at 1 minute and gradually increasing the time.
- Do muscle-strengthening exercises. Lift it up, holding it under the chest and by the legs, face down, lay it on a large ball.
Any activities will give the child himself pleasure and benefit for his development.
Keeping your head up is the first and most important achievement. It strengthens the muscles of the neck and opens up new opportunities for cognition.