When Do Babies Hold Their Heads Up? (2024)

When your baby is first born, they'll have very weak neck muscles. But soon, they'll gain enough strength to hold up their head on their own. Babies start to hold their heads up by 2 months old, with most mastering the skill by 4 months old.

Keep reading to learn how long a baby's head needs to be supported, with tips for developing strong head control.

When Can Babies Hold Their Head Up?

Most babies will be able to independently hold their head and chest up with full control by 5 or 6 months, but it will take a lot of practice to get there—here is what you can expect from newborn to 6 months:

Newborn to 2 months

At first, your baby's neck is far too weak to support their head. As they grow, though, the neck muscles will quickly get stronger. By 2 months, you may notice them briefly popping their head up during tummy time, even if only for a few wobbly seconds. They might also be able to turn their head at a 45-degree angle. (If they detest tummy time at first, keep trying—it’s an important way to build neck muscles and upper body strength, and it also introduces them to the concept of head control.)

3 months

By 3 months, your baby should raise their head 90 degrees—and do mini push-ups—during tummy time. Despite these improvements, though, you'll still need to hold your baby’s head when you cradle, feed, and play with them.

4 months

Around 4 months, most babies won't need as much head support. At this point, they'll likely be able to raise their head even while lying on their back and prop themself up on their elbows (like a mini cobra) during tummy time. They're building muscles while preparing for another major milestone: learning to crawl!

So when can babies hold their heads up by themselves? Every baby reaches milestones at different times, but your child will probably gain full head control around 5 to 6 months. By this point, they should maintain proper alignment in their head, turn their noggin in different directions, and maybe even sit upright.

How Does Your Baby Develop Head Control?

Your baby’s neck muscles will build gradually, but you can take some steps to help build head control. Here are four ways to help your baby develop their neck muscles:

Engage in tummy time

Placing your baby on their stomach is the best way to build muscles in the neck and upper body. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting during the newborn phase; simply position your baby belly-down on your lap or chest for a few minutes, two to three times per day. Gradually increase the time your baby spends on their tummy until you reach a total of 20 minutes per session.

Does your baby hate tummy time? Keep at it! Research has shown that when babies get plenty of time on their tummies, the muscles in the neck and spine get crucial practice and begin to build up strength.

Try propping them up with a blanket for extra padding, and make the experience more fun with visual stimulation. For example, lie down with your baby while playfully talking to them, place colorful toys just out of reach, or use a patterned play mat. Always supervise your baby during tummy time, and make sure they're on a low, flat surface (the bed, couch, and changing table are off-limits!).

Let them reach

Place your baby on their back underneath something dangly (like a mobile). They might try to reach for it, which strengthens the muscles in the upper body.

Practice mini sit-ups

With your baby on their back, grab their hands and gently pull them upwards. They’ll lift their upper body and build valuable strength.

Try a Boppy pillow

Let your little one sit in a Boppy pillow; it will provide upper body support and cushion their fall if they lose their balance!

How To Support Your Baby’s Head

Since an infant's head is bigger and heavier in proportion to the rest of the body, it is important to give plenty of support to prevent the head from flopping, which can cause injury. You can help support your baby's head in a few ways:

• When picking up or laying down your baby, always support their head and neck with your hands to ensure their head does not flop.
• If you use a carrier, make sure your baby's head is upright and rests against your chest so they can breathe.
• When passing your baby to another person, make sure the person taking your baby uses their hands to support the head and neck securely.

Babywearing has many excellent benefits, such as calming and even reducing pain through an analgesic effect. But for NICU graduates, the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions that they might not have strong enough muscles to support breathing while in a carrier or sling. If your baby was born early, talk to your doctor before practicing baby-wearing.

When Can You Stop Supporting a Baby's Head?

During the newborn phase, you must support your baby's head whenever they're not lying down. Slide your palm behind their head, neck, and upper spine when picking them up. Also, check that they're securely fastened into strollers, car seats, bouncers, and other accessories to prevent head flopping.

For car seats, make sure your baby is tethered in a five-point harness, which is considered the gold standard in child car safety and can reduce the risk of injury by a whopping 82%.

You can stop supporting your baby's head once they gain sufficient neck strength (usually around 3 or 4 months); ask your pediatrician if you’re unsure. By this point, they're on their way to reaching other important developmental milestones, such as sitting up, rolling over, cruising, and crawling!