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Original poster

My newborn baby is holding his head up.

41 replies

DaleyBump · 30/11/2013 21:30

Sorry, no idea if I'm posting this in the right place. DS was born on Friday and he keeps holding his head up, even when I'm supporting it. Is this normal? Will he hurt himself? Probably totally paranoid and pfb, sorry!

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QueenElizabethTheZygon · 30/11/2013 21:32

No it's fine, he's practicing! DS was trying it a few days after birth too. :)

FannyFifer · 30/11/2013 21:32

Normal, don't worry, one of mine was like this from birth as well.

dyslexicdespot · 30/11/2013 21:33

DS was able to hold his head up from birth as well. I'm not sure if it normal but I don't think it is harmful.

LovesBeingHereAgain · 30/11/2013 21:33

My ds was looking round the room when dh was walking him round after being born so not totally nonalcoholic but not tgat rare

Original poster
DaleyBump · 30/11/2013 21:33

Thanks everyone! :)

OP posts:
HorraceTheOtter · 30/11/2013 21:34

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ViviDeBeauvoir · 30/11/2013 21:34

Yep. It's fine! My DC3 was doing this from birth too (goodness knows how as he had a massive head!)

Congratulations!

bigkidsdidit · 30/11/2013 21:34

Both of mine could do this. But mine were both two weeks late and very big, so that's probably something to do with it.

Congratulations :)

bundaberg · 30/11/2013 21:35

ds1 was like this! midwives in hosp commented on his strength. he was always very physical.. sat, crawled and walked early too.

LongStripedScarfWearer · 30/11/2013 21:35

Yup, my DC2 did this too.

Congratulations!!

HorraceTheOtter · 30/11/2013 21:35

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ReallyTired · 30/11/2013 21:38

No you aren't paranoid.

All healthy newborns can lift their heads a little bit. See this video to see what a newborn is capable of:

www.breastcrawl.org/

congratulations!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 30/11/2013 21:38

Both mine could do this as well, don't worry Smile

Congratulations! Grin

onlyfortonight · 30/11/2013 21:40

It is a good sign! Both mine could do it...it was a bit eerie to be fair, they would turn their heads to look if someone spoke in the room. My obstetrician (difficult pregnancy so consultant-led care) saw DD2 do it at 2 days old and commented that it indicated good neural development - so don't worry - but be a little wary and still support the head when you pick him up, it will take a while yet before he can handle the weight for any length of time.

mellicauli · 30/11/2013 21:42

My son did this too..9 years later and I can see. No harmful effects.

out2lunch · 30/11/2013 21:42

dd did this too - she was 4 wks early

she also crawled :) nurses were impressed

Vicki1972 · 30/11/2013 21:43

My oldest was holding her head up really early as well.

You do need to make sure you are still supporting it though as their muscles are still really weak and they have a tendency to suddenly flop.

Congrats by the way.

likelytoasksillyquestions · 30/11/2013 21:46

Mine did this, too. It makes sense with his personality - he hated the dependency of babyhood and grouched pretty much nonstop til he was mobile sorry at which point he turned into an endlessly-delighted charm.

He was also ridiculously alert and sleepless. sorry again

His urge-to-independence took me by surprise and really challenged me tbh, but I love it about him now.

He didn't crawl, roll, walk particularly early. He did talk v well early, though.

Ramble, ramble. Congratulations!

out2lunch · 30/11/2013 21:47

yy congratulations daley :)

HoratiaDrelincourt · 30/11/2013 21:48

All three of mine have done this.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

HappyHolidaysOneAndAll · 30/11/2013 21:48

Both mine could too, people found it very odd!

BalloonSlayer · 30/11/2013 21:48

My first did this too.

Was also late to walk/sit up/anything and the most un-sporty person (apart from me) you are ever likely to meet.

So . . . imo . . . a good sign of a healthy baby but don't start expecting top sportsman because it's not necessarily a sign of anything much. I think I might have worried that it was a sign that DS1 "needed something that I was maternally failing to offer and was craning his neck looking for it " - well that wasn't so. Hmm )

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 30/11/2013 21:48

Congratulations Thanks

You're not paranoid, DS (born 2 weeks late) was the same. He also couldn't wait to start pulling himself up, crawling, walking, jumping etc (brace yourself Grin )

VisualiseAHorse · 30/11/2013 21:49

My lad did it quite early too, maybe day three... Just make sure if you're 'tummy time' that the surface is quite soft, as he may suddenly just drop his head and hurt his wee nose. And continue to support his head when holding him at all times, his neck is still very weak so he won't be able to hold steady for a long time.

BertieBowtiesAreCool · 30/11/2013 21:49

DS did this too and you'll be pleased to know he didn't grouch at the concept of being a baby Grin he was generally lovely and very chilled out. Slept for hours too although he was alert when awake. So I don't think it makes any difference! He crawled and cruised early but didn't sit or walk until quite late.