Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Original poster

Newborn lifting head

24 replies

AverageSnowflake01 · 09/01/2016 17:39

My DD is 10 days old now. A few days ago she started lifting and moving her head around in a fuss, but only for 1 or 2 seconds. I'm a bit freaked out. I read that babies can't do this until a month old.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Lj8893 · 09/01/2016 17:41

We had a thread like this the other day. Without being rude, I have no idea why you would be freaked out about it. Yes, on average most babies probably do this at a month but every baby hits milestones at different times.

ovenchips · 09/01/2016 17:43

Congrats on your DD!

My DC never had floppy heads. They were both nearly 10lbs so assumed that their ginormous size made a big difference.

If by freaked out, you mean worried, I don't think there is any need?

FrinkingIt · 09/01/2016 17:44

I have a fine photo of DS2 raising his head right up and supporting its full weight when he was about 3 days old, still in hospital. As with all these milestones there will be an average with a few hitting it way before and a few way after.

Are you worried there is a problem or just freaked out because you didn't think she'd be doing it yet?

Congratulations btw!

NerrSnerr · 09/01/2016 17:46

My baby never really had a floppy head either, some are just born with strong necks I suppose.

KP86 · 09/01/2016 17:47

Mine did it at 2 days, don't worry.

lucymootoo · 09/01/2016 17:48

I think it's very normal for tiny babies to be lifting there head.

Original poster
AverageSnowflake01 · 09/01/2016 17:53

Yeah, freaked out because I didn't think she would be doing it by now.

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 09/01/2016 17:54

My daughter did the same, never really had a very floppy head.

This did not lead to her enjoying the fetishised tummy time though. That took about 6 months before she'd do it without screaming almost immediately!

Footle · 09/01/2016 18:03

Normal in the olden days. Not abnormal now.

ChicagoMD · 09/01/2016 18:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

melonribena · 09/01/2016 18:17

My ds did this from birth. Was placed on his daddy's shoulder and raised his head to look.

Please don't be freaked out

ninekidz54 · 09/01/2016 18:28

All mine have had good head control from birth, the guide lines of what they do are based on the average, what some babies do early your find take longer then suggested to do something else

fredfredgeorgejnrsnr · 09/01/2016 19:15

I think there are two options:

  1. She's a few weeks early on a milestone and still well within in the average, so nothing to worry about and quite normal.

  2. She's actually an alien that was incubated inside you and is growing at a phenomenal rate and by the time she's five we'll all be enslaved to our alien overlords.

Gunting · 09/01/2016 19:20

My ds could lift his head from birth but he we overdue and 10.6lbs. I guessed that had something to do with it.

He's 10 weeks now and he can do a mini push up. These babies develop crazy quick!

BusyCee · 09/01/2016 19:25

I think there's a general tendency to assume babies are helpless and immobile, which isn't entirely true and can surprise first time mothers. Google the breast crawl and you'll be surprised by how nature has made babies quite adept at finding nourishment. I work with midwives who are quite used to seeing babies making social smiles from 3 wks (well before the 'standard' anticipated 8wks). They are little animals - but they're little animals who are programmed to survive in social groups. They're surprising and clever little wotsits.

Congrats on your new baby and I hope you enjoy watching all her unique development! Thanks

bonzo77 · 09/01/2016 19:29

I had 2 low birth weight and one 5 weeks prem. They all had some head control at birth. Prem one managed to dislodge his cpap when prone or on side due to moving his head so much.

Sparklycat · 09/01/2016 19:35

Mine did it from day one. Nothing to freak out about.

ingeniousidiot · 09/01/2016 19:43

DS2 lifted his head for a look around about 10 minutes after the planned cs - he didn't even know he was going to be born, let alone anything else. It shocked me at the time as it was in stark contrast to DS1 born 18 months previously, who was very slow to do any movement (since diagnosed with hypermobility). Put my sample of 2 together, and head movement is probably average .....

Junosmum · 11/01/2016 02:02

DS1 is a week old and was lifting his head from day 2. Obviously I still support his head but it's nothing to worry about!

antimatter · 11/01/2016 02:05

Both mine did it in day 1 or 2.

SnuffleGruntSnorter · 11/01/2016 02:25

Your child is clearly the strongest, best, most intelligent baby, OP. I know mine was Wink it's amazing isn't it?

Your baby will do lots of things slightly before and slightly after the average age. Try to relax and enjoy it.

Walkingintheraindrops · 11/01/2016 02:26

Congratulations! My DC could always control their heads- never thought much of it. It didn't mean anything- both were quick to sit up but very late to crawl and walk.

AnotherTimeMaybe · 11/01/2016 03:34

Totally normal as other PPs said, mine V did tummy time the day after he was born and generally he was a floppy baby!!

zannyminxoxox · 12/01/2016 10:19

My son did it as soon as he came out. The midwife said you shouldn't be doing that yet. All children are different. Milestones are only a guide

New posts on this thread. Refresh page