12 week old not holding head up

[VerityClinch]

The health visitor has just told me to take 12 week old DD to my GP as she's not holding her head up. She can't do the "pull up" test, iykwim.

On her tummy she is strong and pushes up on her hands, but I have to support her sitting up on my lap, or carrying her upright.

I thought 12 weeks was a bit early to worry about this... my "what to expect" book says most babies can't do this at the start of month 4... but now I am starting to worry.

And, when I think about it, I am sure she was stronger in her neck at her 6 week check, when my husband and I were actually surprised at how strong she seemed to be. Can she have gone BACKWARDS since then?

Should I worry? Anyone else have any experience of this?

TIA

My HV got me really worried about this when my ds couldn't do the "pull up" test at 6 weeks(!) and she said I had to keep an eye on it. Like you I checked my book and it said about 3-4mths for this and sure enough by 4mths my ds could do it no problem. If your dd can hold her head up and push up when she is on her front then that sounds good.

No harm seeing the GP though who can no doubt put your mind at rest.

My dd didn't have full head control until nearly 6 months but did have some developmental delays. However even her pediatrician said 6 months was still in the 'normal range' so I would be very surprised if 12 weeks was considered late.

I'm sure you will be reassured by your GP

Thank you! I am losing all patience (and sense of persective) with our HV team - they dismiss everything I am worried about (which doesn't stop me worrying), then create some NEW worries for me by showing concern about things that weren't bothering me at all... this is just part and parcel of being a new mum, though, I guess?

sorry- whats the 'pull-up' test?

Verity - I also have a 12 week old, who shows no sign of any real neck control - it hasn't occurred to me to worry about that tbh. I think it's early days to be concerned yet.

This is my 3rd child, and I totally share your views on the HV team. I'm concerned about my baby's feeding, although she's averaging on the HV's centile graph, therefore my concerns are waved away. On the other hand, the HV came out for a home visit to weigh DD, and commented on DS's lack of speech - which I hadn't been too worried about previously.

I wouldn't have thought it likely that your DD has taken a step backwards since her 6 week check; thinking about it, her head will be heavier to her than it was 6 weeks ago, and I'd be amazed if your GP had any concerns at all.

These 'what to expect' books can be interesting to read in many ways, but I had to ban myself from looking at mine when DS was around 1. As if I didn't have enough to worry about, without a book giving me more!

Sounds like you and your DD are doing just fine. Congratulations x

The pull up test is where they hold on to your fingers with their fists when lying down and you pull them up to a sitting position. If they keep their head level with their body on the way up, they "pass", if their head slumps back, then they "fail".

Will post back when I get the GP's verdict!

Jock, please ignore the centiles on the charts, my DD is off the top of the 99.6 centile on the growth chart, and has been since birth. She started out on the 50th centile for weight, but was hypoglycemic and not feeding properly. Now she is 91st centile, so putting on weight really well, and I am getting a boll0cking from the HV because she has crossed centile lines. Absolutely no consideration given to the fact that she isa bl00dy LONG baby - all that extra length has to weigh something, doesn't it.

Grrr. OK, rant over until we see the GP tomorrow.

(Jock - hope I haven't made you worry about neck control now too! )

Jock - sorry - just re-read that you're on your third - so am sure you know better than to pay attention to the growth charts anyway!

My DS2 couldn't do the 'pull-up test' at the 8 week check. I had to go back to the HV every two weeks and she referred him to the GP at 12 weeks when he still couldn't do it. The GP said not to worry because he was smiling and giving eye contact. He was finally able to do it at about 14 weeks.

I asked the HV is this delay meant that he'd be behind with other things and she said 'no'. He ended up crawling quite early and was walking at 11 months.

I know this is old but any update? I'm going through the same thing

I was told passing the head lag test was more of a 4-6 month skill so don’t worry lola if your baby is younger than that!

Awww thank u...my beautiful boy is just nearly 12 weeks.xxx

My son definitely had head lag at 12 weeks. By 4 months it was much better and by 6 it was fine and he was bracing his stomach muscles to “help” the process of moving upwards too and tucking his chin in. When you do it remember to very gently tug your babies arms once or twice to prepare them before pulling (if someone pulled me up by my arms without warning I’d prob have head lag too!)

Do you do any tummy time with her?

I do tummy time he's great at tummy time now. He lifts his head very well.