Newborn head control – early and developing reflexes

When babies are born, they don't have the muscle control and movement needed to control their head; their response to gravity will be linked to a reflex known as the tonic labyrinthine reflex.^[1] If your newborn baby’s head flops so that it's below the level of their spine, their arms and legs will straighten; if their head is held above the level of the spine, their arms and legs will bend inwards and they'll adopt a similar position to the one they had in the womb.  

Developing body control takes time, and it starts at their head

The tonic labyrinthine reflex gradually becomes integrated as your child gains control of their body. However, full integration takes several years and as your child grows and develops, this reflex supports the development of muscles linked to posture, as well as supporting their balance.^[2]  

Your baby will gain more control of their movements but, at first, you will need to support their head when you hold them. Babies develop control of their bodies starting from their heads moving downwards to their toes. Controlling their head and neck will be one of the first aspects of gross motor control that you see as your baby moves from movements linked to primitive reflexes to conscious and controlled movements.^[3] 

Supporting them so they can see you

For now, cradling your baby in your arms and gently supporting their head will place them in the perfect position for them to look at your face and listen to your voice, which, as well as giving you time to enjoy being with them and bond, will also support their social and emotional and language development.   

Why your baby will turn their head to the side and centre

When your newborn baby is lying on their back you might notice that their head tends to be turned to one side. You might also notice that they have a preferred side (many babies prefer to turn their head to the right).^[4]

When your baby moves their arms and legs or when they cry, you'll notice that their head moves into the centre, so looking upward; this movement to the centre is thought to be linked with leg movements causing stimulation of the muscles in the torso and neck.^[5]  

Giving your baby time to move when they're awake and alert – both lying on their back or their tummy – will help them to develop control of their muscles and awareness of their body.  

Head control will eventually support balance, movement and posture

Your baby will gradually develop the muscles in their neck and be able to hold their head in the centre for longer, then turn their head, lift their head and be able to control the position of their head as they sit and move.  

The development of head control links closely to other aspects of development; once your baby can hold their head in position this provides a reference point for the vestibular system which works with other parts of the body to develop balance, vision and control of movement and posture.  

References:

[1] Goddard-Blythe, S. (2004). The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning. Stroud: Hawthorn Press. 

[2] Hemispheres. (undated)  Reflexes. The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)-Body Awareness and Movement. [Online] Available at: Children's Occupational Therapy Surrey - children's learning difficulties assessment and treatment - OT Occupational Therapists (hemispheres.org.uk) (Accessed:21 September 2021).  

[3] Sheridan, M., Sharma, A and Cockerill, H. (2014). Mary Sheridan’s from birth to five years. Children’s developmental progress. (4th edn.). Abingdon: Routledge.  

[4] Rönnqvist L, Hopkins B. Head position preference in the human newborn: a new look. Child Development. 1998 Feb;69(1):13-23.

[5] Versfiled, P. (1st January 2018) Development of head control: newborn-10 weeks. [Online] Available at: Development of head control: newborn-10 weeks | Task Oriented Movement Therapy (skillsforaction.com) (Accessed: 21st September 2021).