How to Train Newborns to Lift Their Heads?

Question

My baby is still quite young, and my wife has been letting him lie on his stomach, saying that this helps train him to lift his head. I’m a bit worried that it might hurt the baby. Do newborns really need to train to lift their heads? How should I train my baby to lift his head?

Answer

Generally, by the time babies reach three months old and are able to lift their heads, they will develop the first curvature in their neck and back. When they can sit independently at around six to seven months, they have a chest curvature. And when they can run and walk around the age of one, they have a third curvature in their back. These curvatures are not fixed and may disappear when lying on their backs. Therefore, for newborns, we should create as many opportunities as possible for them to play on their stomachs, exercise their bodies, lift their heads, so that the curvature of their neck can develop into the correct shape.