Head control is a good indicator of brain maturation. Newborns turn their head to the side to free their nose when lying on their abdomen on a flat surface. They cannot lift their head until they are 6 weeks old, however, and then do so briefly. By 3 to 4 months, they can raise their head, shoulders, and upper body while supporting themselves on their forearms. When newborns are pulled to sit, their head falls back. Head lag decreases and infants have steady head control by 5 to 6 months, when they can sit with support.

Infants begin purposely rolling from their back to one side at 4 months of age. As they begin raising their upper body from a flat surface by pushing up with their arms, they learn to flip from their abdomen to their back. Rolling from back to front is accomplished by 6 months.

During the first 2 months after birth, infants need to be in a position of full body support. By 5 months, they can sit up with back support; by 7 months, they can sit alone, leaning forward onto their hands. Infants can sit alone securely by 8 months, with their hands free to manipulate objects.