At what age should an infant be able to hold their head up independently?

An infant typically develops the ability to hold their head up independently around 3 months of age. This milestone is a crucial part of their physical development, as it demonstrates the strengthening of the neck and upper body muscles. By this age, infants have usually gained enough motor control and muscular strength to stabilize their heads. This ability serves as a foundational skill necessary for further motor milestones, such as rolling over and eventually sitting up.

At 1 month, an infant may briefly lift their head while lying on their stomach, but they do not have the strength or control to hold it up consistently. By 6 months, most infants can sit well and may be transitioning to unsupported sitting, but they have already mastered head control by this point. At 12 months, head control is fully established, and infants are typically mobile, often crawling or walking. Therefore, the timing of 3 months aligns with the expected developmental progression for head control in infants.