What developmental milestone comes after an infant can lift their head when prone?

What developmental milestone comes after an infant can lift their head when prone?

• A. Sit unsupported
• B. Crawl
• C. Gain complete head control
• D. Walk

Answer: (C)

Gaining control of the head and neck is the foundation for later movement. After an infant can lift the head when placed on the stomach, the next progress is complete head control—the ability to keep the head steady and upright in midline with better neck and upper trunk stability. This solid head control is what allows the infant to advance to positions that require more trunk strength, like pushing up and eventually sitting upright, and then moving on to crawling and walking. Sitting unsupported, crawling, and walking come after head and trunk control is well established, so they occur later in the sequence.

Gaining control of the head and neck is the foundation for later movement. After an infant can lift the head when placed on the stomach, the next progress is complete head control—the ability to keep the head steady and upright in midline with better neck and upper trunk stability. This solid head control is what allows the infant to advance to positions that require more trunk strength, like pushing up and eventually sitting upright, and then moving on to crawling and walking.

Sitting unsupported, crawling, and walking come after head and trunk control is well established, so they occur later in the sequence.