when can babies control their heads and other muscles?

At birth, your baby has little control over his head because his motor skills and neck muscles are fairly weak. He'll develop this crucial skill, which is the foundation for all later movement such as sitting up and walking.

Your baby will probably be able to lift her head when she's about a month old, and hold it up when placed in a sitting position at around 4 months. You'll notice a definite improvement in head control by this time. Your baby will be able to raise his head to 45 degrees while on his tummy and keep it up steadily. For a fun game that also develops his neck muscles, place your baby on his back and slowly pull him up by his hands to a sitting position. Slowly ease him back down, and repeat. At this age, he should be able to hold his head in line with the rest of his body as it's pulled up. You can probably carry him in a backpack now.By 6 months, your baby will be able to hold his head steady and erect, and he'll flex it forward when he's pulled into a sitting position. He may be ready for a jogging stroller at this point.