Your baby is born with some very interesting reflexes and physical traits. From a twitching nose to a quivering chin, it's obvious that your baby's nervous system has a long developmental journey ahead. But even the first few months after birth bring incredible milestones -- and so much to anticipate!

Jessica Gibbons of Boise, Idaho fondly remembers the first time her daughter showed that she recognized her mother's voice. "She heard my voice and started kicking her legs wildly because she was so happy to see me," Gibbons says.

In the first few weeks, many parents are faced with a grandparent's waggling finger and nagging words, "Be sure to support her head!" Your baby's head is like a bowling ball sitting atop a twig. She's been floating around in amniotic fluid up until birth, after which an amazing force was introduced: gravity. Gravity is something she'll have to contend with if she is to gain head and neck muscle control.

"Developing neck strength becomes one of the important developments in the first three months of life," says Dr. John Tedeschi, chief of pediatrics at Virtua West Jersey in Voorhees, N.J. "By the end of the first month, a baby's movements, which have previously been very jerky, become more mature and their muscle control improves. The baby's neck muscles will also develop more rapidly, giving the baby more head control."

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.