At what month does a neonate normally smile in response to a face and raise their head 30 degrees when lying prone?

A neonate typically begins to smile in response to a face and can raise their head to about 30 degrees when lying prone around 2 months of age. At this developmental stage, social engagement starts to emerge, and infants show recognition of familiar faces, leading to smiles. Additionally, motor skills are developing, allowing for some ability to lift their head while on their stomach, although they may still be quite wobbly and require further strengthening of neck and back muscles.

By 1 month, infants have not yet developed responsive smiling to faces. By 3 months, smiles and head elevation become more pronounced, as infants can usually lift their heads higher and have more intentional social interactions. At 4 months, head control is even more advanced, and social smiles are frequent. Understanding these milestones helps in assessing typical infant development.