When do babies roll over?

When do babies roll over?

[mme_highlight] Rolling over is the flipping of your baby from back to tummy, tummy to back or back to side. Babies should start rolling over in one direction at least by the age of 5 months and in both directions by the age of 7 months. [mme_highlight]

Monitoring the milestones development and growth of the baby, as well as accompanying the baby crossing each step of the developmental process is frequently a half solved question for most parents. The time of development of each milestone widely varies among babies and it depends on many factors. Even siblings who grow in the same environmental conditions achieve milestones at different times. Thus, “Rolling over” is not an exception and it is achieved by babies at different times ranging from 2 and a half months to 7 months of age.

What is Rolling over?

Rolling over is the flipping of your baby from back to tummy, tummy to back or back to side. It is a part of the developmental process, which is considered to be a starting step for reaching next milestones like crawling and creeping.

When can you expect your baby to roll over?

As we discussed earlier, rolling over onset greatly varies among babies and on an average they roll over from tummy to back first at the age of 3 to 5 months and later from back to front at around 5 to 8 months. The later requires stronger coordination of neck and shoulder muscles. You should not be worried though, if the roll over occurs in a different sequence.

What happens during roll over?

At 3 months duration neck holding develops. When put on his/her tummy, the baby tries to lift the head, puts weight on shoulders, and the ongoing exercise strengthens the muscles. The coordination of the muscle groups of neck, shoulder, chest and abdomen over a period of time which varies among babies is responsible for him/her to successfully roll over from tummy to back, back to tummy or both sides.

Rolling over can be divided in 4 stages:

  • Tummy to Back
  • Back to Tummy
  • To the side
  • In both directions

As early as baby develops neck holding capacity and strength in the arms to sit with the help of support, it is the time to be alert as the baby can roll over to reach a toy or the mother.

Tummy time for your baby

It’s rolling time for your baby! Spare some “tummy time” during day time, when your baby is alert and awake, to help her/him practice rolling over. The baby should be placed on tummy and then encouraged to roll over by placing a toy or by giving gentle support with your hands. This can be done several times a day and it helps the baby strengthen his/her neck and shoulder muscles. Soon you will see your baby start rolling over. Clapping hands and smiling, when your baby rolls over, is a positive reinforcement you should give your baby.

You should be careful at the same time, as most babies roll over for the first time in an unexpected time. Baby should be always supported and should not be left alone or unattended.

When should I be concerned?

Rolling over is not a mandatory milestone for every baby. It can be missed by some babies and, if it is the case, the next milestones like sitting and crawling can develop bypassing rolling over. You should not be concerned if your baby is active and interested in you and surroundings. In fact, skipping milestones shouldn’t be a reason for you to worry, if the baby reaches the next milestone and is active enough.

If the baby is not flipping over from one side to another even after 6 to 7 months of age, then it is a reason of concern and you should take her/him to be evaluated by a specialist. Fat babies as well as premature babies tend to develop milestones later when compared to other babies and it should also be taken into consideration.

Summary and Recommendations

  • Rolling over involves the flipping of your baby from back to tummy, tummy to back or back to side.
  • This milestone achievement requires strength and coordination of the muscular groups of neck and shoulders. You can help your baby do this by placing her/him on tummy and stimulate her/him with a doll. Then give a positive reinforcement with every little success towards rolling over.
  • Although the moment of rolling over onset can vary, a study conducted by the American Association of Pediatrics, concluded that babies should start rolling over in one direction at least by the age of 5 months and in both directions by the age of 7 months.
  • Fat babies and premature babies tend to develop milestones later.
  • Take your baby to a doctor if she/he does not roll over after 6 to 7 months of age.

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References:

  • Berk, Laura E. (2012). Infants and children: Prenatal through middle childhood. Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 0205011098.
  • Aslin, Richard N. (1993). “Commentary : the strange attractiveness of dynamic systems to development”. In Thelen, Esther; Smith, Linda C. A Dynamic systems approach to development applications. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. ISBN 0-585-03867-8. OCLC 42854628.
  • Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5; American Academy of Pediatrics.

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