When Do Babies Roll Over (And Do I Need To Babyproof?)
Doesn’t it seem like just days ago you were laying in your hospital bed, gazing down at the beautiful new wonder your body has spent 40 some-odd weeks crafting and creating?
Now that mischievous chap’s eyes have widened, he’s aware, he broadly smiles whenever he sees your face and he’s actually doing “stuff”!
That stuff may not seem so incredible to an outsider (“He glanced in my general direction!” “He reached for his insanely overpriced giraffe without me helping!” “He giggled and pooped!”) but what is impressive is when baby gets on the move.
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When Do Babies Roll Over? Rolling Over: A Major Milestone
The majority of babies will start to roll over after they have already:
a) Gained control over their massively cute and oh so kissable head; and
b) Mastered sitting on his or her own with support
Your baby will probably start to show signs of “wanting” to roll over when he is three months old.
If you place him on his stomach, he will either get made or he will lift his head and shoulders high while using his arms for support (your baby is already doing upward dog! Hooray!).
He may flip over at this point, but that’s because his heavy head took him there – he didn’t want to go there.
Expect crying during tummy time.
When a baby will first truly roll over with intention will differ.
image source: MomJunction
The youngest babies in the roll-over group may be as young as four months, and this is from his tummy to his back.
To roll over from his back to his front, however, could take anywhere from five to six months.
This is because your bubs needs to work out in his exersaucer more and build up those neck and arm muscles for that special maneuver.
Should I Be Concerned My Baby Did Not Roll?
We all know that we are unique individuals, and that includes how we develop.
If your baby did not roll and instead chose to sit, lunge, and crawl, applaud him for it!
Babies “missing” this milestone are no better or worse off than those who did it.
Your baby simply found a more effective way for himself to motor around your home, get into your cupboards and endlessly dump the dog water dish (note to self: buy towels).
Can I Help My Baby Roll?
Despite the term “milestone” implying that these tasks and events are struck in stone, they really aren’t.
But if you really want to make sure your little one masters the same gymnastics move he will repeat over and over again when you enroll in him “preschool gymnastics 101”, here’s what you can do.
Take your baby’s favorite toy and wiggle it next to the side your baby seems to prefer leaning or rolling towards (you can also try lying down next to him and seeing if he will roll closer to you).
Applaud your baby’s efforts and smile.
Be encouraging, even if your baby looks freaked after he rolls (and he will look freaked, but so would you if you had just spent the last three months on your back).
If baby rolls over, shower him with kisses.
If he doesn’t, shower him with kisses.
Trust us, you have a very limited time to do this before they become embarrassed in front of their friends. Take advantage of it.
You Should Only Be Worried If…
So here’s the deal.
“Rolling” is not so much of the issue.
“Mobility” is the issue and that is what you and your doctor should be concerned about in terms of your darling little one.
By the time your baby is six months old, he should have:
- Figured out how to flip one way or another
- Figured out how to sit
- Attempted to scoot and crawl
*Special note:
Premature babies may reach their milestones later than their peers, typically the number of weeks they were born prematurely.
Chances are your doc will tell you to sit it out for a month and follow up, at which point your baby will undoubtedly be on the go and you will be needing to babyproof EVERYTHING (seriously, pick up the dog water bowl or block it off).
But if baby has not progressed in that time, go back for a follow up.
Let’s Go Roll One
Rolling over is one of those milestones that we have seen all too often on social media and then said, “So what?”.
But to parents, it’s huge.
Check out this adorable video showing the stages of a baby rolling over:
It’s a sign of things to come, and it is friggin’ exciting.
- Rolling is not the only acrobatic act your child will perform.
- As long as baby is on the move, he’s likely just fine developmentally
- Babies who are not rolling or mobile by half a year should have a quick visit with the doctor
Have a story to share or a question to ask? Feel free to ask us below!
References:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-milestone-rolling-over_6504.bc
http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/roll-over/
http://www.parents.com/baby/development/physical/when-do-babies-roll-over/
