In their first year of life, many babies reach exciting milestones, including laughing and babbling, Another big one that usually happens in the first half of the year is rolling over. Most babies will figure out how to roll over between 4 and 6 months, although it may happen earlier or later for some babies.
Read on to learn when your baby is likely ready to roll over and how you can encourage them to hit that milestone.
First Year Baby Milestones by Month
Signs of Rolling Over
Your little one may start showing signs they are ready for this next step. Here are some clues to look for:
Pushing up on their hands during tummy timeLifting a hand in the air while pushing up off their bellyMoving a leg across their body while lying on their back
How Babies Start Rolling Over
Most infants turn from tummy to back first. That maneuver takes less neck and back strength than flipping from back to tummy, which could take another month or two to master.
Rolling over will likely be your baby's first chance to move without your help, but they may not like it initially, says Wendy Sue Swanson, M.D., a pediatrician in Seattle. "Many babies surprise themselves when they first roll over and may even cry," she notes.
While babies typically start rolling over between 4 and 6 months, it's usually closer to 6 months that they will be able to roll over on both sides.
How Can I Encourage My Baby To Roll?
Parents can help their little ones roll over by putting them on their tummy. “Frequent tummy time is probably the number one thing a parent can do to give a baby the skills, the strength, and the confidence to attempt rolling over,” Dr. Swanson says. Begin at birth! A few times each day, give your newborn one to two minutes of belly-down time on your chest or lap.
At 3 months old, start to prop them up on their forearms with their arms bent during tummy time, so they have more to push off of. "Or you can put a pillow or rolled-up towel on one side that she can push her body against," suggests Dr. Shu.
Tempt your baby to turn over by lying alongside them or putting a brightly colored toy at eye level on their left or right, so that it's just out of reach.
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Focus on Safety When Your Baby Is Rolling Over
While rolling over is an exciting milestone, it also comes with some safety concerns. Here are tips to keep your baby safe when they start to roll over:
Watch out for elevated surfaces. Keep a hand on your baby on high surfaces like beds and changing tables at all times. And always use the safety strap—even when they are newborns. “I've seen infants roll as early as 1 or 2 weeks,” Dr. Shu notes.Avoid dangerous areas. Avoid floor time in rooms with stairs unless they are gated. Move potentially dangerous objects well out of your baby's reach. Don't leave kids alone with pets. “If your little one happens to roll over onto the animal, the pet could react by sitting on or swatting at the baby,” Dr. Swanson warns.Make sure to babyproof. As your baby starts to get more mobile, it's a good idea to babyproof areas that may now be hazardous. For example, make sure furniture that can tip over is secured since your baby might roll near them.
What To Do if Your Baby Isn't Rolling Over
Some babies flip over only a few times or not at all. That's OK if your child is developing good head and neck control, says Dr. Shu. But if their limbs seem extra floppy or stiff at 3 to 4 months, or if they seem to favor one side of her body, tell your health care provider.
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