When Do Babies Roll Over

If you’re a new parent, you may be wondering, “when do babies roll over?” Rolling over is a developmental milestone for infants. Once your baby has head control and can sit on his own, usually around five or six months of age, he will learn to roll over.

Eventually, your baby will learn how to flip over from his back to his stomach, and back again. He will use this new skill to move around. What motivates him to do this? Usually, it’s a toy that is out of reach. Or he may simply be trying to get closer to you.

Developing A New Skill

An infant may be able to kick himself over from his tummy to his back. This can happen as early as two or three months of age. But it will take a little longer, around five or six months, for him to flip from his back to his stomach. He needs stronger arm and neck muscles to do this move on his own.

When you place your three-month-old baby on his tummy, he will raise his head and shoulders to look around, using his arms for support. These little push-ups develop muscles. His first flip from tummy to back will amaze both of you.

At five months old, he will probably lift his head, push himself up on his arms, and lift his chest by arching his back. He might even “swim” by rocking on his stomach, kicking his legs, and moving his arms. These exercises further strengthen the muscles he will need to roll over.

Rolling is the primary mode of transportation for some babies, while others skip this developmental step and go directly to sitting, lunging, and crawling. As long as your baby shows an interest in moving around and exploring his environment, you have nothing to worry about. If he’s not developing these interests, ask your doctor about it.

How Parents Can Help

Rolling over strengthens your baby’s neck, back, leg, and arm muscles. This enables him to learn to sit by himself and eventually crawl. Most babies can sit on their own at six or seven months, but crawling takes a little longer.

To encourage these developmental skills, encourage your baby by playing with him. When he rolls over to one side, wiggle a toy on that side to see if he roll over again. Or lie down next to him, just out of reach, to see if he will roll toward you. Give him a lot of praise and smiles to encourage him, since rolling over can startle him the first few times.

To protect your baby before and while he learns to roll over, hold him during diaper changes. Never leave him alone on a bed or elevated surface, even when he is a newborn. If his first roll occurs in this type of situation, it could cause serious injury to your baby.