When Do Babies Roll Over

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Y o u r baby’s f i r s t stage o f mobility i s rolling o v e r . Rolling o v e r is a significant m i l e s t o n e for h e r . It i s an e x c i t i n g moment f o r parents t o see t h e i r baby t a k e her f i r s t step o f independent m o v e m e n t . This w i l l lead t o sitting u p independently, w a l k , crawl a n d move a r o u n d .

R o l l i n g over h e r little b o d y is a great f e a t for y o u r little o n e . It n e e d s enough s t r e n g t h from t h e neck, g o o d control o f the h e a d and s t r o n g arm m u s c l e s since i t would b e the f i r s t time y o u r tot t a k e s the h e l p of m u l t i p l e muscles f o r the m o v e m e n t .

A s you w a i t for y o u r baby t o make t h e first m o v e s , read t h r o u g h this t o understand a l l about b a b y rolling o v e r .

W h e n Will Y o u r Baby R o l l Over?

Y o u r baby’s i n i t i a l rolling o v e r takes p l a c e during t u m m y times. T h e s e are t h e times w h e n she l i e s flat o n her b e l l y and u s e s her a r m s to l i f t her h e a d and s h o u l d e r s off t h e floor. T h i s move h e l p s her s t r e n g t h e n the m u s c l e s she r e q u i r e s to u s e around.

O n c e your b a b y attains t h e strength t o lift t h e head, s h e will b e g i n to r o l l over. S h e can o v e r t u r n from l y i n g on h e r back t o lying o n her t u m m y and v i c e versa. B a b i e s start r o l l i n g over f r o m belly t o back a n d then p i c k up t h e back-to-belly a c t i o n a m o n t h later. I t is b e c a u s e the m o v e m e n t s require m o r e muscular s t r e n g t h and c o o r d i n a t i o n .

S i m p l e Precautions Y o u Need T o Take:

B a b i e s usually r o l l over w i t h o u t any n o t i c e . So, i t is i m p o r t a n t that y o u should n e v e r neglect y o u r child w h i l e on t h e bed o r any h i g h surface. I t may t a k e a f r a c t i o n of a second f o r her t o roll o v e r resulting i n a f a l l . Therefore, m a k e her l i e on t h e floor w h e n she s h o w s the s i g n s of r o l l i n g over.

H o w Will Y o u r Baby L e a r n Rolling O v e r ?

A t 1 M o n t h :

C a n raise h e a d for a moment.
T u r n s head t o w a r d s side w h i l e on t h e back.

A t 2 M o n t h s :

C a n raise h e a d to 4 5 degrees w h i l e lying f l a t on t h e belly.
T h e head c a n bob f o r w a r d while s i t t i n g .

A t 3 M o n t h s :

C a n bear l i t t l e weight w h i l e standing o n both t h e legs.
C a n control t h e head u p while s i t t i n g , however, b o b s forward.
C a n raise h e a d and s h o u l d e r s for 4 5 to 9 0 degrees w h i l e lying o n the b e l l y .
C a n carry w e i g h t on f o r e a r m s .

A t 4 M o n t h s :

C a n sit w i t h support.
G o o d head c o n t r o l .
C a n carry u p to a certain w e i g h t when h e l d upright o n legs.
C a n raise h e a d and c h e s t up t o 90 d e g r e e s .
R o l l s over f r o m back t o the s i d e .

A t 5 M o n t h s :

C a n hold t h e head u p while s i t t i n g .
R o l l s over f r o m belly t o back.

A t 6 M o n t h s :

C a n raise c h e s t and a part o f belly w h i l e lying o n the s t o m a c h .
C a n lift h e a d while i n a s i t t i n g position.
R o l l s over f r o m back t o belly.

H o w To T e a c h Your B a b y To R o l l Over?

I f your b a b y starts g e t t i n g comfortable o n the f l o o r and s e e m s anxious t o get m o b i l e , you c a n help h e r roll o v e r . The b e l o w steps m a y help y o u teach h e r to m o v e independently f o r the f i r s t time.

S t e p 1:

P l a c e your b a b y on t h e floor w h i l e she i s near t u m m y time. I t makes y o u r child c o m f o r t a b l e as s h e uses h e r neck m u s c l e s to k e e p her h e a d upright.

S t e p 2:

P l a c e her o n the b l a n k e t with h e r left s i d e lying o n the b l a n k e t ’ s left e d g e . Let h e r become c o m f o r t a b l e in t h i s position a n d make s u r e she w i l l keep h e r head u p for a t least a few s e c o n d s . If s h e fails t o do s o , it s i g n a l s that s h e is s t i l l not r e a d y to r o l l .

S t e p 3:

K e e p a t o y just a little d i s t a n c e away f r o m the b a b y ’ s reach. T r y to s h a k e and p l a y with i t before p l a c i n g it o n the f l o o r . Now w a t c h whether y o u r baby t r i e s to g e t it. S h e may k e e p her a r m s out, a n d the n e w position w i l l cause d i s c o m f o r t for s u r e .

S t e p 4:

A s your b a b y tries t o reach t h e toy, l i f t the b l a n k e t ’ s edge s o that h e r right s i d e is l i f t e d in t h e air. D o not l i f t it o v e r an i n c h . If s h e is u p s e t with t h e position, t r y to l o w e r and c o m f o r t her. M a k e sure t h i s becomes a pleasant e x p e r i e n c e for h e r .

S t e p 5:

K e e p one h a n d on h e r tummy a n d try l i f t i n g the e d g e of t h e blanket. S t e a d y her p o s i t i o n with y o u r hand a n d cradle h e r body. L i f t the s h e e t till s h e can r o l l over h e r back. E n s u r e that s h e can r e a c h the t o y where s h e can p e r c e i v e that r o l l i n g over m a d e her m o v e . Repeat t h e blanket a c t i v i t y every d a y until s h e becomes c o m f o r t a b l e to r o l l over o n her o w n .

S o m e babies d o not e n j o y their t u m m y time. I f they m a k e a f u s s or c r y , wait u n t i l they c a l m down b e f o r e helping t h e m roll o v e r .

T i p s That H e l p Your B a b y Learn T o Roll O v e r :

Y o u should k e e p a t r a c k of t h e changes t h a t will h a p p e n at e a c h stage, b e f o r e making y o u r little o n e do t h o s e activities. H e r e are a few t i p s for y o u r baby’s r o l l over:

G i v e your n e w b o r n tummy t i m e from t h e initial d a y as i t helps i n developing m u s c l e s essential t o roll o v e r . It a l s o lets y o u r baby m o v e her a r m s and l e g s and c a n boost h e r neck s t r e n g t h .

Y o u r baby m a y not l i k e to b e on t h e tummy i n i t i a l l y as i t can b e a s t r a n g e position f o r her. W h e n she i s in t h e second m o n t h , you c a n try p l a c i n g her f o r a m i n u t e or s o . You c a n give h e r tummy t i m e when y o u put h e r on y o u r chest a s it c a n be a great a l t e r n a t i v e until s h e gets a d j u s t e d .

Y o u can a l s o get o n the f l o o r along w i t h her a n d jiggle w i t h her f a v o r i t e toy. T r y i n g to d i s t r a c t and m a k i n g her r e a c h out f o r the t o y will m a k e her e n j o y being o n her b e l l y .

A t three m o n t h s , when y o u place y o u r baby o n her t u m m y , she w i l l lift h e r head a n d shoulders w i t h the h e l p of h e r arms. T h i s small p u s h up w i l l give h e r the s t r e n g t h to r o l l on. I t will a m a z e you a s she f l i p s from b a c k to f r o n t and v i c e versa.

Y o u should e n c o u r a g e your l i t t l e one t o do p u s h ups b y holding a toy a b o v e her h e a d level. I t will a u t o m a t i c a l l y tempt h e r to r a i s e by s t r a i g h t e n i n g her a r m s . You m a y also p l a c e the t o y a s h o r t distance a w a y from h e r eye l e v e l .

A t around f i v e to s e v e n months, y o u r little o n e can l i f t her h e a d , push u p her a r m s , and a r c h backward t o lift h e r chest o f f the f l o o r . She m a y also k i c k her l e g s ad s w i m using h e r arms. Y o u should e n c o u r a g e her t o do a l l these a c t s as t h e y strengthen h e r muscles, a n d she w i l l learn t o roll o v e r both t h e directions.

W h e n you a r e placing y o u r baby d o w n , roll h e r to o n e side a n d encourage h e r to g e t back b y herself. T r y the s a m e when l i f t i n g your b a b y .

G i v e her a toy, m i r r o r or a n y safe o b j e c t while s h e is l y i n g on a side. I f she i s not a b l e to r e m a i n in t h a t position, g i v e her s o m e support.

M a k e your l i t t l e one t w i s t both h e r upper a n d lower b o d y by t w i s t i n g her l e g s and a r m s .

K e e p your l i t t l e one i n carriers s o that s h e remains i n a f r o g – l i k e position r a t h e r than a straddling p o s i t i o n .

C a r r y her i n a t u c k e d – i n position i f you t a k e her f o r a w a l k . You c a n also d a n c e with y o u r baby c l o s e in y o u r arms.

D o not a l l o w your b a b y to s t a y long o n any b a b y equipment. I t may i n c l u d e swings, p l a y saucers o r bouncer c h a i r s . These w i l l prevent h e r from p r a c t i c i n g motor s k i l l s . Let h e r stay i n open a n d indulge i n different m o v e m e n t s .

H a v e enough t u m m y time e v e r y day s i n c e all t h e major m o t o r skills a r i s e from t h a t position. I t is g o o d for b a b i e s to l i e on t u m m y to s t r e n g t h e n their n e c k and s h o u l d e r muscles f o r creating a r c h against g r a v i t y .

G i v e your b a b y some t i m e to r e s t on h e r back i n a f o l d e d position. I t provides a balance b e t w e e n extension t h a t is a r c h i n g and f l e x i o n that i s in a tucked p o s i t i o n . Lying o n the b a c k can h a p p e n while y o u r baby i s on y o u r lap. I t is i m p o r t a n t as i t allows h e r to f l e x her k n e e s , trunk a n d hip m u s c l e s .

D o not a l l o w your b a b y to r e m a i n in t h e same p o s i t i o n for l o n g . Try t o change t h e position f o r every 1 5 minutes. I t exposes h e r to a l l positions t h a t involve i n rolling.

E n c o u r a g e your b a b y to p l a y in m i d l i n e position f o r movement a r o u n d the i n v i s i b l e line p r e s e n t in t h e center o f the b o d y . The a b i l i t y to r o l l depends o n your l i t t l e one’s a b i l i t y to c r o s s that m i d l i n e .

H o w To E n c o u r a g e Your B a b y To R o l l Over?

Y o u can p l a y with y o u r little o n e to e n c o u r a g e her t o roll o v e r .

J i g g l e her f a v o r i t e toy s o that s h e tries t o move t o w a r d s it.

U s e a t o y that y o u r baby l i k e s the m o s t .

L i e close t o her f o r her t o roll o n to g e t to y o u .

I f she r e a c h e s for t h e toy o r to y o u , cheer h e r up b y making h e r smile. S h e may t h e n get m o r e enthusiastic t o flip h e r body.

E n c o u r a g e her t o roll o n both t h e sides. I t helps t o develop b a l a n c i n g muscles.

B a b y Rolling O v e r And S a f e Sleeping:

Y o u need n o t worry i f your b a b y is r o l l i n g over w h i l e sleeping. I t means s h e is s t r o n g to h o l d her h e a d and c a n roll o n t o her b a c k . She u s u a l l y starts r o l l i n g on h e r tummy, f o l l o w e d by b a c k , and e v e n t u a l l y in a l l four p o s i t i o n s .

D u r i n g the f i r s t year, y o u should m a k e her l i e only o n her b a c k so a s to a v o i d sudden i n f a n t death s y n d r o m e (SIDS). W h e n you n o t i c e your b a b y rolling o v e r during s l e e p , try t o place h e r on h e r back. T h e SIDS r i s k for y o u r baby d e c r e a s e s after f o u r months. O n c e your b a b y completes o n e year, t h e r e is a l m o s t zero r i s k .

W h a t Can Y o u Do I f Your B a b y Rolls O v e r During S l e e p ?

1 . Baby J u s t Started R o l l i n g :

W h e n your b a b y rolls, k e e p her b a c k to t h e usual s l e e p i n g position. I f she i s upset, w a i t for a b o u t 15 m i n u t e s . If s h e is s t i l l worried, g i v e her a chance t o learn a b o u t the n e w position a n d roll h e r back a f t e r a w h i l e .

2 . Baby R o l l i n g For A While:

I f you n o t i c e her r o l l over, t r y rolling h e r back t o the u s u a l sleeping p o s i t i o n . If y o u see h e r upset, s o o t h e her u n t i l she f a l l s asleep. I f she r o l l s over b e f o r e midnight, l e t her s l e e p in t h e new p o s i t i o n or r o l l back i n t o the u s u a l position.

3 . Rolling D u r i n g Daytime:

D u r i n g daytime, a l l o w your b a b y to r o l l . Place h e r on h e r belly a n d leave u p to 1 5 minutes. I t helps t o strengthen h e r back. Y o u can t r y rolling h e r from b a c k to b e l l y and a g a i n back. R e p e a t it d u r i n g the b e d t i m e . It w i l l help h e r remember t o roll b a c k to t h e usual s l e e p i n g position i f she i s irritated w i t h the n e w position.

T i p s for S a f e Sleep P r a c t i c e s In B a b y :

U n t i l six m o n t h s of a g e , make s u r e your b a b y sleeps o n her b a c k on a bed. I t is t h e safest p o s i t i o n to p u t her t o sleep.

R e f r a i n from s m o k i n g during p r e g n a n c y and b r e a s t f e e d i n g as s m o k i n g can i n c r e a s e the r i s k of S I D S .

K e e p your b a b y ’ s bed c l e a n without a n y extra p i l l o w s , blankets o r stuffed t o y s as t h e y may c a u s e suffocation.

D o not s l e e p along w i t h your b a b y if y o u have t a k e n drugs o r alcohol.

D o not c o v e r your b a b y ’ s head; j u s t tuck h e r with b l a n k e t past h e r shoulders.

M a i n t a i n her r o o m ’ s temperature a t 16 t o 20 d e g r e e s C.

W h a t To E x p e c t Next A f t e r Your B a b y Rolls O v e r ?

T h e muscles t h a t are i n v o l v e d in y o u r baby’s r o l l i n g over a r e the s a m e that h e l p your b a b y crawl a n d sit.

O n c e your b a b y rolls o v e r perfectly, h e r neck, l e g s , arms a n d back b e c o m e stronger, a n d she w i l l start s i t t i n g , first w i t h your s u p p o r t , and l a t e r unassisted.
S h e will t h e n crawl, f o l l o w e d by s t a n d i n g and t h e n walking o n both t h e feet.

Y o u r Baby I s 7 M o n t h s Old A n d Still C a n n o t Roll. I s It A Concern?

E v e r y baby i s different f r o m the o t h e r . Some d e v e l o p skills q u i c k l y while s o m e may t a k e time. I t is t h e same w i t h rolling o v e r .

Y o u r baby m i g h t skip r o l l i n g over a n d progress t o sitting a n d crawling. A s long a s she c o n t i n u e s gaining n e w skills a n d gets a r o u n d , she i s making p r o g r e s s .

B u t if y o u r baby i s not r o l l i n g over a n d has a l s o not m o v e d to o t h e r skills l i k e sitting o r crawling, y o u should c h e c k with h e r doctor.

A l s o , if y o u r baby i s a p r e t e r m baby, s h e may r e a c h these m i l e s t o n e s later t h a n normal.

M a k e the m o s t of y o u r baby’s f i r s t step i n developing h e r postural c o n t r o l . Enjoy t h i s milestone a n d help h e r as m u c h as y o u can a s it i s the f i r s t stage o f independence.
I f you h a v e any e x p e r i e n c e s to s h a r e on b a b y rolling o v e r , please w r i t e in t h e comment s e c t i o n below.

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