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When Do Babies Roll Over

Leena Palande
When do babies roll over on side? When do they do the same from stomach to back, and back to front? Find answers to all such questions here.
New parents are so excited, and so much in a hurry, that they start wondering when their bundle of joy would roll over, and when he will have control over his neck. Each infant needs support under the head and neck, for at least the first two months.
A 6 to 8-week, healthy, and strong baby is able to raise his head slightly while lying on his back. While carrying him on your shoulder, you may notice that he can hold up his head shakily, at least for a few minutes. This is the time when the development will gradually speed up, and your kid will try to roll over on his side.

When do Babies Start to Roll Over
Rolling over is one of the important developmental milestones in a baby's life. If you are impatient to know more, here is all about when babies roll over:

On The Side

The average age for this is 3 months. When the baby is about 3 months old, he will use his arms for support, and lift the head high, when placed on his stomach. This mini-push-up exercise strengthens the muscles that are used to roll over.
When placed on his back, he will amaze you and himself by instinctively rolling over on his side to look at you. Once this becomes regular practice, he will try to flip from back to front, or front to back.

From Stomach To Back

The answer, in this case too, is 3 months. However, it should be borne in mind, that the time taken by every baby, to learn the skill of rolling over, may be different.
It is easier for infants to flip from front to back, and hence this task seems perfectly normal and easy for them.
However, rolling the other way round will be a bit tough, and your child may succumb to tantrums and wailing in frustration. Your child will naturally develop his leg, neck, back, and arm muscles while learning to roll over.

Rolling Over Both Ways

This question won't haunt you for long, as the baby will soon demonstrate his skills. At 5 months, he will be strong enough to lift his head high easily, perform push-up exercises on his arms, and raise his back to lift his chest off the ground.
It's a pleasure to watch him swaying on his stomach, kicking his legs, with his arms flailing. All these exercises help strengthen the muscles required for this purpose. By the time he's about 6 months old, he will be able to roll over both ways (stomach to back, and back to stomach).

Motivation and Encouragement

You can encourage your baby to develop new skills through play.
  • You may lie down next to him on one side, and encourage him to roll over to get closer to you.
  • If you notice that the baby is trying to do so, you may wiggle a toy, or clap next to the side he is about to roll on.
  • Applauding and smiling will also motivate him to learn new skills.
  • Applauding and smiling will also motivate him to learn new skills.
Some babies develop skills slowly; there is nothing to worry about this.

Precautions

Rolling over is really fun, but you need to take certain safety precautions for your child.
  • Never leave your baby alone and unattended on a bed, table, or any other elevated surface.
  • While trying to roll over, the baby may fall down. So, make sure he is constantly on a padded surface while doing so, to avoid bumps.
  • You should always keep your hand on him during diaper changes, as a measure of caution.
Your kid's first rolling-over experience should be enjoyable for him as well as you. Hence, it should not result in a serious injury.
It is a fact that most babies roll over within six months. However, it is also possible that your kid skips it altogether, and moves on to sitting and lunging. Every baby is unique; let him develop at his own pace. You can always consult the pediatrician if you think your child is lagging behind. He is the best person to evaluate an infant's development.
Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.