Developmental Milestones: Rolling Over - BabyCenter Australia

Key Takeaways

• Tummy time builds neck and arm strength, which helps your little one master the rolling milestone later.

• Most babies roll between five and seven months, but some will surprise you and do it sooner.

• Once baby starts rolling, never leave them unattended on raised surfaces like change tables.

After your baby develops the strength to hold their head up, they’ll learn to roll over. This means your baby can turn from lying on their back to being on their tummy and vice versa.

Rolling over is one of your baby's first steps towards becoming mobile.

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When will my baby be able to roll over?

Your baby will probably be able to roll over from their front to their back when they’re about five or six months old, when their neck and arm muscles are strong enough (Sharma and Cockerill 2014). They’ll then learn to roll from their back to their front from about six to seven months (Sharma and Cockerill 2014).

All babies develop at different rates, though. Some babies manage to roll over as early as four months (CDC 2019a), whereas others may take longer.

Your baby may take you by surprise by suddenly getting the hang of rolling over. That’s why it’s so important never to leave your baby unattended when you’re changing their nappy on a raised surface. Just in case, it may be a good idea to get into the habit of changing their nappy while they’re lying on the floor.

How will my baby learn to roll over?

Newborn to two monthsGiving your baby tummy time from day one will help them start developing the muscles they need to learn to roll over (AOTA 2018). Tummy time encourages your baby to move their arms and legs, and build up the muscles in their head, neck and upper body (AOTA 2018).

Some babies don’t like being on their tummy at first. Being in this new position can be a strange experience for your little one. If this happens, try to distract them with a toy, or get down to where they can see you, and offer lots of encouraging smiles and chatter (AAP 2017a).

You could try propping them up a bit by putting a small, rolled-up towel under their arms, until they get used to the feeling. Or have them lying on your chest or on your forearm, with their head well supported (APCP 2016). If they’re still upset, stop the activity and try again another time.Three to four monthsWhen you put your baby on their tummy at three months, they may be able to lift their head and shoulders off the floor using their arms (Sharma and Cockerill 2014). This mini-push-up helps them strengthen the muscles they'll use to roll over.

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At this point they may amaze you, and themselves, by rolling from their back to their front, or vice versa.

Encourage your baby to push up with their arms by putting a toy just out of their reach above them. This will tempt them to raise themselves by straightening their arms to see the toy better. You could also try holding a toy at their eye-level a short distance away. This will encourage them to push up and reach for the toy.Five to seven monthsYour baby may be able to lift their head, push up on their arms and arch their back to lift their chest off the ground (Sharma and Cockerill 2014). They may also rock on their stomach, kick their legs, and swim with their arms.

All of this exercise strengthens your baby’s muscles. By the time they're about six or seven months old, they're likely to have learned to roll over in both directions (Sharma and Cockerill 2014).

You may find that your baby never really rolls over. They may skip that move and go straight to sitting and crawling or bum-shuffling. As long as your baby continues to gain new skills, and shows interest in getting around and exploring, they’re making great progress.

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Once my baby can roll over, what will they do next?

The muscles your baby uses to roll over are mostly the same as the ones they use to crawl and sit unsupported. When your baby has perfected the roll, their neck, back, legs and arms will get stronger.

By about eight to nine months, they’ll be able to sit up confidently without any support. They’ll also be able to move in and out of a sitting position by kneeling and then crawling (Sharma and Cockerill 2014).

How can I encourage my baby to roll over?

You can encourage your baby's new skill through play. Try wiggling a toy at their side to encourage them to roll towards it. If they manage to roll, applaud their efforts and smile. They may need your reassurance because this new body move can be alarming.

These other tips will help, too:

• Spend lots of time with your baby every day on the floor playing in different positions.
• Use toys that are interesting to play with and attract their attention, such as noisy toys and toys with bright colours and flashing lights. Put them a little out of reach to encourage them to move.
• Give them lots of chances to practice, putting them on their back and tummy and helping them to roll over. (LCCHS nd, SOMPAR 2012)

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Once your baby starts rolling, try to encourage them to roll in both directions. This will help them develop balanced muscles on each side of their body. Use a well-loved toy to motivate your baby to roll in the direction they favour least.

Rolling over is a milestone that will probably amuse you both, and watching your baby discover this new ability can be amazing. Of course, although rolling over is fun for them, it could be nerve-racking for you. Once your baby starts wriggling and rolling, you may want to keep a hand on them during nappy changes.

My baby can’t roll over yet. Should I be concerned?

Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others. And some babies never really take to rolling over. If your baby hasn't worked out how to roll over by the time they're about six or seven months old, and hasn't moved on to sitting, bottom-shuffling or crawling, mention it to your doctor or child health nurse (CDC 2019b). If your baby was born early (before 37 weeks), bear in mind they may reach this and other milestones later than most babies (AAP 2017b).

Find out when your baby may hit these physical milestones:

• head control
• crawling
• sitting
• walking

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