When do babies roll over?
Even before your baby learns to crawl, sit or stand, the very first milestone is that of a baby rolling over. It’s the first time that your baby makes a big move that enables him/her to see the world from a different view. For parents, this moment of independence may surprise and even stir some emotions.
Most parents wonder about the timeline, often searching for ‘when do babies start rolling over?’ in search engines. But one mustn’t pay too much heed to the timeline unless absolutely required. Rolling over requires adequate strength in the upper body muscles and arms. Babies can roll over as early as four months: and once that’s accomplished, you can expect your baby to roll back on their tummy by the time they’re six or seven months.
How do babies learn to roll over?
Making babies lie down on their tummy, under supervision always, helps strengthen their upper body strength. You’ll wonder when to start with tummy time? You can start it as early as the first week by placing baby on your lap head down for a few minutes when your baby is completely awake and alert. Always make sure to keep an eye on the baby. The little one will slowly be able to lift his head by himself and use his arms to prop his chest up. Eventually, at around three to four months, he will be able to roll over from front to back. Although, a baby rolling over from front to back is the first step, its completely normal if the baby flips the other way first.
What can you do to help baby roll over?
To begin with, ensuring your baby gets plenty tummy time to strengthen the upper body is a good start. Rolling over the first time can be quite alarming for the young one, so try to encourage by smiling and appreciating the little one’s attempts. Try coaxing her to roll by motioning her with a toy that she loves. Or try lying down beside her and see if she is trying to reach or get closer to you. Encourage her to roll over and similar activities through play.
How to ensure baby is safe once the little one begins rolling?
Once your baby has begun to roll over, you’ll need to be even more vigilant and careful. Most babies are bound to grab crumbs on the floor or reach out for wires and plugs. Ensure you have baby-proofed your home thoroughly. And it’s best to make space and let your tumbling champion practice their somersaults on an activity mat or thick carpet. It will not only allow them to have a good play area that will aid in the development of his motor skills, but also ensure you have some peace of mind.
You must be fretting about your baby rolling over in her sleep, and that’s a plausible concern considering its one of the reasons that increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). But you don’t need to keep a hawk eye on the baby every second of the night or plant your ear into the baby monitor. Experts suggest making sure your keep the sleeping area and environment safe by not having any loose bedding, pillows, soft toys or loose blankets that could cover his mouth, and ensuring you place the baby on its back when you put them to bed.
However, if you’re paranoid about baby rolling over in her sleep, and that’s completely fine too, you could try placing your baby on her back with her arms with any one arm extended. That way, even if she rolls over, she will turn on the side that has her arm extended and wont completely flip as the extended arm will play a barrier.
Another important point is that each baby hit developmental milestones at their own pace. It may take longer for your baby to push up on her arm or lift her head. Or even longer to figure out how to roll back on the stomach. It’s absolutely alright. Just give her enough tummy time and opportunities to play around.
Baby’s begun rolling, what next?
Rolling over is the first of many milestones that your baby will cross. As her neck and shoulder muscles get stronger, and she begins to support her head, she will sit up. Initially she’ll need some help but soon without assistance. Then the crawling and later stand up by herself. Once she’s learnt how to do these two, walking is just around the corner, and within the blink of an eye, you’ll find her running up to you. In case you’re concerned about the timelines of your little one’s developmental milestones, you can always consult the pediatrician. The first year is full of many firsts, enjoy these moments and make the most of it!