Once your baby has some head control, they’ll start lifting their head and chest and positioning their body to roll over. They’ll eventually learn to flip over from tummy to back, and then from back to tummy.
When do babies roll over?
Your baby may be able to kick over from their tummy to their back as early as 3 to 4 months old. It usually takes them until about 5 or 6 months old to flip from back to tummy, though, because they need stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver. Some babies never roll over, or never roll over from back to tummy, but most do.
Patience, practice, and gentle encouragement can help your little one get rolling.
When they suddenly end up on their back, they may be just as surprised as you are! At first, rolling over can be a little scary for your baby – but they’ll soon be happy about their new skill.
Keeping your baby safe when rolling over
It’s important to babyproof your home if you haven’t already. You’d be surprised by the things a rolling baby can get their hands on.
To keep your baby safe once they’re near rolling:
- Secure your baby on the changing table with the safety strap and keep your hand on or right next to them.
- Never leave your baby unattended on an elevated surface (such as a bed).
- Check the floors and remove small items and potential choking hazards.
- Install safety gates to block your child’s access to stairways and other unsafe areas.
- Stop swaddling your baby at 2 months old, before they can roll over. (Rolling onto their tummy while swaddled can make it hard to breathe.
