To an adult, rolling seems like a relatively simple action — one you probably don’t think much about. But for a baby, learning to roll is a major achievement. This gross motor skill requires the careful coordination of multiple muscle groups that all have to grow strong enough to finally make it happen.
When do babies typically roll over?
“Most babies are able to roll from their tummy to their back when they’re about 6 months old,” says pediatrician Jacqueline Kaari, DO. “It’s an important milestone for them.”
When they’re born, babies don’t have enough core strength to roll on their own. They need time to strengthen those muscles as they develop and grow — and one of the key ways that happens is through regular baby workout sessions, aka tummy time.
“When babies spend time on their bellies, they learn to push up with their arms and gain the core strength that helps them eventually roll over from their tummy to their back,” Dr. Kaari explains.
The stages of learning to roll over
Like any big milestone, rolling is typically broken down into smaller achievements along the way. Most babies roll from tummy to back first because it’s a little easier for them to figure out. Soon after, they learn to roll from back to tummy.
Here’s how your child’s progression is likely to look.
- Onto their side. Before your baby completes a full back-to-tummy roll, they may first do a bit of a half-roll onto their side.“That’s usually how they start,” Dr. Kaari says. “A lot of times, when they first roll over, they’re really surprised because they didn’t realize it was going to happen!”
- From belly to back. All of that tummy time your baby has been doing is partially in service of learning to roll from their stomach onto their back. “Once they’re able to push up, they start to transition into the motion that helps them roll over,” Dr. Kaari says.
- From back to belly. This is the final stage of rolling, usually happening a bit later than belly-to-back — in part because it’s a little bit harder for them to do. “When they’re on their back, they can’t push up with their arms, which is an action that helps give them that stability to roll over,” Dr. Kaari explains. “So, usually belly-to-back happens first, and back-to-belly follows soon after.”
Once they put it all together, watch out: They may very well be on the move!
“Soon, they’ll start to be able to roll whenever they want to,” Dr. Kaari says. “They may even use it as a way to get around — just rolling to get to things they want to reach.”
Signs your baby is ready to roll over
Eager to know whether rolling is imminent? These signs can help clue you in to your baby’s progress.
- Rocking back and forth. Is your baby rocking their torso back and forth during tummy time, like they’re trying to figure out their balance? This is a sign that your baby is exploring what their body can do — and getting stronger in the process.
- “Swimming” on their tummy. During tummy time, watch for a swimming or Superman-type movement, where your baby keeps their belly on the floor but lifts their arms and legs. This is called the Landau reflex. “It shows that they’ve got control over their extremities,” Dr. Kaari says.
- Pushing up on their hands. As your baby starts pushing themselves up from tummy time, they’re demonstrating good head and neck control and learning to master the movements that will allow them to roll.
- Rolling onto their side. Those half-rolls let you know that the real thing is coming soon.
Should you encourage your baby to roll over?
The best and most important way to encourage your baby to roll is by making sure they get plenty of time on their belly. Research shows that tummy time is positively associated with the ability to roll and crawl.
“Tummy time is the most important thing,” Dr. Kaari emphasizes. “Spending time with them on the floor helps them develop and encourages them to continue achieving the milestones that will then help them to roll over.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting tummy time as soon as your baby is home from the hospital. And yes, they may hate it, which can be an unpleasant experience for them (and, thus, for you). But discontent can be a powerful motivator.
“Many babies don’t like tummy time,” Dr. Kaari acknowledges. “They’ll cry and start to get a little mad. But eventually, that gives them the incentive to learn to roll over.”
Safety concerns and precautions
Even if your baby can’t yet roll, act like they can — at least when it comes to safety measures. That means that tummy time should take place on a safe, flat surface, and never on a high-up place like a table or bed. Always stay with your baby and monitor them closely.
“It’s important not to leave them atop any surface, even when they’re very young, because they can wiggle off,” Dr. Kaari cautions. “You never know when they’re going to start to roll.”
As your baby grows and changes, it’s also normal to worry about whether they’re hitting developmental milestones on time — and that could include worrying that your baby isn’t yet rolling over by 6 months.
“If your baby doesn’t seem to be gaining the strength to roll — like if they’re not pushing themselves up or can’t hold their head up very well — that could indicate a bit of a physical delay, or they may just need a little extra support in those areas,” Dr. Kaari notes.
Talk to your pediatrician, she advises, and ask whether physical therapy could help get them on track to rolling and hitting other physical milestones. And remember: Six months is a general timeframe, but all babies are different.
“They all develop on their own timetable, some earlier and some later,” Dr. Kaari encourages. “But if you have any concerns, it’s always good to ask.”