All about rolling
Has your baby started to roll?
Let me tell you a little secret…the reason I am here today as a sleep coach is because of my experience with my first baby’s sleep. He did not have good sleep habits and at around 4 months, his sleep went from ok to bad to worse. He was waking up every hour rolling over in the crib, getting stuck, screaming and we were up ALL. NIGHT. LONG. It’s what really pushed me to sleep train.
So let’s get into, I will teach you all you need to know about this very exciting stage, what to expect and how to maneuver through this huge milestone in your baby’s life.
Here are some common questions about rolling that I get asked often:
When do babies start rolling?
Most babies start rolling between 3-4 months starting from tummy to back and by 5-6 months most of them can go from back to belly (of course like any baby development, there is a range and some can do this earlier, some later).
Can I teach my baby to roll?
Yes, you can certainly help encourage them along! Babies need lots of core and upper body strength to be able to master rolling, and in the months leading up to this huge milestone, your baby will be spending lots of time practicing using different muscles and movements to be able to do this.
Help teach your little one to roll by encouraging lots of tummy time during the day. Give them lots of time, space and freedom to move around to give them more practice.
Remember to remove any choking hazards from the floor and always make sure that they are in a safe space when put on the floor.
How do I know if my baby is getting ready to roll?
Here are a few ways to tell that your baby is getting ready to roll and just how they master this skill.
They will roll onto their side or shoulder.
They will straighten their arms and try to push up onto their hands.
They will try to push up onto their feet.
They will start kicking their feet a lot.
They will start scooting on their bellies.
They will start lifting and turning their head.
They’ll even stretch one foot across their belly to try and flip over.
“My baby keeps my up at night because of the rolling. Will it get better?”
Don’t panic. This. Is. So. Common.
Probably one of the most common sleep disturbances. When babies start to roll, their sleep is often disrupted and their sleep can go from good to bad or bad to worse and they often tend to wake up excessively throughout the night.
Here are some tips to help you get past this stage with a bit more ease and reassurance.
Tummy Time:
Don’t underestimate tummy time, guys! It’s a great way for them to practice and encourage baby to learn to roll over on their own. The more tummy time the better, as this will help strengthen core muscles, arms, neck muscles so that your baby can learn to push themselves up to roll over.
Give your baby plenty of supervised tummy time during waking hours. This not only helps strengthen their neck, back, and arm muscles but also encourages them to practice lifting their head and torso, which are important skills for rolling over.
Use Engaging Toys:
Place colorful and interesting toys just out of reach during tummy time to motivate your baby to reach and grasp for them.
Encourage Exploration:
Place your baby on a soft, flat surface, such as a play mat or carpet, and give them space to explore and move freely.
Offer Guidance:
As your baby starts to show signs of attempting to roll over, you can offer your guidance by placing your hand on their back or side to provide support and encouragement.
Create a Safe Environment:
Ensure that the area where your baby practices rolling over is safe and free from hazards.
Celebrate Milestones:
When your baby successfully rolls over for the first time, celebrate their achievement This positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivate them to continue exploring new movements and abilities.
Be Patient:
Remember that learning to roll over is a gradual process, and all babies develop at their own pace. Be patient, they will, get the hang of it and master the skill in due time.
Practice, practice, practice!
Practice during the day! Show your baby how to roll both ways, but gently manipulating their arms and legs in the right position for rolling.
Teach independent sleep.
If you haven’t done so already, don’t fret, but now is a good time to start teaching your baby independent sleep skills - you’re probably losing some sleep anyway if you’re reading this and they learn relatively quickly at this age.
Don’t rush in!
Give your baby some time to figure it out on his/her own when they flip over in the crib. You don’t want to rush in the second they flip over because it will quickly become a fun activity for them. They are plenty capable of finding a cozy spot if we let them.
“My baby keeps rolling onto his stomach, do I need to put him on his back?”
While it’s recommended to put your baby down on his/her back for the first year of life, it’s generally ok to leave them on their stomach once they start rolling into that position on their own. Always check with your pediatrician if you aren’t sure!
“What can I expect when my baby starts to roll?”
A whole new world of independence, mobility and exploration.
This milestone marks the start of your baby’s mobility, independence and curiosity. Once they master rolling over, they gain the ability to move from one position to another, which can lead to increased exploration and curiosity of their surroundings. They may start reaching for objects, pivoting to follow interesting sights or sounds, and eventually crawling or scooting to explore further.
It also marks the beginning of their exploration of spatial relationships and awareness and their understanding of cause and effect. Rolling over requires coordination, strength, and motor skills, so when a baby successfully rolls over for the first time, it's a significant achievement that reflects their developing physical abilities.
For parents, this milestone can be both exciting and challenging. It's a sign that your baby is growing and developing, but it also means you need to be more vigilant about baby-proofing your home and ensuring that your baby is safe as they become more mobile.
So that’s a wrap on rolling. See you in the next post!
