Baby milestones - rolling

Rolling is a useful way of getting around or reaching something interesting before babies learn to sit, crawl and walk.

Once they get the hang of it they can cover pretty good distances at quite a speed, and nappy changes can become more of a challenge as they attempt to get away.

By around 11 weeks, most babies will probably be able to roll from their back to their side.  They start by kicking their legs up and over towards their heads in a rocking motion, and as they get stronger they naturally land on one side.

Or they could roll from front to side first – from their tummies using their arms to lift their head and shoulders, flipping over to one side once they have the muscle-power.  Whichever way comes first, by six months most will be happily rolling over in both directions.

How you can help:

  • Gently helping them along by making sure their arms and legs are in the right position, and not getting in the way.
  • Placing toys just out of reach.
  • Giving them plenty of tummy time so they can build up the necessary strength.

More milestones

Sitting

Crawling

Walking

 

Comments

Submitted by shaseldin on Mon, 28/11/2011 - 11:37.
My little boy rolled over from his tummy onto his back at 8 week old, now he cant stop doing it! haha, every time i give him tummy time ... he just rolls over!!
Submitted by rachellouisexx on Wed, 16/11/2011 - 14:05.
my little girl is 5months in 7days and only rolls either on to her side or from her belly to her back she hasnt mastered rolling all the way yet :/ she is more interested in trying to sit up and playing with her toys.. i got told babies have to roll before they can do anything else is this true?? as my girl can sit unaided for about 10secs or so but only if i put her in the upright position..
Submitted by mamayets on Wed, 16/11/2011 - 10:28.
Wow reading all this makes me feel we are so behind. I have a little girl she is 14 weeks Old. I've just started giving her tummy time last week on a play mat that was given to her it has a cushion. At first her face was down and she was just sucking on the mat but she was able to raise her head up and lift herself up slightly. She rolls from side to side but nope we are not rolling over at all yet. But on the plus side she is cooing and baby talking a lot and once in front of the TV in her rocker she is happy watching Garfield and friends. Will keep trying tummy time and see how she is developing
Submitted by Tinkyegg on Thu, 27/10/2011 - 09:55.
I'm glad to hear that my baby not the only one whos showing no signs of rolling, my sons 19wks And used to hate tummy time but Iv gradually built him up to enjoy little spouts. I began to worry when my friends baby who's 2wks younger rolled onto her side and all my Stan does is kick and lift his head! It's a reassurance to know his not on his own. I'm sure he'll get there! :)
Submitted by MamaKagz on Tue, 04/10/2011 - 23:13.
My baby is 15 weeks today and yesterday tuesday 04/10/11 she rolled from her tummy to her back on three different occasions!!! :-) im soooo proud of her!!!! shes already moving her legs around like wanting to crawl
Submitted by bookworm28 on Tue, 04/10/2011 - 08:39.
my baby boy has learnt to roll over from back to front he is only 15wks unfortunatly he hates tummy time as he suffers from gastric reflux which makes him sick constantly. reading all the blogs other babies roll from front to back so is my baby abnormal?
Submitted by Friell on Thu, 22/09/2011 - 09:54.
My little one rolled onto his side for the first time this week at 15wks, he has also rolled from back to front once. As many mums have stated he also hates tummy time and so I have to break it up into 5 minute sessions, I find placing a toy, mirror close by or laying with him helps entertain him.
Submitted by xxnicstarxx on Wed, 21/09/2011 - 15:22.
My LO has been rolling over since 13 weeks, although she only seems to enjoy rolling over her right side! lol. Now trying to encourage her to roll over her left side but she isn't so sure. One on her tummy that's when the frustration starts, she has really good head control and wants to move and can't quite figure out how to do it! Lets just say she has quite a temper! lol
Submitted by Shailereden on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 12:05.
My little boy is 13weeks and doesn't roll or grab toys the I put around him, I am getting worried but I seems happy to lay on his back and talk to him self and watch what ever goes on around him, what can I do to help him?
Submitted by humphrey71 on Tue, 23/08/2011 - 19:54.
My LO loves rolling over onto her tummy she is 18 weeks, she has done a little crawl once but has not tried since, iknow sounds silly, but i had taken her to aqua baby class, the day before and she throughly enjoyed it, slept through the night then did this little crawl the next morning, so proud
 

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