When Do Babies Roll Over? (And How To Encourage It)

Your baby’s first roll can catch you off guard, especially if they haven’t shown much interest in moving yet. While every baby’s motor development looks a little different, rolling over is one of the first major movement milestones.¹ Here, we will answer the question, “When do babies start rolling over?” both from belly to back and from back to belly.

We will also explore milestones that come before and after rolling, signs your baby may be getting close, how to encourage rolling safely, and what to do if you have concerns about development.

When Do Babies Roll Over?

Babies often begin rolling over around 4 to 6 months of age.^1,2 Typically, babies roll from belly to back first.² To roll from their bellies to their backs, gravity is on their side, so they can use the weight of their heads to tip themselves over.¹ Back-to-belly rolling may follow in one to two months.²

The order can vary. One study of infants in Hong Kong found that babies rolled from back to belly earlier, on average, than from belly to back.⁴ However, another study comparing infants before and after back-sleeping recommendations found no change in the timing or order of rolling.³

Related: Baby Milestones Month by Month

When Do Babies Roll From Belly to Back?

Infants may start rolling from their belly to their back around 4 months.¹ The CDC lists tummy-to-back rolling as a milestone most babies reach by 6 months.¹⁷

When Do Babies Roll From Back to Belly?

Many babies learn to roll from back to belly around 6 months, although the timing varies.^2,7 A study examining muscle use during rolling found that infants used several different movement patterns to roll from their backs to their bellies.⁵ Some babies learn this direction first.⁴

How Do Babies Learn To Roll?

Babies use their whole bodies to roll. They usually have a stationary limb to maintain balance and a moving limb to initiate the roll. Rolling gets faster as babies get better at identifying the most efficient way to do it.⁶ It teaches babies about gravity, balance, stability, and position. It also fosters muscle development for posture and eventually other movements like sitting, crawling, and walking.⁵

Signs Your Baby Is Getting Ready To Roll Over

A baby’s strength develops from their head down. So, signs that your little one is close to rolling include a strengthened neck, shoulders, and core.¹ You may notice these signs as your baby gets ready to roll:^1,2,5,7

• Rocking side to side or rolling onto their side
• Lifting their head in tummy time
• Lifting their chest in tummy time
• Propping themselves up on their arms in tummy time
• Reaching for toys in front of them while on their belly
• Bringing their knees to their chest when on their back

When To Talk to Your Pediatrician About Rolling

If your baby is not rolling from tummy to back by 6 months, or you have concerns about how they move, contact your pediatrician.¹⁷ The 4- and 6-month checkups are good opportunities to discuss development, but you do not need to wait for an appointment to raise a concern. If your baby loses a skill they previously had, such as rolling, contact their pediatrician promptly.^8,17

If you can, take a video of your baby to show the provider your concerns. Your pediatrician can view this and evaluate your baby. They may simply reassure you that your baby is on the right track or suggest exercises or referrals to experts for early intervention therapy.⁸

In the United States, you can also contact your state or territory’s early intervention program directly to request an evaluation. You do not need a doctor’s referral.⁹

Related: Developmental Milestones: Is My Child on Track?

How To Help Baby Roll Over

Naturally, you want to help your child roll because it’s new and exciting! Rolling demonstrates a purposeful, goal-oriented movement from your little one. It enables and encourages exploration and interaction with their environment in a new way. Rolling is as much cognitive as it is motor and requires full-body coordination and movement.⁵ 

To help get your baby rolling over, you need to give them the space, environment, and encouragement to do so. Here are some ways you can encourage rolling:

Tummy Time

Short sessions of tummy time while your baby is awake and supervised help them build the strength needed for rolling and crawling.^1,7 Being on their belly also gives them a chance to practice shifting their weight and rolling onto their back.⁷

Related: Benefits of Tummy Time for Newborns and Babies

Floor Time

Tummy time is not the only beneficial floor time for babies who are trying to roll. Time spent lying on their back on the floor also gives your baby room to move and practice rolling.¹⁰

Place your baby on the floor or another firm, flat surface. This gives them room to strengthen their muscles and explore their bodies’ capabilities.⁵ Research on inclined sleep products found increased abdominal muscle activity when babies were lying on their stomachs, which could contribute to fatigue.¹¹

Motivation

While your baby is on the floor, try placing toys, books, or other safe items to one side, just out of their reach. This may encourage them to reach with their arms and shift their weight enough to get them to roll over.²

Practice and Assistance

You can place your baby on their back on the floor and rock them side to side to get them used to the feeling of rolling. From tummy time, you can gently guide them into a roll to their back. Finally, try placing your baby on their side and see if they can complete the roll!⁷

Encouragement and Praise

Singing, cheering, and clapping are great forms of motivation and positive reinforcement. In a moment when your baby is close to rolling, encourage them. If they achieve a roll, celebrate! Your smiles and cheers can encourage your baby to keep practicing.⁷

What To Do If Your Baby Rolls Over in Their Sleep

Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll over, even if they have not completed a roll yet. Simply leaving their arms out is not enough if the swaddle still compresses their chest or body.¹²,¹⁸

If your baby rolls onto their stomach while sleeping but cannot roll back, you can reposition them onto their back. Once they can roll in both directions on their own, you can leave them in the position they reach themselves. Always place your baby on their back at the start of every nap and nighttime sleep.^12,20

Once my babies learned to roll, they always slept on their stomachs, but I still laid them down on their backs at the start of the night.

Related: When to Stop Swaddling Your Baby (and How to Transition)

Safety Tips for When Your Baby Is Rolling Over

Prepare your baby’s surroundings before their first roll. Their first attempts can happen when you least expect them! Their newfound mobility introduces several new dangers to be aware of. Here are some risks to consider and safety tips for how to prevent harm:

Falling

Do not leave your baby unsupervised on an elevated surface they could roll off of, such as a bed or changing table. If you’re using a changing table, use the safety strap and keep one hand on your baby at all times.^13,21 Prepare in advance by keeping all the supplies for a diaper change within your reach.¹³ I always ended up changing my daughters’ diapers on the floor!

Choking

Around the same time your baby starts rolling over, they will likely start to bring everything to their mouth.¹⁴ Therefore, ensure you clear their area (and any surrounding spaces they may be able to roll to) of all potential choking hazards. This includes small toys, tops and lids, hairbands and bows, balloons, coins, tools, batteries, and food items within reach of baby.¹⁵

Strangulation

Infants can get accidentally tangled in long ropes, cords, and strings. Keep them away from window blind cords, electronic wires, and other strangulation risks.¹²

Suffocation

Ensure that your baby’s sleep surface is firm and flat and that their bed is free of loose blankets, crib bumpers, and other soft, thick materials. Soft bedding can block your baby’s nose and mouth or trap exhaled air around their face, increasing the risk of suffocation. Keep the sleep space clear, with only a fitted sheet on the mattress.¹² If your baby needs an extra layer, use a properly fitted, nonweighted sleep sack that allows free movement and does not swaddle them.^12,18

Entrapment

Ensure your baby’s mattress fits snugly in their crib or bassinet, and only use a mattress designed for your specific crib so that they cannot roll off the mattress and get stuck between it and the edge of the crib. Crib slats should be no more than 2⅜ inches apart to prevent a baby’s body from fitting through the gaps.¹⁹ The crib should not have drop sides or any missing pieces or parts, even if it has been repaired.¹²

Baby Is Rolling Over: What Milestone Comes Next?

After babies start rolling, more movement milestones follow. Babies learn to sit with support and eventually on their own. They may also crawl on their hands and knees, stand with support, and walk with assistance before standing and walking independently. The timing and order vary, and some babies do not crawl on their hands and knees.¹⁶

Rolling is just the start of an exciting year of new movements and milestones with your baby. If your baby is not rolling yet, there are many ways to encourage rolling. And if you are still concerned, reach out to your pediatrician. As thrilling as all this movement is, make sure to babyproof your house, and always practice safe sleep.