Rolling over is a significant milestone in your baby’s development, and it’s exciting to witness your little one gain new skills. But when do babies roll over, how does it happen, and how can you keep your baby safe? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and offer tips to help your baby reach this milestone.

When Do Babies Roll Over?

Some newborns will roll onto one side to sleep in their first few days, but most babies seem to lose the ability to roll onto their sides independently within the first month. Rolling from tummy to back typically happens at around four months of age, and by six months old, most babies have mastered not only the stomach-to-back roll but also the reverse back-to-stomach maneuver.

How Does Rolling Over Happen?

With growing strength in their arms, back, and neck, babies begin to discover new ways of moving their bodies. Rolling over happens as a result of your baby’s mini push-ups during tummy time. As your baby’s upper body strength and muscles develop, they will use their arms to propel themselves up and over from the belly-down position to their back. Your baby may even demonstrate this ability as early as three months old.

How Can You Help Your Baby Roll Over?

Tummy time is essential to help your baby build the strength in their back, neck, and arms needed to roll over. Start tummy time as early as the first week, laying your infant face-down across your lap for a few minutes during alert wakeful periods. Help your baby work their way up to 15 to 20 minutes on their tummy every day, always under your watchful eye.

If your baby is not fond of tummy time, start with shorter sessions of one to five minutes and gradually increase the duration. An activity mat with stimulating toys can be great motivation for helping your baby learn to roll over. Try placing some “belly bait” nearby so they can reach for it, which will help them build arm strength and muscle, and may also result in a side roll.

Practicing a gentle roll from side to side and then onto their back lets you show your baby how it’s done. Getting down on the floor with them to show off a few rolling maneuvers yourself is also beneficial.

How Can You Keep Your Baby Safe During Rolling?

It’s essential to keep your baby safe on the changing table and in other places where all those exciting new moves that come with this big milestone could result in a fall or other hazard. Always keep an eye on your baby during tummy time and ensure they are on a blanket or mat that will cushion any bumps.

What Should You Do If Your Baby Rolls Over in Their Sleep?

Once your baby starts rolling from belly to back and from back to belly, they may start rolling over in their crib at night, too. This is not a cause for concern, although you should continue to put your baby to sleep on their back, even if they don’t stay in that position all night.

Because your little one has developed the strength and mobility to roll onto their tummy, they’re also likely to sense trouble when they’re sleeping, which means they’re less likely to become trapped in a position where their breathing is compromised.

After six months of age, they’re also past the high-risk stage for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which peaks when babies are between two and four months before tapering off. If you’re worried about your baby rolling over to sleep on their stomach, you might try laying your little one down in their crib on their back or side with one of their arms extended. That way, if they roll, it’s more likely to be onto the side with their arm out in front of their chest, making it less likely