When Do Babies Roll Over? Ages, Signs and Safety Tips

Overview

Watching your baby discover how to move is an exciting part of their development. Rolling over is often one of the first ways babies learn to change position and explore the world around them.

Many babies begin rolling from their tummy to their back at around 3 to 5 months. Rolling from the back to the tummy often develops a little later, usually by 6 months. These ages are only a guide. Some babies roll earlier or later, and every baby develops at their own pace.

Rather than focusing on one exact age, look for steady progress in your baby’s strength, head control, reaching and ability to move both sides of their body.

At what age do babies roll over?

Babies often start rolling over during the first half of their first year.

Your baby may first roll from their tummy to their back. This can happen as they become stronger during tummy time and learn to shift their weight from one side to the other.

Rolling from the back to the tummy usually requires more strength and coordination. Your baby needs to turn their head, reach across their body, rotate their hips and move their weight onto one side before completing the roll.

Some babies will:

• Roll earlier or later than the general age ranges
• Roll in one direction before the other
• Roll once and then not do it again for several weeks
• Prefer one direction while they are learning
• Move in other ways before rolling regularly

If your baby was born prematurely, your GP or child and family health nurse may use their corrected age when looking at their development.

Try not to compare your baby too closely with other babies of the same age. Rolling is one part of your baby’s overall physical development, and progress can look different from one child to another.

Our guide to baby developmental milestones explains how rolling fits into your baby’s wider development.

When do babies roll from tummy to back?

Many babies begin rolling from their tummy to their back at around 3 to 5 months.

This direction may happen first because your baby is already pushing up, lifting their head and shifting their weight during tummy time. At first, the movement may seem accidental. Your baby might lean too far to one side and suddenly find themselves on their back.

As their strength and coordination improve, the movement usually becomes more deliberate.

It is also common for a baby to roll once and then not repeat it for some time. They may still be learning how the movement happened and need more practice before they can do it consistently.

When do babies roll from back to tummy?

Babies often begin rolling from their back to their tummy between around 5 and 7 months.

Rolling this way usually requires more coordinated movement. Your baby may need to:

• Turn their head towards something interesting
• Reach across their body
• Lift or swing one leg
• Rotate their hips
• Shift their weight onto their side
• Use their arms and core muscles to complete the movement

Before completing a full back-to-tummy roll, your baby may spend time rolling onto their side and then returning to their back.

Some babies learn to roll in both directions close together, while others take longer to master the second direction.

Signs your baby may be getting ready to roll

Before your baby rolls over, you may notice them practising some of the skills involved.

Signs your baby may be getting ready to roll include:

• Holding their head more steadily
• Pushing up on their forearms during tummy time
• Lifting their chest from the floor
• Turning their head towards sounds, faces or toys
• Reaching across their body
• Bringing their feet towards their hands or mouth
• Rocking from side to side
• Rolling onto one side
• Arching or twisting their body
• Becoming more active during floor play

Your baby does not need to show every sign before they roll. Development does not always follow the same order for every baby.

How to encourage your baby to roll over

All babies grow and develop at their own pace but giving them regular opportunities to move, play and build strength supports their development.

Offer regular tummy time

Tummy time helps strengthen the muscles in your baby’s neck, shoulders, arms, back and tummy. These muscles support movements such as rolling, sitting, crawling and eventually walking.

Place your baby on their tummy for short periods several times throughout the day. Stay nearby and supervise them at all times.

Give your baby time to play on the floor

A clean, firm and safe floor surface gives your baby room to kick, stretch, reach, turn and practise shifting their weight.

Try to balance time in prams, car seats, swings, bouncers and other equipment with supervised floor play.

Place toys slightly to one side

Place a favourite toy or safe mirror where your baby needs to turn their head and reach across their body to see or touch it.

This can encourage the weight shifting and rotation involved in rolling.

Keep the toy close enough that your baby remains interested rather than becoming frustrated.

Get down on the floor together

Your baby loves your face and voice!

Lie beside them, talk, sing or smile, and encourage them to turn towards you.

Encourage movement on both sides

Place toys on alternating sides of your baby to encourage them to turn and reach in both directions.

It is normal for babies to have preferences while learning but giving them opportunities to move both ways supports balanced development.

Follow your baby’s cues

Keep play sessions short and enjoyable. If your baby becomes tired, hungry, unsettled or turns away, take a break and try again later.

We recommend regular, age-appropriate play that follows your baby’s interests and gives them safe opportunities to move and explore.

What if my baby does not like tummy time?

Some babies find tummy time difficult at first. This is common, especially while they are still building head and neck strength.

Start with very short sessions and gradually increase the time as your baby becomes more comfortable.

You could try:

• Placing your baby on your chest while you lean back
• Lying your baby across your lap
• Putting a small, rolled towel beneath their chest for support
• Getting down at their eye level
• Talking, singing or making gentle sounds
• Placing a safe mirror or toy in front of them
• Trying tummy time after a sleep or nappy change
• Avoiding tummy time immediately after a large feed

Stop and try again later if your baby becomes tired or upset.

Tummy time should always be supervised. Babies should be placed on their backs for sleep.

What rolling means for safe sleep

Rolling is an important developmental milestone, but it can also raise questions about safe sleep.

Continue placing your baby on their back at the beginning of every sleep. Sleeping on the back is the safest position for babies.

Your baby should sleep:

• On a firm, flat and well-fitting mattress
• In their own safe sleep space
• With their head and face uncovered
• Without pillows, cot bumpers, toys, doonas or loose bedding
• In a smoke-free environment

Once your baby can roll independently in both directions, you do not need to wake them to turn them onto their back. If they can only roll one way, gently return them to their back whenever you notice them on their side or tummy. Always place them on their back at the start of every sleep, and move them from a bassinet to a safe cot when they show signs of rolling.

Do not use pillows, wedges or sleep positioners to stop your baby rolling.

Read the Red Nose guidance on rolling and safe sleep.

When should I stop wrapping my baby?

Stop wrapping as soon as your baby shows signs of rolling, or reaches 3 months of age, whichever comes first.

You do not need to wait until your baby completes their first full roll. Signs such as twisting, rolling onto their side or making repeated attempts to turn may mean it is time to stop.

A wrapped baby may not be able to use their arms to move or reposition themselves if they roll onto their side or tummy.

When you stop wrapping:

• Keep both arms free; do not continue with one arm wrapped once rolling signs appear
• Use an appropriately fitted sleeping bag with the arms free if needed
• Keep your baby’s head and face uncovered
• Follow the sleeping bag manufacturer’s sizing and dressing advice

Do not use a wrap and sleeping bag together.

See Red Nose advice on when to stop wrapping.

Read our guide to wrapping your baby for more information about wrapping and when to stop.

Can newborns roll over?

Newborn babies do not usually roll over intentionally.

Some newborns may appear to roll onto their side because their body is still naturally curled after birth. Reflexes, head position or the way their weight shifts may also cause them to move partly onto their side.

This is different from deliberate developmental rolling.

Continue following safe sleep guidance from birth, even if your newborn appears to move onto their side.

Speak with your GP or child and family health nurse if your newborn is repeatedly rolling, their movements seem unusual, or you are concerned about their development.

Baby-proofing once your baby starts rolling

Rolling can begin unexpectedly. A baby who has never rolled before may suddenly move across a bed, couch or change table.

It is a good idea to make safety changes before your baby starts rolling regularly.

During nappy changes

• Keep one hand on your baby whenever possible
• Have nappies, wipes and clothing within reach before you begin
• Never leave your baby unattended on a change table
• Consider changing your baby on a mat on the floor

During play

• Use a clean and safe floor surface
• Remove small objects and choking hazards
• Keep cords, hot drinks and sharp objects out of reach
• Check that toys are suitable for your baby’s age

Around the home

• Never leave your baby unattended on a bed, couch or other raised surface
• Secure heavy furniture and televisions
• Keep blind and curtain cords out of reach
• Lock away medicines, chemicals and cleaning products
• Check the floor regularly for small objects

Once babies become mobile, they can often travel farther and faster than parents expect.

What if my baby is not rolling over?

Babies develop at different rates, and not rolling at the same age as another baby does not necessarily mean something is wrong.

Look at your baby’s overall development rather than focusing on rolling alone.

Consider whether your baby is:

• Building head and neck control
• Moving both arms and both legs
• Using both sides of their body
• Reaching for toys or familiar people
• Pushing up during tummy time
• Turning their head towards sounds or faces
• Becoming stronger and more coordinated over time
• Showing interest in moving and exploring

Some babies focus on other skills before rolling regularly.

Speak with your GP or child and family health nurse if your child is not rolling by 6 months, or if you have any other concerns. You do not need to wait until a particular age before asking for advice.

When to seek advice

It is a good idea to speak with a GP, paediatrician or child and family health nurse if:

• Your baby seems unusually stiff or floppy
• They consistently use one side of their body more than the other
• They have difficulty holding their head steady by 4 months
• They are not becoming stronger or more mobile over time
• They are not reaching for toys or bringing their hands together by 4 months
• Their movements appear uneven or uncomfortable
• They have lost a movement or skill they previously had
• You have any concerns about their development

Milestones are general guides, and a health professional can look at your baby’s development as a whole.

We encourage parents to seek advice from a GP or child and family health nurse whenever they have concerns about their baby’s development.

Need advice or support?

Every baby develops at their own pace, and it is normal to have questions about movement and milestones.

If you are worried about your baby’s development, speak with your GP or child and family health nurse. Karitane is also here to provide practical, evidence-based and judgement-free parenting support.