Your baby is still so young but watching them become more mobile day by day is truly fascinating - and a little scary! When they start to spend more time on their tummy, one baby milestone you might be curious about is when your baby will start rolling over.
As always, it's important to remember that all babies develop at their own pace and your child could start rolling over sooner or later than your mum-mate's babies.
When do babies start rolling over?
Generally, babies start the journey by rocking on their stomachs at around five months old. This is them starting to practice those all-important muscle movements that are required to roll over. Around this time you may notice your child reaching out for toys too.
Then between six and eight months, your baby will give rolling over a try. Most start by rolling from their tummy onto their back but once they've accomplished this, they'll quickly learn to roll over from front to back too. By eight months, your tot will most likely be rolling over easily.
As with tummy time, we recommend having a dedicated soft space for your baby to practice rolling over such as a blanket on the floor or a play mat. Your child should always be supervised.
Once they've started rolling over, next on their agenda will be starting to crawl! If you haven't already, it might be time to start considering baby proofing your home.
Helping your baby to start rolling over
There's nothing wrong with giving your little one some help with rolling over. Here are a few tips...
• Ensure your baby is getting plenty of tummy time as this will help them develop the strength needed to eventually roll over.
• Show your tot how it's done by gently helping them roll from side to side and then onto their back.
• Lie down on your tummy, in front of your baby, with some hand or finger puppets. Make up a little story and move the puppets from side to side, up and down, to encourage baby to hold their head up and move their head in all directions as they focus on their new friends. This helps with the natural progression of rolling over.
• Position yourself on one side of them to encourage them to roll on to that side of their body. Then move around to the other side, and repeat. Have their favourite toy ready to give to them once they've managed to roll over.
What if my baby doesn't start rolling over?
Babies hit milestones at different points and it's perfectly normal that some may take a bit longer than others so try not to worry. Remember, your health visitor will be keeping a close eye on your baby's development but if you're concerned, don't be afraid to have a chat with them.
About the author
Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.