My Baby Hasn’t Rolled Over Yet. Should I Tell My Pediatrician?

After a couple months of tummy time, your infant should be becoming a lot more mobile. You might start to see them arching their neck to look around or grabbing for things in within reach. All of these smaller movements are helping them build up the strength they need to roll over.

Flipping over is such an exciting milestone because it prepares babies for sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking! But every baby develops on their own time, so it can be hard to predict when your little one will start to roll over. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies will start rolling over between 4 to 7 months old. That doesn’t mean you should panic if you’re little one isn’t rolling over within this window of time, but it may be time to chat with their pediatrician.

Keep reading to learn more about when babies start to roll over, what exercises help with development, and when it’s considered “late” or time to chat with your pediatrician.

When Do Babies Roll Over?

According to the AAP babies will start to roll over between 4 to 7 months old. “Most babies will roll over from back to belly before rolling from belly to back,” Ali Alhassani, MD, pediatrician and head of clinical at Summer Health tells POPSUGAR. “This is because when rolling from belly to back, the baby has gravity on their side, while rolling from back to belly requires more complex movements from the child including rocking, arching their back, and twisting their legs.”

Typically, babies will roll from tummy to back around three to four months and from back to tummy around four to six months. The first signs of rolling over include increased head control, arching of the back, and shifting body weight from one side to the other, according to Dr. Alhassani. You may also see them rocking on their stomach, swimming with their arms, and kicking or twisting their legs, according to Pampers.

How Can I Encourage My Baby to Roll Over?

Tummy time is a great exercise to help your baby gain the muscle they need in order to flip over by themselves. The best part? Dr. Alhassani says you can start from the day they’re born. Simply place your newborn on your chest or directly on the floor a few times a day and over time it will help build strength in their neck and back.

“To encourage your baby to roll over, parents can lie side by side with their baby on the floor and motivate them to raise their head by showing them a favorite toy or mirror, or by making noises,” he says. “They can also guide them gently how to do the motion.”

My Baby Still Hasn’t Rolled Over. When is Considered “Late”?

Every infant is different, but if your baby can’t roll from belly to back by six months age, it may be a good time to talk to a pediatrician. “Or if they used to be able to roll and then lost that ability, that’s another reason to speak to a pediatrician,” Dr. Alhassani adds.

Related: You Can Start Tummy Time Earlier Than You Might Think