Babies usually develop the ability to roll over when they are around six or seven months old. However, in some babies, this ability can be seen as early as four months. Most babies usually start rolling from their stomach to their back and then from their back to their stomach. Interestingly, most of this initial rocking happens by accident.

Rolling from back to stomach is important because it allows the baby to assume the all-important “tummy” position. Babies tend to have the most difficulty when trying to roll from their backs to their stomachs. If you’re worried that your little one won’t be able to roll over while playing on the floor, there are activities you can do with your little one to encourage this skill.

Early rocking begins with good head control and a strong set of neck muscles to support the head. Babies learn to control their heads before they can control much of the rest of their bodies. Therefore, they use their heads as a lever when they first try to turn over.

If your baby is able to lift his head off the ground in “tummy time,” he’s ready to try rolling over. Here are some activities to help you get started:

tummy time

• Place your baby on his tummy with his palms down on a play mat or other soft surface.
• Place a small toy mirror on the floor in front of him so he can look at himself while lying on his stomach.
• In addition to a mirror, use small toys around him to encourage him to lift and turn his head from side to side while looking at the toys.
• If your baby can’t tolerate being on her tummy, try lying on the floor in front of her with your face close to hers and comfort her.
• Start with five to ten minutes on your stomach several times a day until you can spend about thirty minutes each day on your stomach.

Roll from side to stomach with assistance

• Place the baby on his side on the floor in front of you.
• Attract her attention with her favorite toy and place it out of her reach above her head. Encourage her to roll onto her side onto her stomach as she reaches for the toy.
• If he can’t roll to the side on his own, give him a little hip support or bend your knee in front of his body to help him complete the turn.
• Help the baby roll from both sides of his body onto his stomach at least five times on each side.

Rolling from back to stomach with assistance

• Lay the baby on his back with his feet toward your body.
• Hold a small, brightly colored toy or other interesting object about 12 inches in front of his face to get his attention.
• Once he is interested in the toy, lower him to the ground so he has to turn his head to keep looking at the toy.
• Place the toy on the floor just above her shoulder and encourage her to stretch her arms across her body and over her head to grab the toy.
• The baby must use his neck and shoulder muscles to reach across his body to the opposite shoulder to grasp the toy. For example, if you are reaching with your left hand, place the toy on your right shoulder.
• Allow the baby to complete the roll onto his stomach on his own if he is able to do so. If she can’t roll on her own, give her a little help by bending your knee and moving it in front of her body, or by giving her a little hip assistance.

Help your baby practice rolling from her back to her stomach, reaching with her left hand and then her right every day for a week or two before moving on to crawling.