Both the mom and dad are so excited on getting their bundle of joy that they start wondering when the baby will have control over its head, when the baby will roll over, though they know that they are unnecessarily worrying about it. Each baby needs support under his head and neck, for at least the first two months. A 6 to 8 week healthy and strong baby is able to raise his head slightly while lying on his back. While carrying the baby on your shoulder, it can be noticed that he has got little control over his head and can hold up the head shakily, at least for a few minutes. This is the time when child development will slowly pick pace and your baby will try to roll over on side.
When do Babies Start to Roll Over
The average age of babies to roll over is 3 months. When the baby is about three months old, he will use his arms for support and will lift his head high, when placed on stomach. This mini-pushup exercise strengthens the muscles that are used to roll over. "Around three months" is the simple answer to the question "when do babies roll over on side". Rolling over is one of the important developmental milestones in the baby's life.
If the question, "when do babies roll over from stomach to back" is bothering you, the answer is the same, "three months". But it should be borne in mind that the time taken to learn the skill of rolling over may be different for every baby. When placed on back, the baby will amaze you and himself, the first time he rolls over on its side. It is easier for babies to flip from front to back first, but doing it the other way is perfectly normal and equally possible. Your baby will naturally develop his leg, neck, back, and arm muscles while learning to roll over. Once the baby starts rolling over on side, he will try to flip from back to front or front to back. The question, "when do babies roll over both ways" will not haunt you as the baby will soon demonstrate his skills. At 5 months your baby will be strong enough to lift his head high easily, perform push-up exercises on his arms, and raise his back to lift his chest off the ground. It's a pleasure to watch the baby swaying on his stomach, kicking his legs, and swimming with his arms. All these exercises help strengthen the muscles and are required for quick rolling over in both directions. By the time he's about 6 months old, he will be able to roll over both ways (stomach to back and back to stomach). By the end of the seventh month, the baby will effortlessly roll over both ways.
Motivation and Encouragement
You can encourage your baby to develop new skills through play. You may lie down next to him on one side and encourage him to roll over to get closer to you. If you notice that the baby is trying to roll over, you may wiggle a toy or clap next to the side he is about to roll to. Applauding and smiling will motivate him to learn new skills. Some babies develop skills slowly, there is nothing to worry about this. Rolling over is really fun, but you need to take all the baby safety precautions. Never leave your baby alone and unattended on a bed or table or any other elevated surface. While trying to roll over, the baby may fall down. You should always keep your hand on him during diaper changes, as a measure of baby care. His first rolling-over experience should be enjoyable for him and for you too, it should not result in a serious injury.
It is a fact that most babies roll over within six months but it is also possible that your baby skips 'rolling over' altogether and moves on to sitting and lunging. Every baby is a unique baby. Let your baby develop at his own pace. You can always consult the pediatrician if you think your baby is lagging behind. He is the best person to evaluate your baby's development.