When Did Your Little One Roll Over?

Updated on January 07, 2011
M.M. asks from Chicago, IL
15 answers

Hi ladies,
Just trying to guage what's "normal" - although I know all kids are different and the devleopment spectrum is huge.
This is more of just a survey.

My son rolled over at 4mos to the day.
My daughter, who is 5mos has yet to do it. And doens't seem interested in trying. She rolls to the side, but that's it. No flipping over.

Just curious about the spectrum here. My son was early on everything (crawled at 5mos, cruised at 7, walked at 9, etc...), so my expectations are off of the mark.

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

Tara rolled at 11 weeks 3 days old. Once for me, once for the daycare. Then she didn't do it again for a month.

Elise rolled over at 4 months to the day.

I have some daycare kids that do it early and some that do it late and in the end, by 2 yrs old, you can't tell who walked, crawled or rolled over when - it all evens out.

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J.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Wow, your son sure was crawling, cruising and walking early. Your baby should be able to roll from tummy to back by about 3 months of age. By 5-6 months old, she should learn to roll from back to tummy. 6-7 months she should be sitting up. Yes, all babies develop at different rates. She may skip rolling over but be able to sit up. That tells you she has the strength, but not the desire. However, you still need to let your pediatrician know if your child isn't meeting "normal" milestones.

I have 4 kids. Two of my kids hated tummy time and didn't meet "normal" milestones for rolling over, sitting, etc. As they got older, now 2 1/2 and 3, their delays became more pronounced. At 3 years old my son had the motor skills of a 13 month old. Both kids receive occupational therapy to help them catch up and increase their muscle coordination. I don't say this to scare you but to let you know that muscle strength is important and can be helped. There is nothing "wrong" with my boys, they just need some extra help to develop that part of their little brains and bodies. I encourage you to talk to your pediatrician. Best Wishes!

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

Wow, some amazing kids out there...
anyway, it really has to do with sooooooooo many things! Is she responding to you? is she doing other things that show engagement, interest, and growth? then that is great.
Any concerns, yes yes please talk to your pediatrician. If there are further concerns (like after 6 or 7 months maybe and she isn't attempting it) then you can always get an occupational therapy eval from Early Intervention (you need a script from your doc).
Here is something I spent about 30 seconds reading, but at first glance it looks about right on
http://arabiaenglish.babycenter.com/baby/developmentalmil...
all the best to you!

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

My son did it consistently at 4 months, my daughter did it once at 4 1/2 months and then not again for another month and it really seemed like she just didn't want to. My son was walking with some talking by 12 months and my daughter didn't walk until between 15 & 16 months and she still only has a couple words at 18 months! She gets things done in her own way and own time, as I'm sure is the case for you daughter. No worries!

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

All 3 of mine rolled over by 2 months back & forth by 3 months

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L.K.

answers from Austin on

My first did everything at the average pace. My second and third both rolled over both ways by 4 weeks. Crawled at 3 months, sat at 5 months and walked at 7 months. You just want to make sure the baby is reaching their milestones at an appropriate time. Some babies are early, some are average and some are a little bit later.

Lisa

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L.W.

answers from Chicago on

Every child is so different...my son didn't roll over until after he was 6 months and didn't walk until AFTER he turned 18 months. My daughter rolled over at 3 months and had been pulling herself up and standing since six months...it's amazing how different they are...if you're worried you can always speak with your pediatrician at your daughter's next well check. I was concerned with my son and we had early intervention come in to evaluate him...wouldn't you know it..between the appointment with the doctor and EI coming in he started walking. Everyone has their own schedule but it's always good to calm your concerns by speaking with your doctor!

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A.O.

answers from Chicago on

There is definitely a big range of "normal" when talking about child development. Your son was certainly on the fast track. Your daughter may just be "interested" in other things, ie....babbling or using her hands to play. In deciding if there is a concern, look at your daughter's over all tone and strength. While lying on her back, she should be able to raise her legs up to play with her feet, and you should see her tummy muscles contracting. She also should be lifting (flexing her neck) her head off the ground when you hold her hands to pull her up to sitting. Because parents are now told to have their babies sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS, it is very important to make sure your daughter has several opportunities a day to play in prone on her tummy. Tummy time is very important at 4 months and beyond because it prepares a babies muscles for pushing up, crawling, walking and even fine motor skills. ( upper extremity weight bearing in prone is so important). A child should learn to enjoy playing on their tummy, so make sure you provide her with toys/activities that she can look at or touch in that position. If she likes prone then she will be more motivated to roll over to get there.
If your daughter seems weak or a little "floppy" or really resists playing in prone, you should talk to your pediatrician. They may recommend a Physical Therapy evaluation to see if she would benefit from a home program or short series of PT sessions to strengthen her muscles. Good Luck!

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T.B.

answers from Chicago on

I think my sons were more like 6 months. They were relatively late with everything, but now at 11 and 7, they're good athletes and great students, so they caught up fine. If it helps to know, they didn't walk until 15 months or so, and didn't talk much until 2. Unfortunately even potty training was late--after 3-1/2! It was like they studied everything first, so by the time they did it, they had it down pretty well. Check with your doctor at her next appointment if you are concerned, but rolling after 5 months might be ok. Just be sure to give her plenty of tummy time and play time, and she'll get there. Good luck.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

No worries...My kids were all over the board. DD did this at 4 months. Sat independently at 6 months. Crawling 7-8 months, Standing 9-10 months walking independently at 13 months. My second DS needed PT for muscle tone and did not hit these milestones and walked independently until 18 months and therapy....Now at 3 can't keep up with him....My 3rd another DS has not progressed like his older sister but was like your 5 month old. He was 5-6 months before rolling front to back and vice versa. Almost 8 months sitting up unsupported. 9-10 months before crawling and was almost 11 months before pulling himself up to a standing position. He just turned a year old now and is finally starting to move his feet and scoot along furniture once he stands himself up. My son was close to 6 months when able to roll from front to back and vice versa. I think you're fine!!! But if your daughter can't do this by 6 months I would discuss this with your doctor at her check-up

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest son was 4 months but my youngest son was 2 1/2 months.

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B.P.

answers from New York on

Although there are normal ranges, it has a lot to do with personality and interest. My son rolled from his stomach to his back at 2 months. This was because he didn't like being on his stomach. I don't think he rolled from stomach to back until like 7 or 8 months! He would go for it and go almost all the way then realize he didn't like it and roll back. He sat unassisted at 6 months but was happy to sit and reach for things or skooch around on his bottom to reach what he wanted. He didn't crawl well until almost 10 months. Your son was VERY early on things. Is your daughter doing other things that she is supposed to? I wouldn't worry unless there are other things that she is not doing.

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A.L.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest son was slower than my younger on milestones. He was 5 to 6 months before he rolled over. He was so heavy he couldn't get his body over. Mom's pay attention to all those details, and I stressed about them all. And I know since your oldest did everything quick you tend to think that the second will as well. I have found sometimes that the second is later because they have mom and a sibling to do things for them and they are carried a lot so they take a little longer. She'll do it before you know it.

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter rolled from back to tummy at 2 months, tummy to back at 4 months, crawled at 6, walked at 9, and is climbing onto the table and into the sink at 11 months. Be grateful yours is staying put for a little while longer :)

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Rolled from back to tummy at 5-1/2 months. Rolled from tummy to back 3 minutes later (while we were out of town and he was sleeping on a mat, not in a crib and we figured he was pretty much immobile). Remember, there is no advantage to you to early crawling and walking. Babies who stay where they are put are much easier. So enjoy this time.

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