Roll Over!!
May 9, 2007
If you are a regular reader of my blog (or a friend or family member who talks to me regularly), then you’ll know that Xander’s lack of interest in rolling has been a source of frustration for me. When he was 3 months old, I was all ready for it. When he passed 4 months and still refused, I was a little concerned. At 6 months when he continued to fuss and cry when on his belly, and still wouldn’t roll on his own, I started to worry. Our doctor allieviated most of my concerns – Xander was on target for every other developmental milestone, and according to him, some babies skip rolling over, and sometimes even crawling.
So, I mostly stopped worrying, and didn’t focus so much on it while playing with Xander. Then yesterday Xander rolled over all by himself! He was lying on his back on the floor and we were playing with some of his toys – he saw a toy he wanted over to his side (so I dangled it out of his reach), and he rolled over to get it! I was so surprised, and so excited for him 
Once he’s on his belly he can push up and get into a crawling position, but his muscles aren’t strong enough to hold him up there very long, and he still really doesn’t enjoy being on his stomach, so it doesn’t take long before he gets frustrated, then upset, and then really angry if we don’t pick him up.
Unfortunately Zach wasn’t home for this initial roll over, but Xander did show off his new accomplishment this morning for Zach, so that was nice. I suppose it won’t be long now before Xander is getting into everything, and I imagine that the word “no” will soon become a household staple…
Yeah Xander!!! Soon he will be crawling and walking!
it is just insane. he is getting so big so fast!!!!
Sara, I am so happy for you and Xander. As I had mentioned before, your tummy time troubles was what initially drew me to your blog. My Emily still hates being on her tummy and I still worry that she will not develop right or end up with a flat head! Reading of Xander’s accomplishments always makes me feel better that at 3 months old Emily has not done some of these things. Thank goodness for other mommies.
Congrats again!
Mary B.
I have a daughter who is now 5 1/2 months old and has a g-tube inserted in her tummy because of reflux and a bottle aversion. She is not rolling over and it really worries me – she is 25 weeks tomorrow and my son who is now 2 y 4 m rolled over at 19 weeks already. I know you shouldnt compare but at what stage do i say this is now a serious issue?
Hi Amanda, Xander didn’t roll over until about 7 months, and our doctor wasn’t worried about him – he was sitting well, and meeting other developmental milestones. It sounds like your daughter has already had more challenges than some babies in her life, so even though it’s hard, try not to worry too much about her, and appreciate the things that she can do. Good luck – and please keep us posted!
Hi, I have a 8 1/2 month old boy who will not roll over. He rolled over one time when he was about 4 months and did it 2 times when he was 7 months. He get very close to rolling over but does not make it. I am very frusterated and concerned but my dr says its okay. I am very upset with all this and am thinking that he has some other bigger problem.
Hi Mom8months – I can understand why your doctor is saying not to worry, because some kids don’t roll over at all – they skip that milestone all together. If your son is doing everything else he should be developmentally, then I imagine your doctor isn’t worried. However, as a mom, sometimes we have a 6th sense that something might be wrong, and until someone can show us conclusively that we are worrying for nothing, then we continue to worry and lose sleep, and just generally be upset about the whole thing. If you really think something is wrong, then you should push the issue. Ask your doctor to refer you to a developmental expert to evaluate your son – an evaluation won’t hurt, it’ll just be some observation time and perhaps some questions for you, and if at the end of the day everything is fine, at least you’ll sleep better. And if not, then at least you’ll know and will have hopefully caught whatever it is early and resolve it quickly – good luck!
hi there.. i happened to chance upon ur post when I was googling for articles on why my baby hasn’t rolled over. I’m getting very worried as my baby is coming to 6.5 months old and has no interest in rolling over at all. My next appt with the PD is end March by which he wants to put her through a brain ultrasound! Needless to say, I’m appalled at this and as the day draws nearer I can feel myself getting more & more desperate. I’m at a loss now, on one hand I really do not want my baby to be put through unnecessary tests but on the other hand, what if there’s really a medical problem.
Hi! I came upon your blog while searching for info on rolling over. My daughter will be 8 months old in 10 days and still doesn’t roll over. She did it twice at
Hi! I came upon your blog while searching for info on rolling over. My daughter will be 8 months old in 10 days and still doesn’t roll over. She did it twice at 4 months and then once at about 6 months. She doesn’t show much interest in rolling over, although she goes through spurts where she will attempt it. She gets close, but just can’t completely do it. We do lots of tummmy time, but when she gets tired she will just lay her head down and scream. Her doctor told me to leave her crying like that for 10 minutes and that should encourage her to do it. I’ve tried that and she just lays down and gives up. She sits up very well, body surfs while on her tummy, and can do a push up. This whole rolling over thing just really has me nervous though!
Hi Mama2Ainslie – it is nerve wracking when your baby won’t cooperate with a developmental milestone like that, isn’t it? My pediatrician never worried about the rolling thing. He was satisfied with Xander’s development otherwise, and according to him, some babies skip rolling and crawling and head straight for standing and walking. It sounds to me like Ainslie might be one of those babies who will just skip that milestone… I would never encourage you to go against your doctor’s advice, but I think that unless you’re worried about other things, Ainslie will be just fine and walking before you know it!
How do i even say this. My daughter was 8 weeks early, she was born at 32 weeks and she is now 22 months. She can only turn from her back to her tummy and tummy to back but has not started the rolling thing, she doesn’t crawl yet, she stands but that’s only when supported and hardly stands straight. She’s on a therapy now. But i’m still wondering if there’s something else that could be wrong and if she will still crawl.