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…
I don’t know how many other parents experience this, but Xander hates “tummy time”. Developmentally most places say he should be able to do a little baby push up, and maybe even roll over one way by now. But every time I put Xander onto his tummy, he just cries. He can lift his head, but mostly he just flails his arms, and cries, face down. I have tried everything I can think of - we’ve got different mats with interesting things on them - one even has water with some colorful animals in it. I’ve tried rolling up a receiving blanket and putting that under his chest so that his face isn’t planted into the ground. I’ve tried laying next to him so that he can see me, or putting him on a couch or chair and sitting underneath him so he can see me. I’ve tried flipping him over after diaper changes, but then the changing table that he used to love started to make him cry whenever I put him on it, so I stopped that. So, I’m out of ideas.
