When do babies roll over? A timeline and development guide

Rolling over is one of the first big infant gross motor milestones []— and one of the most exciting! One day, your baby stays precisely where you put them, and the next, they’re suddenly flipping from tummy to back or back to tummy like a tiny acrobat. Ahead, we’ll walk through when babies typically start rolling, the signs of physical readiness, what variation looks like, and how to keep things safe once your little one gets moving.

When do babies start rolling over?

Most babies start rolling over between 4 - 6 months, with plenty of normal variation []. Some babies will roll earlier, while others later. Rolling is a whole-body skill that depends on muscle strength, balance, and physical readiness, so it makes sense that babies don’t all do it at the same time.

Here’s what you’ll usually see:

• Earliest rolls: Often accidental tummy-to-back rolls driven by momentum.

• Tummy-to-back rolling (around 3 - 5 months): Usually, the first direction babies master.

• Back-to-tummy rolling (5 - 7 months): Requires greater core strength and coordination.

• Skill “pauses”: Some babies seem to “forget” tummy-to-back rolls after learning back-to-tummy, but it’ll come back.

• Wide range of normal: Every baby builds muscle strength and coordination at their own pace.

Rolling developmental timeline 

Typical age range and signs of rolling readiness

Babies develop this skill gradually through strengthening their muscles, experimenting with movement, and . When do infants start turning over? That depends on your baby’s temperament, muscle tone, and how much they practice.

These early movements show your baby’s brain and body are working together to prepare for rolling:

• A stronger, steadier head during

• Pushing up through the arms or shifting weight from side to side

• Lots of kicking, wriggling, or rotating the hips

• Reaching and twisting during play

• Longer stretches spent exploring on the floor

Lifting head and chest

By , many babies start lifting their head and chest during tummy time, holding their head at a 45- to 90-degree angle, and even pushing up through their elbows []. This strengthens the neck, shoulders, and upper body — all essential for rolling later on. Regular tummy time builds the foundational strength they’ll rely on for flipping over.

Rolling onto their side

Around , many babies learn to roll onto their side. In this exciting “in-between” stage, you might see your baby rocking, rotating, or shifting their weight as they figure out what their body can do. Rolling often begins with this playful side-leaning long before they fully commit to a complete roll.

Push-off movements

As babies get stronger, they begin using their arms and legs to help propel themselves. You may notice purposeful kicking, pushing with the feet, or sweeping the arms to shift momentum. These push-off movements usually emerge around 4 - 5 months old, signaling that your baby is getting ready for their first intentional roll [].

How to encourage rolling safely

You can absolutely support your baby as they learn to roll. Encouragement is always fantastic in your child’s life, just remember that rolling isn’t a milestone that can be forced. Rolling is a skill your baby discovers through practice, play, and repetition. If you’re wondering how to help your baby roll over, the best approach is to offer plenty of supervised , chances to explore different positions, and gentle guidance (like slowly rolling your baby into and out of tummy time).

Here are a few ways to safely support rolling:

• Keep daily floor time playful and pressure-free

• Safely roll your baby in and out of tummy time sessions, rather than picking them straight up or plopping them down from laying on their stomach 

• Build strength gradually through short, frequent tummy time sessions

• Gently guide your baby through new positions rather than pushing them into a roll

• Use toys and interaction to motivate movement

• Always supervise closely on a firm, safe surface

1. Tummy time sessions

is one of the easiest ways to help your baby build the muscles they’ll use to roll, especially their neck, shoulders, and core. Aim for several short sessions throughout the day, slowly increasing to at least 60 minutes total by 4 - 5 months. A little consistency goes a long way.

If your baby isn’t a huge fan, try:

• Placing a rolled towel under their chest for extra support

• Getting down on the floor face-to-face to keep them engaged and entertained

• Using a favorite toy to keep things interesting

• Gently rolling them into and out of tummy time so they get used to the motion

2. Gentle side-to-side play

Side-to-side play helps babies discover how to shift their weight — a key step toward rolling. Remember to keep your baby on a supervised, safe surface, and let them lead the pace.

These movements build body awareness and confidence:

• Gently roll your baby from side to side during play

• Encourage reaching for toys placed just out of reach

• Try ankle or wrist rattles to motivate reaching for toes while lying on their back

3. Interactive toys or activities

Toys can inspire movement. Place toys slightly out of reach so your baby naturally leans, shifts, or twists to get them. These small motions strengthen the muscles and coordination needed for rolling over, all while keeping play fun and engaging [].

Handling rolling during sleep

Babies tend to , and one of the biggest questions caregivers have is, “When do babies roll over in their sleep?” Rolling during sleep can begin as babies develop the strength and coordination for rolling overall — sometimes before caregivers notice consistent rolling during playtime. When the skill is still new, you may see frustration if your baby rolls onto their tummy and can’t get back. Try giving them a few minutes before stepping in, then gently reposition them if needed.

Once babies start showing signs of rolling, swaddling can increase safety risks. Many families choose to move to an arms-out sleep sack at this stage, which lowers those risks while still offering a snug, comforting feel.

If your baby can roll comfortably in both directions when awake, it’s generally OK to leave them sleeping on their stomach []. Before your baby can roll confidently in both directions, the AAP recommends placing them on their back to sleep []. If your baby rolls onto their tummy on their own, focus on maintaining a safe sleep environment rather than repeatedly repositioning them overnight. 

Safe sleep environment

As babies grow and become more mobile, the sleep environment plays a bigger role in safety. Items in the crib can increase the risk of suffocation or entrapment, while a clear, uncluttered space helps lower those risks and gives your baby room to move and practice new skills overnight. Here are some AAP safe sleep recommendations for babies under 12 months, designed to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related injuries:

• Remove loose bedding, pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals

• Always place your baby on their back for sleep

• If they can roll in both directions when awake and roll onto their stomach while sleeping, it’s generally OK to leave them there

When to stop swaddling

As babies begin to show signs of rolling, , even if rolling only shows up during daytime play. Early attempts to roll are often a sign that more movement during sleep is coming, too.

At this stage, many families choose to move away from swaddling and switch to an arms-out sleep sack or wearable blanket. This can lower risk while still giving babies the freedom to push up or reposition themselves if they roll. 

What if babies are late to roll over?

It’s normal for some babies to reach gross motor milestones later than others. Many roll slightly later, around 6 - 7 months, but plenty of healthy babies take a little longer []. Factors such as temperament, floor time, and muscle tone can all influence timing. A slower timeline doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong — and tracking things like tummy time on the Huckleberry app can help you notice gradual progress over time.

Monitoring development

The best way to track rolling progress is simply to watch your baby’s efforts and growing strength over time. Most land in the 4 - 6 month range, but the real goal is steady development — not hitting a milestone on a specific date.

Focus on these mini milestones that signify they’re gearing up to roll, rather than comparing your baby to others their age:

• Increasing strength during tummy time

• More attempts to shift weight or twist

• Curiosity about toys and movement

• Side-lying or rocking behaviors

When to consult a pediatrician

Most variations in the timeline are perfectly normal. That said, it’s wise to check in with your pediatrician if []:

• Your baby shows no attempts to roll (or shift and rock toward rolling) by 7 months

• You notice consistent muscle stiffness or unusual limpness

• Your baby struggles to lift their head during tummy time

• Rolling seems to regress alongside other skill losses

Early intervention can be helpful, but in most cases, a later rolling timeline is simply part of your baby’s unique development.

Takeaway

• When do babies typically roll over? Most begin rolling between 3 - 5 months old, though plenty develop this skill earlier or later.

• Rolling develops gradually through earlier milestones: Including tummy time, lifting the head and chest, and experimenting with side-lying.

• Milestone timing varies widely: Trust your baby’s pace and focus on steady progress rather than exact dates.

• Rolling can temporarily disrupt sleep: Babies may get frustrated if they can only roll one way, or get so excited about the new skill that they’d rather practice than snooze.