Baby Stopped Rolling Over: What To Do + When To Worry

The growth of a newborn involves numerous milestones, including rolling over. In fact, according to many experts, rolling over is one of the major milestones for a child and is considered the 1^st step toward crawling. 

However, as a parent, you might notice that your little one has suddenly stopped rolling over. So, the real question is, do you have to get worried if your baby has stopped rolling over?

Well, you don’t have to worry as your baby might have stopped this action because he/she is trying to learn something new. If that’s not the case, you can encourage your child to roll over through a different approach. You can help them roll over again with their toys or re-introduce tummy time.

Rolling over is an important milestone for babies as well as parents. So, if your little one has stopped doing it out of the blue, you should not ignore it. Keep reading to learn everything about babies and their rolling-over behavior.

Should You Be Worried If Your Baby Stopped Rolling Over?

First of all, let’s make it clear that if your baby is not rolling over, you don’t have to imagine the worst. It doesn’t mean your child has stopped developing proper or something even worse. 

In fact, most babies stop this action because they want to learn something completely different. So, if your little one is developing a new behavior, he/she might abandon this one. However, it’s not always a good thing either. If you do not see any new motor skills or your child has stopped babbling or eating, you do have to be worried and visit your pediatrician.

Keep in mind that no two babies are the same. While one child is more active, the other one might be a little lazy and fail to reach their milestone at the expected time. It all depends on their interests.

If your child has mastered the rolling over skill, they might just abandon it because they are not feeling like it anymore. So, you should not always imagine the worst and try to encourage your baby to roll over again.

When Should a Baby Start Rolling Over?

Most babies start to roll over on their own. However, others might need a little encouragement and motivation. The most important thing is to remember that every human being is different. We all have unique skills, gifts, abilities, and potential.

Due to these behavioral differences, there are no rock-solid answers to when a baby should start rolling over. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most babies start to roll over at the age of seven months old. However, it isn’t a concrete fact. So, if your child is not rolling over at the age of seven months, you should not get worried.

It’s better to give your child some time to develop major milestones on their own. If a baby learns how to roll over independently, they won’t forget it and will reach other milestones on their own. As a result, it’s a possibility that your child will become a pro at rolling over and crawling before they turn one year old.

However, if your kid did master this behavior but stopped it for some reason, you can simply encourage them to do it again. There are numerous ways to encourage a kid to try rolling over.   

Baby Stopped Rolling Over? 7 Ways to Encourage Your Little One to Try It Again

A baby rolling over her tummy is one of the most adorable sights you can ever encounter. 

Once your little one gets six months old, their arm and neck muscles will become stronger. As a result, they will be able to roll over from their tummy to their back. At this milestone, they will start to “exercise” to roll over and crawl.

It’s noteworthy to mention that the main purpose of this article is not to make you worried. Instead, with this article, you will be able to learn how you can encourage and boost your child’s overdue developmental milestones.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

1. Your baby needs more tummy time

For rolling over, tummy time is the most important. This approach with help your kid develop strong core muscles. It will also allow your little one to develop more strength in their neck, shoulder, and back, making it easy to roll over from back to front and vice versa.

For this method, your whole family should try to move to the floor. If you have tummy time with your kid, they will spend more time laying on top of you. Once you add enough tummy time to their daily schedule, your child will surely start to roll over again. 

Most kids might not like tummy time. In that case, you should lay down with them to accompany them.

2. Try to avoid baby equipment

Nowadays, parents use numerous baby equipment to position their child, including bouncers, swings, car seats, and more. A baby’s equipment might be the reason why your kid has stopped rolling over.

If your child spends most of her time in baby gear, they won’t be able to roll over from front to back. As a result, they will forget this action. Therefore, you should avoid baby equipment if your child is not rolling over anymore. Keep your kid on the floor and give them enough tummy time to adopt this behavior again.

Keep in mind that if your child has been spending most of their time in baby gear, they might get a little afraid to roll over. So, you should give them some time to get this milestone once again.

3. Side Lying Position

Sometimes children require both encouragement and help to reach a milestone.

If your child is afraid to roll over, they will need some physical help to overcome this fear. For this purpose, you will need to offer a comfortable and secure laying position, such as laying on their side. Put your baby on the tummy, whether right or left side. 

If you see that your little one is trying quite hard to roll over, but everything is in vain, you should give them a gentle push. However, make sure the surface is not that hard and pull them back immediately. 

Keep in mind that your child needs to believe that they rolled over all by themselves. It will motivate them to develop a new skill and eliminate all their fears.

4. Place a Few Toys in Front of Your Baby

Most pediatricians also recommend turning the tummy time into playtime.

Use your baby’s favorite toys to motivate them to roll over. For this approach, select a non-toxic, good mat and put it on the floor. Afterward, surround your child with their favorite toys and observe them.

We recommend the whole family participate in this activity. This is because the more fun your child has, the more they will be encouraged to explore and move around. You can also use colorful storybooks and treats to get your baby’s attention.

5. Stop Swaddling Your Baby

Most people think swaddling a baby is a good thing. However, this couldn’t be any far from the truth. You should not swaddle your child in clothing because it can lead to SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Once your baby starts to move around, you should immediately stop swaddling them. This is because this action can increase the chances of suffocation that can easily set the death bed for your little one. 

If your child rolls over from front to back at night, they might not be able to roll back to front, which can easily lead to SIDS.

6. Praise Your Little One Even After He Fails to Roll Over

As a responsible parent, your job is to encourage your child no matter what.

If your little one is unable to roll over, you should not be harsh on them or give up. Instead, praise your child and keep motivating them.

If you keep encouraging your kid, they will get happy and continue trying to make you proud!

7. Dress Your Baby in a Onesie Only

When you put your child on your tummy, make sure they are only in a onesie. 

If your baby is dressed in a onesie, they will feel comfortable. Plus, these clothes will make them easy to move around and roll over. 

If you don’t have a onesie, you can also put your child on their tummy naked. Just make sure the surface is not hurting your child in any way.

Final Thoughts

We hope you have understood why your baby has stopped rolling over. Generally, you don’t have to worry about it because your child is likely learning some new skills. 

However, if that’s not the case, you should try to encourage your kid to roll over again. You can offer them more tummy time or use their favorite toys. Once your kid starts to roll over, make sure you are not swaddling them because it can lead to SIDS!