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| |    Rolling Over by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. "The age when babies roll over, sit up, creep, stand up, or walk is more variable than the age when they get control of their head or arms. A lot depends on temperament and weight. A wiry, energetic baby is in a great rush to get moving. A plump, placid one may be willing to wait until later." - Benjamin Spock, Baby and Child Care, seventh edition Rolling Rolling from front to back is simpler than from back to front, and usually comes first. Some babies arch their heads back, then flip over to their backs, but this really isn't true, controlled rolling. Actual rolling involves tucking one arm and shoulder under, then pushing off with the other arm and leg. Rolling back to front takes even more coordination of arms and legs. Some perfectly healthy babies don't manage this until well into month seven or eight. You can help a child become comfortable with rolling by putting their arms and legs into position, then gently moving their bodies through the roll. Some babies think this is a wonderful game, but if your baby seems surprised or uncomfortable, go slow and easy or try again another day. The role of rolling Rolling showcases your baby's growing strength and coordination. As babies roll, they also build up the muscles that they'll need for sitting, crawling, and many other activities. Still, many perfectly healthy babies show little interest in rolling. They seem happy to be wherever they are. I would be concerned if a child were six or seven months old and had not ever rolled over, but only if there were other signs of delayed motor development. Falls from changing tables and beds "A baby, by the time he first tries to roll over, shouldn't be left unguarded on a [changing] table for even as long as it takes you to turn your back, unless he is secured with a strap. By the time he can actually roll over, anywhere from two to six months, it is not safe to leave him even in the middle of an adult's bed. It is amazing how fast such a baby can reach the edge, and many do fall from an adult bed to the floor, which makes a parent feel very guilty. " - Benjamin Spock, Baby and Child Care, seventh edition) Almost every baby takes such a tumble at one point or another. As Dr. Spock pointed out, if a baby has never fallen off a bed, it probably means that his parents have been watching him too closely, which is also not such a good thing. (You should not automatically interpret this to mean that you've been watching your infant too closely if she hasn't ever fallen off a bed, but instead make sure that you are allowing her safe ways to experiment with her newly developed abilities.)
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