當馬克遇上莎莉

 

After gaining head control and right before (or about the same time as) coming to grips with sitting on their own, most babies learn to roll over. This skill is pretty self-explanatory - babies who have mastered rolling over can flip from lying on their back to being on their tummy and vice versa. This is one of your baby's first steps in being able to move himself from place to place and is often motivated by a desire to grab an elusive toy or just get a little closer to you. 

When it develops 

Some babies can flip themselves from front to back as early as three months, but most need the strong neck and arm muscles they'll have at about five or six months to flip the other way - from back to front. 

How it develops 

At about three months, when he's placed on his stomach your baby will lift his head and shoulders high, using his arms for support. This mini-pushup helps him strengthen the muscles he'll use to roll over. At this point he may amaze you (and himself!) by flipping from his back to his front, or vice versa. (While babies often flip from front to back first, doing it the other way is perfectly normal too.)

At five months your baby will probably be able to lift his head, push up on his arms, arch his back to lift his chest off the ground, and possibly rock on his stomach, kick his legs, and swim with his arms. All of these help his muscles continue to develop so that, by the time he's about six months old, he'll likely have learned to roll over in both directions.

Some babies never really roll over - they skip that milestone and move on to sitting and crawling - and some may adopt it as their primary mode of ground transportation. As long as your child continues to gain new skills and shows interest in getting around and exploring his environment, don't worry. 

What's next 

Most of the muscles babies use for rolling over are also used for sitting up independently and crawling. As your baby's neck, back, legs, and arms continue to get stronger over the next few months, he'll soon be able to sit on his own and scoot around the house. Most babies have mastered sitting up by six or seven months; crawling comes a little later. 

Your role 

You can encourage your baby's new skill through play. If you notice him rolling over spontaneously, wiggle a toy next to the side he customarily rolls to - see if he'll try again. Applaud his efforts and smile; he may need your reassurance since this new full-body flip can be alarming.

Rolling over is a milestone that will probably amuse you and fill you with awe at seeing your baby grow and discover new abilities. Of course, while rolling over is fun for him, it could wrack a few nerves for you. After about three months, it's best to keep a hand on him during nappy changes, and never leave him unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface. 

When to be concerned 

If your baby hasn't figured out how to flip one way or the other by the time he's about six months old and isn't showing any interest in getting around by any other means, bring it up the next time you talk to your doctor or health visitor. Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others - and some babies never really take to rolling over - but if your child hasn't moved on to sitting and trying to scoot or crawl instead, ask your doctor about it. Keep in mind that premature babies may reach this and other milestones later than their peers.