4 month old and not rolling to side

[busymama77]

I've noticed that DS#2 doesn't show much interest in rolling from his back to his side. We practiced this over the weekend and he didn't really care much for it. Maybe he's too young? He was very much interested in his footsies which he discovered a couple of days ago. The little guy can almost put his big toe in to his mouth!!

[mt_gooseberry]

I'm no expert, but I have studied a lot of child development both in school and as a mom, and I would say don't worry about it yet. It is less important at what age milestones are reached than that milestones are reached progressively. Has your LO reached other milestones, generally in the normal order and generally at the typical age (eye contact, tracking, reaching)? Also, child development, like the Pirate's Code, is more about GUIDELINES than absolutes.
Rolling is "normally" done first starting from the belly position. Also, 4 months is the age given for when babies "generally" START to learn how to roll, not necessarily when they roll over for the first time, even just to the side. My daughter first rolled from belly to back at 4.5 months, then back to belly about a week later, but she didn't do a whole lot of trying or practicing first, it just happened rather spontaneously one day, and then she went almost a week before she did it again.
Finally, take it from someone who, as a baby themselves, didn't walk until 16 months (which is out of the accepted age range) but turned out (more or less ) normal: every baby develops at his or her own pace, and as long as they eventually hit their milestones, they should be A-OK! If your LO still hasn't rolled over by 5 or 6 months, I would just mention it to your pediatrician.

[Friendlee]

I'm in the early childhood field and I've always let parents know that they shouldn't worry because the range of normal really is so broad (excluding situations in which they really should worry, as in zero means of mobility at 12 months). I know this to be true through experience with lots of little ones as well as through my studies. However, when I had my own dd and she still wasn't rolling over at 7 MONTHS! I'll admit, I was worried. I got a video monitor and discovered that she WAS rolling from time to time, secretly in her crib, in the dark! But never in broad daylight. She is almost 9 months and still very rarely rolls, mostly only if it's on accident. The ped isn't worried and I guess, neither am I. Like the PP mentioned, she is progressing....she sits up (since 4 months), she can pull up a little, she even has cruised a few steps, she gets the motion of taking steps with her feet and will do that with guidance. I think she'd just been working harder on other cognitive abilities and is already signing a little bit and can gesture her understanding of things like, "birdie" "paci" "doggie" etc.

I would say to definitely be observant over the next 3 months and then see where your son is then. If there is still no rolling at that time, I'd try to schedule the 9month well baby visit a little earlier than later to ask about it, just because I'd be anxious to see what the doc says. And even then, I know they'd probably say it's not a huge concern as long as other areas are progressing.

Good luck and just keep up with rolling exercises and remain patient. I bet he'll come along very soon.

[busymama77]

Spoke way too soon!

My little guy turned 4 months on Saturday. Three days prior to this, he decided to show his mama how he can roll from his back to his tummy with NO PROBLEM!!! Once on his tummy, those little legs got to kicking - trying to crawl, really. I'm just not ready for him to be so mobile so soon!!!

[sunnygir1]

Oh, man. There was NOTHING like rolling from either of mine at 4 months...late bloomers, I guess. They are both developmentally on target and in good shape.

[aramat]

I agree it's likely not a big deal at all -- some babies just aren't interested in rolling. But look out for when he does get interested and diaper changes aren't so easy anymore!

[belltree]

Our little guy turned over at 4.5 months and walked at 7 months and 10days by himself across the apartment. He does not like rolling over, he does it if need be, but not even daily.

A lot of people don't even consider rolling over a true milestone anylonger, because it depends so much on the temperament of the child.

For other milestones, I suggest looking at the WHO milestone sheets.

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by aramat

I agree it's likely not a big deal at all -- some babies just aren't interested in rolling. But look out for when he does get interested and diaper changes aren't so easy anymore!

We're already there. He'll throw up his legs to get to his feet and then rolls on over. Scares the bejeebus out of me!

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

My DD never rolled. Not once. She still managed to walk at 13 months. If I put her on her tummy for "tummy time" (aka baby torture) she'd just lie there and scream to be rescued. A personality trait which continues to this day actually *sigh*.

DS rolls tummy to back now - so much for tummy time!