How to Keep an Infant from Rolling Over in the Crib
Suddenly, one moment your baby is peacefully drifting to sleep and the next they’re wiggling and rolling onto their side or tummy in the crib. Though rolling is a thrilling developmental milestone, it can also be worrying for parents, particularly at bedtime. If you’ve been Googling “how to keep a baby from rolling over in the crib,” you’re not the only one. Once your little one becomes a more independent mover, the same question arises for many parents.
This blog will discuss how rolling over in sleep may occur, safe practice tips, and exercises to encourage proper rolling over during waking hours.
When Do Babies Start Rolling Over?
Rolling over Raja: Babies usually start to roll over between 4 to 7 months old. But each baby grows at their own pace, and babies can roll over both earlier and later than this window. The first big roll you may notice is tummy to back, which is meaningfully easier than back to belly. Both movements are exciting signals of increasing strength and coordination!
Related: What Your Baby’s Movements Are Trying to Tell You: When you see your baby begin to arch their back, prop themselves up on their arms or kick their legs, they’re signs of rolling that they’ll be able to do soon.
Is Rolling Over in the Crib Dangerous?
Rolling is a normal part of child development, but it can be scary to watch baby roll onto their side or stomach while sleeping. Parents are often concerned about a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The good news? By taking safe sleep practices, you can drastically reduce this risk. As noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), always lay your baby down on their back to sleep, make sure the crib is free from loose bedding or toys, and use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet.
When your baby begins to roll in their sleep, the reality is that continually rolling them back to their backs is not required. Instead, create a safe sleep environment and follow the important steps toward helping them roll back on their own.
How to Keep Baby Safe When They Start Rolling in the Crib
Here are practical tips to ensure your little one stays safe as they experiment with their newfound mobility:
1. Stop Swaddling
If your baby is beginning to show rolling signs, it’s the swaddling phase-out time. Swaddling can limit movement of the arms and legs, making it hard for your baby to shove themselves back if they land on their stomach.
Instead, you should transition to a sleep sack or wearable blanket, which gives your baby the ability to move freely while still all snuggled up warm. Many sleep sacks are specifically designed to be adaptable without getting tangled up or too hot.
2. Use a Firm Mattress
A firm crib mattress is crucial for safe sleep. The mattress should fit snugly within the crib, without any gaps, and hold its shape under your baby’s weight. Avoid adding soft bedding, such as pillows or blankets, which could increase suffocation risks.
3. Practice Tummy Time During the Day
Tummy time isn’t just a great bonding activity for you and your baby; it’s also essential for developing the muscle strength and coordination they need to roll both ways. Start with short sessions of supervised tummy time (2-3 minutes) and gradually increase the duration as your baby becomes more accustomed to it.
Regular tummy time will build their upper body strength and help them learn to roll back if they get stuck.
4. Offer Rolling Practice During Playtime
Interactive Playtime The more you encourage your baby to practice rolling the better. Put a favorite toy just out of their reach to encourage them to twist and roll towards it. You can also help them roll from tummy to back to demonstrate this motion.
These baby rolling over exercises can help to build confidence and enable reinforcement of baby’s ability to reposition themselves independently within the crib.
5. Avoid Positioning Devices
It might be tempting to use sleep positioners or wedges to prevent your infant from rolling, but the AAP strongly advises against them. These devices can pose suffocation hazards and are not recommended for use in cribs.
6. Keep the Crib Free from Clutter
Make sure your baby’s crib meets the bare is best guideline from pediatric experts. Remove any bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, or crib bumpers, as these can pose suffocation or entrapment risks.
7. Monitor Sleep Patterns
Pay attention to your baby’s sleep behavior on a nightly basis. If your little one seems to favor rolling to one side, ensure that they have uncluttered space to roll back again. Regular monitoring will help you adapt their sleep environment as their skills progress.
Exercises and Activities to Help Your Baby Roll Over
Encouraging your baby to practice rolling not only supports their physical development but also builds the skills they need to reposition themselves safely in the crib. Here are some fun and effective ways to help your baby learn to roll:
Tummy Time Play
Place your baby on their tummy on a blanket and interact with them using toys or mirrors. This will strengthen their neck, shoulders, arms, and torso, all of which are crucial for rolling.
Side-Lying Play
Lay your baby on their side and place a toy slightly above them. This will encourage stretching, reaching, and eventual rolling.
Guided Rolls
Help your baby roll from back to tummy and then back again, very gently and help them learn to shift their weight. Reward their efforts with you own smiling and encouragement.
If you have an infant who can roll onto its side but not back yet or an infant who can roll from front to back but not back to front yet, these will improve that range of motion and help them to master rolling in all directions.
When Should You Be Concerned?
If your baby hasn’t started rolling over by 7 months, or if he or she is having trouble developing the strength needed for this milestone, it’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. All babies develop at their own rate, however, your healthcare professional can evaluate where they are and suggest what you might do next if necessary.
Help Your Baby Roll Safely and Enjoy the Milestone
Seeing your baby roll over for the first time is an exciting milestone that brings along a new series of challenges for parents. Through safe sleep practices, promoting supervised tummy time and a playful amount of exercise, you’ll help your baby conquer this milestone while keeping her safe in the “situation” crib.
Just keep in mind, development varies a bit for each child. Have fun with it, celebrate small wins and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. Armed with these tips, you’ll know how to protect your baby’s happiness and health as they continue to grow.
