When should a baby roll over?

Early in life, babies are developing so fast that we moms have to watch for a new milestone almost every week. Here are some facts that you should know about the rolling over milestone for babies, and when it generally happens.

Most babies roll from front to back at about three months of age.

In general, babies learn to roll from their bellies to their backs first. This is easier and requires less coordination. In some cases, a baby might learn to roll from back to belly first. Most babies conquer this milestone some time between two and three months of age, although some healthy tots may take a few weeks longer than their same-age peers. The first time your baby flips over, he might be startled or even upset. Try to reassure him and encourage him to keep rolling-- it helps to exercise the important muscles used in crawling and walking.

Expect your little one to roll from back to front at about five months of age.

Most babies learn how to roll from their backs to their bellies at around the same time that they learn to sit with assistance-- between four and six months of age. During this stage, your baby may start deliberately using rolling to get around as an early precursor to crawling. Some babies simply don't enjoy rolling over and won't use it much as a mode of transportation. By the time your baby is six months old, she'll likely be capable of rolling well in either direction, according to BabyCenter.

The roll-over age has been getting higher. The "back to sleep" campaign, which has saved thousands of innocent lives by directing parents to place babies on their backs (rather than bellies) to sleep, has also altered child development. Now that most babies don't push themselves up on their arms and legs when they wake up, they get less exercise of their gross motor muscles and tend to roll over later than previous generations. So, while your mother-in-law might insist that her children were rolling over far earlier than her grandchildren, it's important to remember that advances in childhood safety have affected our expectations of children.

You can encourage your baby's ability to roll over.

Make sure that your little one gets plenty of tummy time so that she can exercise the muscles in her arms and legs. This will enable her to learn how to roll over, and it will also help to teach her other skills like lunging, scooting and crawling. Try using a bright-colored toy, mirror, or noise-maker to encourage your little one's attempts at movement and exploration. If your baby isn't eager to roll, don't sweat it too much-- she'll learn to roll over when her mind and body are both ready.

 Seek expert help if you're concerned. In general, there's no reason to be worried about a baby who is slow to roll over. However, BabyCenter notes that babies who still haven't rolled over at all by seven months of age should be evaluated by a pediatrician. Your baby's primary care provider can evaluate her for symptoms of hip problems, muscular problems or neurological issues that might be hindering her motor development. In some cases, she may need physical therapy or another clinical treatment to enable her to reach these key milestones. As always, talk to an expert any time you're concerned about your baby's health.