Q: My 7 month old seemed to skip the rolling over phase. Should I be concerned?

Tags: rolling over skip phase normal

Leslie F.
Andover, MA

A: Mine didn't roll over either

Whew! I am glad to hear you say that because my son totally skipped the rolling over phase and started sitting up. I was assured by friends that it is completely normal, but none of their children skipped the rolling over phase, so I am glad to hear that we are experiencing this together.

Joseph Lancaster
Yonkers, NY

A: Yes, it is normal

Many babies skip the rolling over phase and go straight to sitting and crawling. If your child hasn't done any of these activities yet, I recommend lying on the floor next to him and rolling to show him how it's done. If he does roll over, it may frighten him so make sure that you are supportive and positive if it does happen. If you continue having issues with his motor skills and he shows no signs of sitting up, rolling over or crawling within the next month, I would contact your pediatrician.

Judy Converse MPH RD LD
Boulder, CO

A: Don't Roll Over on the Rolling Over

I work with special needs infants and children in my pediatric nutrition practice, and often talk with pediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists. Rolling over is an important neurodevelopmental milestone, just like crawling. If your baby is also struggling with other motor skills, like sitting up, holding head steady to eat, holding a cup or bottle, standing to sit and vice versa, climbing, cruising, or crawling, you might think about getting help from a pediatric OT. These are available for free through the federal Early Intervention Program. A trained therapist can come to your home and work with your baby on securing these important milestones, which help organize brain function, learning, and processing throughout life.

I meet too many parents who shrugged off early signs of developmental challenges and wish they hadn't. Check out resources on early sensory integration and motor skills for more info.