Content
The baby should start trying to roll between the 4th and 5th months, and by the end of the 5th month he should be able to do this fully, turning from side to side, lying on his stomach and without help of parents or support.
If this does not happen, the pediatrician who accompanies the child must be informed, so that it can be checked if there is any type of developmental delay, or if it is just a lack of stimulation.
Some babies are already able to make this movement at the beginning of 3 months of life, and there is no problem in the more accelerated development. This usually occurs when the baby has also started to lift his head back earlier and has learned to control it.
Play to encourage baby to roll
The main factor for the baby to develop motor coordination well is the stimulus it receives from parents and family, in addition to the contact that is offered through different objects, shapes and textures.
Some games that parents can use to encourage their baby to turn themselves are:
1. Use your favorite toy
A tip to help the baby turn around on his own is to put him on his back and leave his favorite toy beside him, in a way that the baby can see the object when turning his head, but cannot reach it.
As the movement of grabbing with the hands will not be enough, the baby will be stimulated to roll, thus strengthening the muscles of the upper back and hips, which will also be very important for the baby to be able to sit in the 6th month.
See how to do this and other techniques using toys to help the baby's development, with the physiotherapist Marcelle Pinheiro:
2. Call the baby
Leaving the baby aside at arm's length, and calling him smiling and clapping, is also a tactic that, in the form of a joke, helps you learn how to turn. See other games to help the baby's development.
During this game it is important to place a support on the baby's back to prevent it from rolling over to the opposite side, preventing falls.
3. Use a stereo
During the 4th and 5th month of life, the baby begins to become interested in the sounds he hears, mainly sounds from nature or animals.
In order for this to be used in the baby's motor development and help him to turn, parents must leave the baby on his stomach beforehand, and put on a stereo, which is not too loud and not too big, of the side. Curiosity about where the sound is coming from will encourage the baby to turn and roll.
Necessary care
From the moment the baby learns to turn, care is needed to avoid accidents, such as not leaving him alone on beds, sofas, tables, or diaper changers, because the risk of falling is greater. See what first aid should be like if the baby falls.
It is still recommended not to leave objects that have points, are too hard or that can be sharp at least 3 meters from the child.
In addition, it is normal for the baby to learn to turn to one side first, and to have preference to always turn to this side, but gradually the muscles will become stronger and it will be easier to turn to the other side as well. However, it is necessary for parents and family members to always stimulate both sides, even helping the child to develop a sense of space.
What is the importance of stimulation?
Stimulation of the baby at this stage is very important for motor development, as it is after learning to roll, that the child will crawl to finally start crawling. Check out 4 ways to help your baby start crawling.
Turning and rolling is one of the signs that the baby is developing well, but for this to happen it is necessary that the previous phases have also been completed, such as being able to lift your head back when you are on your stomach. See other things the 3 month old baby should do.