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Development: Learning to roll.

Just as with the advice last week on sitting up, the strengthening of the head and neck muscles during tummy time is so helpful to develop the more advanced skills of rolling and sitting up.

Rolling usually begins before sitting after lots of tummy time. Around three months your baby may try a push-up type activity with their shoulders and chest raised off the ground- using their hands to push up. They may even rock up and down on their tummies.

At around four-six months babies will learn to roll from front to back and later from back to front. This will surprise you !

ACTIVITY - Once your baby has rolled, try lying down on a side, just out of reach and see if your baby will roll over to you, or place a toy to one side to see if this encourages your baby.

This new rolling skill will strengthen muscles for sitting so consider lots of fun toys you can tactfully place within sight but out of reach to promote lots of rolling.

Please note: Some babies do not roll and they go straight to sitting and crawling, this is normal for some children.

Sources: Ages and Stages/ CDC

Resources: http://archive.brookespublishing.com/documents/asq-activities.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html

Author: Abigail Laurie Registered Midwife and Registered Specialist Public Health Nurse, United Kingdom.