7 Month Old Not Rolling

D.
My 16 month old only rolled over a few times and then I decided to teach him to sit up to he completely lost interest in rolling over. I knew he could do it because he had a few times but didn't worry too much about it. My neighbors kids go to childcare outside of the home and she said that the teacher/caretaker told her that once babies learn to sit up they have to interest in rolling over anymore.

M.

Every baby is different. Dont worry if the dr isnt worried. My son didnt roll until after he crawled and that was 9 months. Take advantage of it!!! When he does start rolling and scooting he will be into everything. He may never roll but it is nothing to worry about. If the dr thought there was something wrong with his muscles she would have told you.

Hi D.,

I'm inclined to say your doctor is right - as long as he is healthy and happy, don't worry. :) My son is just barely 9 months old and just started crawling a week ago. Two days after that, he started pulled himself up and cruising. Two days after that, he cut 4 teeth. It seemed liked nothing was happening and now everything is. I know kids that are 4 months old and crawling, and they had me nervous until I realized my son was just taking his own sweet time. It'll happen - when he's good and ready for it to. :)

If you have any concerns I would talk to his doctor again about having an evaluation done. We had the same concerns with our son and had him evaluated. He was able to get help. Most states have a free 1st Step Program for birth - 3 year olds.

D., My son did the exact same thing and he really never did roll. All of his motor skills were on the upper age range for normal. He only crawled one day and then walked (at 15 months). He didn't pull up until 12 months but the doctor kept saying it was okay. I have a child development background so I was worried. However he did tell me not to use any baby equipment most of which inhibits motor skills for kids. As I look back I think it was related to his personalizty and risk taking. He never did wild stuff like alot of boys.

He was a real talker though and talked early and a lot. I always feel like kids are either more movers or talkers. I am not sure if research shows that.

Give him lots of "tummy time" which strengthens his trunk and neck muscles. Go on the Children's Memorial web site under Occupational Therapy and I think they have some good info.

I didn't give my son enough tummy time I know that. He hated it and so I didn't do that. A.

My first born did not do his milestones on time and it seemed as if everyone told me everything would be okay, including the doctor. My advice is to watch for other things like babbling and be persistent with your doc. I had to be pushy, but finally he gave me a referral to speech and language and OT assessments. He more than qualified at 1.5 years old. We had lots of early intervention - pretty scary - they told us he might be borderline autistic. His support continued (though it diminished) through preschool and early elementary school. I firmly believe without all that extra help from experts our son might not be the same boy he is today. Turns out he is not autistic, just was delayed and needed adults who know what the heck they are doing to step in. He is now a happy eight and a half year old who has "graduated" from all extra services. You can NEVER be too proactive for your child. That is something I have learned and strongly feel is important to share with other moms who are unsure. Good luck!

Hi D.,

I understand is hard for you not to worry because you are a first time mommy. If I would be you I would worry as well. My first daughter rolled over at 5 month. The second daughter didn't roll until she was 7 1/2 month. I thought it was very late. Don't worry, he will do it. Everybody is different. My little on walked at 11 month, even thought she rolled late.
Don't worry, you baby is completely fine.

E.

Hi D.. I say trust your instincts. As long as your son seems happy and healthy, try not to stress out too much. My first daughter (who is now 4) only rolled once or twice. It wasn't that she wasn't able to do it, she didn't want to do it. She also didn't walk until she was almost 17 months. She walked on her knees and the doctor told me that if she didn't start walking then she would have to recommend a specialist. Then one day, she just got up and started walking. I knew in my heart that she had the capability to do it, and she did. She just wanted to walk on her own schedule. When he feels like it, he will do it. I know that it is hard not to compare our children to others, but they are each special and will do things in their own time. And my daughter turned out wonderful....she has no developmental problems...but she still only does things when she feels like doing them....that includes listening to me! Cheer up, everything will be fine. Again, trust your instincts.

D. - Our 10 month old didn't roll from front to back until recently. He doesn't crawl and rarely gets himself on all fours, and when he's there he gets stuck and upset. But he cruises anywhere there's something to hold onto. Just an example of an atypical development. If your doctor doesn't think it indicates a developmental problem, your baby boy may just be atypical!

Seriously don't worry. My son never rolled over. He went straight to crawling at 8 months and then walking at 12 months. He is now an extremely smart and athletic kid at 2 years old. Your doctor is right...some just never do it. I was worried too, but now everything is fine!

If he's not fussing for you to roll him over, don't worry about it. All children are different. Make sure you exercise his arms and legs so they are strong enough. Babies can get weak like grownups. You can make it part of playtime. Sing "this is the way we bend our arms (ie. legs)bend our arms, bend our arms; this is the way we bend our arms so early in the morning-smile, laugh, tickle belly etc. then on to the next exercise.

Hi D.,
I just wanted to offer some encouragement. From my experience, what you are observing with your son could be completely normal. I am a mom of a 3 year old and a 9 month old. My first daughter did not roll from her tummy to back until 5 1/2 months old (that was her very first time!) and from her back to tummy until 6 1/2 months. Even though I observed her do that it still took a while before she was doing it regularly. Like you, I noticed many other babies doing much more than mine and was somewhat concerned. Our pediatrician was not worried at all and said there is a wide range for normal development. My baby did reach most of her milestones in the slower range of normal but over time I came to realize it was mostly personality and just the way she was rather than anything being wrong. By the time she was two (or maybe sooner) she could do everything just the same as any other child her age and she was actually well ahead in areas like talking and fine motor skills. Our second baby has been accomplishing things like rolling, crawling etc., in the early range of normal but I notice her fine motor skills are behind where her sister's were at this age. Each baby has their strengths and do things are various rates. I bet your little guy is just fine! The longer it takes for him to get mobile the better in some ways. I didn't realize how good I had it with my first baby until I started chasing the second one all over at an earlier age. =)

If you are really concerned call Early Intervention Illinois. They will evaluate your child for free. I had my son evaluated at 15 months and he is now receiving speech and physical therapy. I wish I would have called sooner...

My son is 10 months and can crawl and pull himself up to a standing position but still can't roll. I think it's ok! They just don't want to.

Is he sitting up yet? Once my daughters sat up they rarely rolled at all because they wanted to be sitting.

If other skills have also disappeared then you worry. But if he does it but just not often, then you are ok. Look at the whole picture, is he getting other skills he should like interacting more and grabbing at things, etc.?

N.

Hi D.,
My first son was rolling at 4 months. When my second son came along I expected the same thing but I waited and waited and waited--he didn't roll over until he was around 8 months. (I don't count the one time he did it on accident around 5 months.) He did it a few times around 8 months and then lost interest in it. He loved to sleep on his back and didn't really find a reason to roll over--EVER!! It sounds like your little guy is doing all the other great things developmentally so don't worry--every baby really is different. My two sons are as different as night and day developmentally and in their personalities. My second son (the non-roller) is actually far advanced in his physical skills so you just never know. :)

Enjoy your little one.
K.

D.-

I can completely understand what you are going thru! I went thru this with my second son - who didn't roll - and I was comparing him to his older sibling. It's hard not to listen to all of the other parents - or read in the milestones what they should or shouldn't be doing at a certain - but remember - if your child is hitting other milestones -but missing this one - he's doing well.

I did my best to overlook that "missing milestone" and by 9 months-he crawled - and was up walking very shortly after that. He finally rolled AFTER he started walking - and only started doing so when he fell - and rolled over to get back up.

So try to focus on the things that he IS accomplishing - continue to give him plenty of tummy -time - encourage activities that might get him to roll - but try not to obsess - he will hit his goals in his own time -and may even beat others to some of the higher milestones...you never know...

Good luck -

P.

I had a similar issue with my daughter. Take your child to an early childhood intervention doctor just to be sure and check some milestones. Best wishes Nancy (mother of 4 and 7 yr. Old)