Is Your Baby Sitting But Not Rolling Over? Here’s Why
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Hello, proactive parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, a pediatric physical therapist, and I'm here to share some wisdom on a common question I receive: "Why is my baby sitting but not rolling over?"
If you've found yourself wondering this, you're in the right place. I've dedicated my career to assisting proactive parents like you in supporting your baby’s movement milestones with ease and confidence.
The journey from tummy time to sitting up is an exciting adventure, filled with significant milestones that each play a crucial role in your baby's growth. But what happens when your baby masters sitting up before conquering the art of rolling over?
Let's dive in together and try to figure out a few reasons why this might be.
The Significance of Rolling Over
Rolling over is a milestone that typically occurs between 3 to 6 months, most commonly between 4 to 6 months.
It's not just about moving from back to belly or vice versa; it's a complex coordination of muscles, balance, and movement across different planes. This skill is foundational, setting the stage for future movements and milestones, including crawling (in my opinion, the hardest of them all!).
If babies do not have all of the things they need in order to roll over, such as struggling with tummy time, not being introduced to sidelying play (don’t worry almost no one tells parents about it unless they have a pediatric PT as a friend or family member!), or they have tension in their body — they could be at risk of not rolling over OR not rolling over in all four directions.
The Transition to Sitting Up
Sitting up, usually achieved between 6-9 months, signifies a new level of independence and strength for your baby. Often babies enjoy being upright, so they are highly motivated to master this milestone.
Other things, like babies being in sit me ups or seated containers like bumbos can get babies extra comfortable in the sitting position, which can actually make them less inclined to do the hard work involved with rolling or other movement patterns compared to their peers who spent more time on the floor.
It’s recommended that babies only spend up to 15 minutes in a seated device or any container that does not allow a baby to move freely on the floor (pack n plays or baby gated areas don’t count since babies can roll or move freely).
Sitting, especially in the beginning involves a different set of skills and muscle groups than rolling. Babies are primarily focusing on stability and balance, trying to simply stay upright against gravity and their legs in ring sit act as kickstands to assist in keeping them up.
Since babies tend to enjoy being in an upright position, most of the time babies struggle more with rolling than they do learning to sit. Especially because rolling is a much more dynamic motion that requires flexibility, strength, and coordination.
The Milestone Mix-Up: Sitting Without Rolling
Many parents notice their babies hitting the sitting milestone without mastering rolling over, which typically precedes it. When this happens, parents might wonder if it’s okay that their babies skipped or did not fully master rolling. The truth is, babies who skip rolling are often struggling with an underlying blockage to their movement patterns.
Rolling is much harder than sitting 99% of the time for babies. It requires mobility, strength, coordination, and is honestly a beautiful symphony of movement when they can do it well. But because it requires them to master a lot of moving pieces and building blocks, instead of just staying upright, they tend to go toward the path of least resistance: sitting.
The Role of Movement Planes in Rolling
Rolling is not just about moving from point A to point B; it involves a sophisticated dance across multiple planes of movement. This complexity makes rolling a challenging milestone for some babies, especially if their movement in one or multiple planes is restricted.
Human movement, including your baby's developmental milestones, occurs across three primary planes:
Sagittal Plane: Involves forward and backward movements, like walking or going up/down stairs
Frontal/Coronal Plane: Encompasses side-to-side movements or the I’m a little teapot motion
Transverse Plane: This is where rotation happens and usually it requires one half of the body to move on another half of the body, which makes it even more complex
Rolling is unique because it predominantly occurs in the rotational (transverse) plane, making it more complex and challenging for some babies. Sitting for example, is in the sagittal plane mostly as babies often either go forward or backwards when they are first learning to sit.
As sitting evolves, it can incorporate all three planes, but if rolling was skipped or a struggle you might find that more advanced sitting skills can become impacted like going from sitting into all fours (which requires rotation like rolling!).
For the most comprehensive information on this topic, please watch the video below as it includes picture examples and walks you through how you would use the book Tummy Time and Learning to Roll as a resource to help babies struggling with rolling.
TIMESTAMPS:
1:30 what ages babies roll over
2:40 what plane of movement rolling occurs in (this is important to understand why babies would skip rolling)
3:50 why rotation is the hardest plane of movement
4:30 why sitting is easier than rolling
6:43 does the baby have a mobility block in the rotational plane? and how to use Tummy Time and Learning to Roll book to figure this out
9:45 Neck mobility screens and exercises
10:40 upper trunk mobility screen and exercises
11:40 weakness in upper trunk, chest, and arm/shoulders and why tummy time is important regardless of age
13:20 most important aspect if a baby is sitting but not rolling
15:00 why having the right amount of flexibility and strength is important for everyone including babies
17:33 container use considerations, what not to use, and what to do instead
19:23 happy sitters and future consequences and how rolling helps crawling
23:40 jump ahead past break
25:21 top four things you want to focus on if a baby is sitting but not rolling
ALTERNATIVE CONTAINER IDEAS:
Upseat
Ingenuity Seat
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
TOY IDEAS:
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
Identifying the Challenge: Mobility or Strength?
When a baby sits without rolling, it prompts us to investigate whether the challenge lies in mobility or strength.
Mobility First
Mobility issues often hinder the ability to roll over. A tight muscle or restricted movement in one direction can be enough to make rolling a challenge. I recommend starting with mobility screens to ensure your baby can move freely in all directions and if not, figure out which directions are more difficult and might be limiting their movement.
The mobility screens to look at include:
Neck flexibility
Arm flexibility
Upper Trunk flexibility
Lower Trunk flexibility
Upper and Lower Trunk combined flexibility
All mobility exercises recommended for rolling are linked in the mobility screen sections of the Tummy Time and Learning to Roll book, included in 240 color photographs and a free online video course that comes with the book.
Building Strength
After addressing mobility, the next step is building the strength necessary for rolling. This includes strengthening the neck, shoulders, back, and core muscles to support the complex movements involved in rolling over. Ensuring your baby has the muscular support to perform rolling movements is crucial. The book outlines exercises that target the necessary muscles for rolling, including the neck, shoulders, and core.
Typical exercises for babies to improve rolling include focusing on:
Core strength
Neck strength
Ability to tolerate Tummy Time
Sidelying Play
Arm strength
All strength exercises recommended for rolling are linked in the exercise sections of the book, included in 240 color photographs and a free online video course that comes with the book.
Practical Tips for Encouraging Rolling and Sitting
Let's put theory into practice with some actionable steps to support your baby's journey to rolling over:
1. Limit Container Use
Avoid over-reliance on devices that restrict movement, such as bouncers or seats. These can hinder the natural exploration and strengthening needed for rolling. Limit container use for maximum 15 minutes at a time up to 2 hours per day.
Floor play or “yes space,” play such as a baby gated area or pack n play can help babies explore safely. Floor play helps babies develop muscles more than containers, in fact, most containers restrict movement or promote non-optimal movement patterns.
2. Engage in Targeted Play
Incorporate exercises and play that encourage rotation and lateral movement. The strategies in my book, Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently are designed to be fun and engaging, making tummy time a more fun experience for both you and your baby.
3. Seek Professional Insight
If rolling remains elusive by six months, a consultation with a pediatric physical therapist can provide personalized guidance tailored to your baby's unique needs.
4. Embrace the Journey
Remember, every baby's developmental path is unique. Celebrating small victories and maintaining a positive, proactive approach will make the journey more rewarding.
Why Does It Matter?
Understanding and addressing the reasons behind a baby sitting but not rolling is more than just about hitting milestones.
It's about ensuring a well-rounded development that lays the groundwork for future skills like crawling, walking, and beyond. Moreover, it highlights the importance of movement diversity from an early age, encouraging a range of motions that promote strength, coordination, and balance.
If a baby does not roll in all four directions, they are limited by something and typically it can be easily solved with some strategic exercises.
If babies are blocked in rotation and skip rolling they are at risk of skipping crawling as getting in and out of sitting and into all fours requires rotation and side bending both motions that are utilized in rolling (and often the reasons why rolling is not occurring).
Babies who skip crawling are at risk for having difficulty with pre-academic skills such as reading and writing as the foundational movement patterns needed for those skills are first developed in the all fours position.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently.
The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones.
She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
As we've explored, sitting without rolling is a common scenario that, with the right strategies, can be addressed effectively. By understanding the intricacies of baby movement, focusing on mobility and strength, and applying targeted exercises, you can support your baby in mastering both sitting and rolling.
If you're navigating this developmental puzzle, know that you're not alone. I'm here to support you every step of the way, because I believe parents can influence how their children move when they are armed with knowledge, strategies, and a whole lot of heart.
Together, we can ensure your little one achieves their milestones with confidence and joy.
Thank you for joining me in this exploration of baby movement. Your dedication to your baby's development inspires me every day. Here's to many more milestones achieved and happy, healthy development for all our little ones!
Note: Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise regimen with your baby. This information is meant to inform and support, not replace, professional medical advice.
Trunk Stretching Exercises For Babies To Help Them With Rolling or Crawling
this blog contains affiliate links
Hi there, proactive parents! I'm Dr. Lauren Baker, your pediatric physical therapy bestie, dedicated to helping proactive parents like you support their babies in moving with confidence and ease.
Today, we're diving into an essential aspect of your baby's development: trunk rotation. Understanding and fostering this ability can significantly enhance your baby's progress towards milestones such as rolling, transitioning in and out of sitting, and even future activities like walking, running, and hopping.
Let's explore why trunk rotation is crucial and share two easy exercises you can do to improve it.
Why Trunk Rotation Matters
Trunk rotation refers to the ability of the top half of your child's body to move separately from the bottom half.
This skill is vital for:
Complex Movements: It enables actions like rolling, which require the upper body to rotate in one direction while the lower body rotates in the opposite direction.
Developmental Milestones: Trunk rotation is foundational for rolling over (both ways!), sitting independently, crawling, and the more complex motions your child will eventually tackle, like jumping and hopping.
Often we need flexibility before we are able to fully utilize the muscles that allow our bodies to move in the ways we want (or need) them to.
The Importance of Stretching in Trunk Rotation
A baby's trunk can move in three main planes:
Side to side — like the “I'm a little teapot” dance
Front and back — how we walk or go up stairs
Rotation — think of sitting in a chair and looking behind you
For functional movements, especially rolling, your baby needs to twist one part of their trunk in one direction while the other part remains in the opposite direction.
Ensuring your baby can move equally well in both directions is crucial for their overall mobility and the development of symmetrical movement patterns aka we need babies to move equally in both directions and the same on each side.
Before we go into the exercise, we need to talk about two methods that can get us to the same destination. Before filming this video I ONLY had heard about traditional stretching, where we bring a body part to feel the stretch, hold it for at least 30 seconds, and then do the opposite side so we’re balanced.
Since this video has been published, I have been additional trained in Total Motion Release Tots or TMR Tots.
TMR uses a different approach to increase motion. It shortens the muscle to relax it, then increases body awareness through bouncing or another option. This ONLY happens on the easy side.
So going forward, you can use either of these exercises by using Traditional Stretching by doing both sides OR TMR approach where you ONLY use one side, the easy side holding for 1-2 minutes, and follow up with 30 seconds to 1 minute of bouncing.
I personally prefer the TMR approach because it feels a little like magic, babies fight it less, relax into it more, and overall I get the best results when using this option.
That being said, traditional stretching is not WRONG – it’s simply a different route to get to the same destination, I just happen to find that the TMR approach has less traffic lights :)
Ideally, regardless of which option you use, you follow up with some tummy time, sidelying play, back play, or rolling/crawling/sitting practice.
For the most comprehensive information, it’s recommended to watch the full video below.
Exercise 1: Stretching Baby's Trunk Rotation on Their Back
This first exercise is designed to improve your baby's trunk rotation while they're lying on their back. It's a gentle way to stretch and promote flexibility.
How to Do It:
Lay your baby on their back.
Gently hold under one of your baby's knees and bring it across their body towards the opposite elbow. Keep your hand resting on their same side shoulder to note when it start to lift off the ground, this shows you when you have taken up all the available range. The baby is now in trunk in rotation.
Repeat on the other side, noting if one side feels tighter or more challenging to stretch than the other. Only go to the baby’s available range and not past.
You can use this position to increase range of motion in the following ways if a baby shows tightness in both directions (both shoulders are off the ground) or one (just one shoulder is off the ground more than the other).
Traditional Stretching: Like it says in the video, you can hold both of these positions for 30 seconds to 2 minutes based on the baby’s attention span and tolerance. This is going to increase range of motion by pulling on the shortened tissue and you might find that the baby resists the “tight” or difficult side. This can be frustrating for parents if a baby kicks out of a position while they are trying to improve their mobility. Always allow babies to move out of positions if they are uncomfortable and never push past the level of resistance present.
TMR Tots Approach: ONLY hold the baby in the easy direction for 1-2 minutes and follow up with 30 seconds to a minute of bouncing. This often gets quicker results (you can always check both directions before/after for a quick bit but only HOLD the EASY side) because the baby is able to easily relax into the easy direction thus allowing the muscles to relax and improves in overall flexibility on both sides.
It often feels a little bit odd when I teach it to parents, but I do really like this approach and use it almost exclusively.
Exercise 2: Holding Position for Trunk Rotation
My favorite exercise doesn't require dedicated time out of your day because it can be incorporated into how you hold your baby as you go about your routine. It's a fantastic way to stretch your baby's trunk rotation while engaging with them.
How to Perform:
Hold your baby with their back against your chest, keeping their trunk steady against your body.
Slide one hand between the FRONT of your baby's legs and then rest your hand on their bottom cheek that is the same side as your arm – if your left arm is holding the baby, your other hand is going to go through the front of their legs and rest your hand on their left buttock or vice versa.
Gently rotate your baby's pelvis by bringing your bottom elbow backwards/behind you to the level of their available range (as far as they easily go and not past). Make sure to keep their shoulders aligned with yours (their chest does not move and they should stay vertical).
The motion at your elbow creates a gentle twist in their trunk by moving their pelvis (think of like how you would twist out a wet wash cloth but instead of horizontal, it’s vertical).Walk around, allowing your baby to see the world from this new perspective. This not only helps with trunk rotation but also provides sensory stimulation.
Traditional Stretching: Like it says in the video, you can hold both of these positions for 30 seconds to 2 minutes based on the baby’s attention span and tolerance. This is going to increase range of motion by pulling on the shortened tissue and you might find that the baby resists the “tight” or difficult side. This can be frustrating for parents if a baby kicks out of a position while they are trying to improve their mobility. Always allow babies to move out of positions if they are uncomfortable and never push past the level of resistance present.
TMR Tots Approach: ONLY hold the baby in the easy direction for 1-2 minutes and follow up with 30 seconds to a minute of bouncing. This often gets quicker results (you can always check both directions before/after for a quick bit but only HOLD the EASY side) because the baby is able to easily relax into the easy direction thus allowing the muscles to relax and improves in overall flexibility on both sides.
**to determine the easy side, use the floor exercise (exercise #1) to determine which shoulder is closest to the ground.
Right shoulder closest to ground = Right Upper Trunk Rotation is Easy = YOUR RIGHT ARM goes around their chest.
Left shoulder closest to ground = LEFT Upper Trunk Rotation is Easy = YOUR LEFT ARM goes around their chest.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:48 what trunk rotation is needed for
1:07 why trunk rotation in babies is important and why they need to stretch in trunk rotation
3:00 exercise 1: how to stretch a baby in trunk rotation on their back
3:53 the easier way to stretch a baby in trunk rotation
4:43 exercise 2 holding position that helps stretch a baby in trunk rotation
6:00 this philosophy is different than traditional stretching and is called TMR (total motion release) for this type of release please see video here: Total Motion Release Technique for more explanations
TOY IDEAS:
Best Toys for Babies Learning to Roll
Best Toys for Babies
PT Approved Equipment/Containers for Babies
Tummy Time Toys
Understanding Trunk Rotation
Why It's Effective: These exercises stretch the upper and lower parts of the trunk in opposite directions, mirroring the essential movement patterns needed for rolling and other developmental milestones.
Why This Matters
Investing a few minutes daily in these simple exercises can make a significant difference in your baby's physical development. Trunk rotation is a cornerstone of movement, and by fostering this skill early on, you're paving the way for your baby to achieve milestones with greater ease and confidence.
Working Together for Your Baby's Best Start
If you've tried these exercises and have questions or if you're seeking more personalized guidance, I'm here for you. Check the pinned comment for a link to book a one-on-one consultation with me or schedule right here. We can dive deeper into your baby's developmental journey, ensuring you have all the tools and knowledge to support their growth every step of the way.
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
As parents, taking the time to understand and support your baby's development is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Trunk rotation is just one piece of the developmental puzzle, but it's a critical one. By incorporating these simple exercises into your daily routine, you're not only bonding with your baby but also actively contributing to their future success in rolling, crawling, and beyond.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to support your baby's development. Remember, you're doing an incredible job, and I'm here to support you. Stay tuned for more tips and insights to help your baby move with confidence and ease! If you haven’t yet, consider subscribing to the youtube channel for more videos for baby to toddler development.