My baby rolls over in the crib, what now?

There's a phase that catches almost everyone off guard. Your baby has just had a few longer nights, and then comes rolling from back to tummy. Only: the way back doesn't work yet. So there's a roll, then being stuck, then anger, and you're standing next to the crib four times a night to put your baby back.

Why it gets stuck

Back to tummy is much easier than tummy to back. The first movement comes quickly, the second not yet. That's exactly where the frustration is, and why nights get worse for a while.

Around the fourth month a baby usually starts on it naturally. But in month three you can already encourage it by showing the movement. The more your baby practices, the shorter that annoying in-between phase lasts.

Once both directions work, things actually get calmer. Your baby doesn't need to wait for you anymore, and chooses the most comfortable position themselves. Many babies then become tummy sleepers. Rolling also turns out to be one of the ways to self-regulate during sleep.

What you do during the day

It's about 45 to 60 minutes a day in total, spread over short play moments. How to spread it and why it has to do with sleep is in how much tummy time a baby needs. Not all at once: no baby lies on their tummy for forty-five minutes without getting frustrated.

And note the difference. Tummy time isn't the same as learning to roll. Lying on the tummy is great for strength in the neck, shoulders and arms, but you have to show the movement itself. That goes in four steps:

1. Lure with a toy. Put your baby on their back and draw attention to one side, for example by making noise with the toy. The head follows.
2. Gentle guidance. To roll to the left, take the right leg and support the pelvis with your hand. Bring that leg over the other one and give a small pull toward the feet if needed, so the weight comes along. Don't force it.
3. The 90-degree angle. Put the lower arm straight forward at a ninety-degree angle, so the shoulder doesn't get stuck. If your baby doesn't help, support the shoulder.
4. The landing. The tummy comes under. Then encourage your baby to pull the arms forward, so they lean on their little elbows and can lift the head better.

For the way back, tummy to back, carefully pull the lower arm out from under the shoulder and tummy.

Stop swaddling

As soon as your baby starts rolling on their own, it's time to say goodbye to the swaddle. Swaddled, the arms are held in place, and then turning back is impossible. That's no longer safe. See when to stop swaddling.

When to wait a little

If your baby has reflux or tummy pain, wait a little. Practicing is fine, but without hurry, and at their own pace.

Rolling not coming yet? That's okay. Every baby develops at their own pace, and this isn't something you can force. Keep offering tummy time, and the rest follows.

If there are other reasons for waking at the same time, look at Wonder Weeks leaps and the four-month sleep regression, which fall in exactly this period.