Baby Not Rolling Over at 6 Months: Is It a Sign of Cerebral Palsy?
When your baby isn’t rolling yet, it can make you second-guess everything from tummy time, sleep, and feeding to even whether you missed an early warning sign. The truth is, some babies roll early, some later, and many will “practice” for weeks before it clicks.
When Do Babies Roll Over?
Most babies learn to roll over in phases. They usually learn to roll from tummy to back first because that movement requires less coordination than the other direction. Rolling from back to tummy often comes later, since it takes stronger trunk control and shoulder stability.
The CDC includes rolling from tummy to back as a common milestone around 6 months. What matters most isn't the exact week your baby rolls, but whether your baby is gradually gaining strength, control, and new movement patterns over time.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting Close to Rolling
A lot of babies don't quickly go from "not rolling" to a "full roll" overnight. Many practice for days or even weeks, and the early signs can sometimes be easy to miss if you don't know what to look for.
Your baby may be getting close to rolling over if you notice them:
- Rock side-to-side when lying on their back or during tummy time
- Roll onto their side and get "stuck" there
- Reach across their body for toys (this twisting motion is a huge part of rolling)
- Grab their feet or bring their knees up toward the chest more often
- During tummy time, they push up on their forearms and shift weight from one arm to the other
- Their hips or shoulders start to "lead" first (many babies roll in two steps: shoulder to hips or hips to shoulders)
Note: If you're seeing these signs, it usually means your baby is building up their strength and coordination needed for rolling. They will most likely be ready to roll soon once the movement clicks for them.
When Should I Worry If My Baby Isn't Rolling Yet?
When your baby isn't rolling yet, it can feel like a big deal, but the reason why matters more than the exact month they roll. The timelines below show what's common at each age and which signs should be looked at closer.
Baby Not Rolling at 4 Months
Usually normal, and your baby is likely building skills and strength rolling.
At 4 months, many babies are still building the foundation for rolling. Your baby may be pushing up more during tummy time, turning their head more smoothly, and starting to rock from side to side. Some babies may even roll accidentally at this stage, while others don’t roll until later.
Not rolling at 4 months usually isn't a concern if your baby is showing other signs of progress like stronger head control, active kicking, reaching for toys, and gradually tolerating tummy time better.
However, if you notice your baby seems unusually stiff or unusually floppy, has very limited head control, or always seems to be turning in one direction, it's worth mentioning to your pediatrician.
Baby Not Rolling at 5 Months
Still often normal. Your baby probably just needs more practice time.
By 5 months, rolling often becomes more intentional, but it’s still common for babies to look like they’re “almost there” for weeks. Many babies will twist their upper body but not be able to bring their hips along, or they’ll just roll to the side and get stuck.
A really common reason rolling is delayed at this stage is simply not enough floor time. If a baby spends a lot of their awake time in swings, bouncers, infant seats, or carriers, they get fewer chances to practice the twisting and pushing that rolling requires.
Another common reason is tightness or a preference to using one side of their body (often related to torticollis), which can make turning feel harder in one direction.
Generally, at around 5 months, if your baby is attempting to shift weight, reach across their body, or roll partially, it's typically a good sign, and you shouldn't be worried about their progress.
Baby Not Rolling at 6 Months
Worth mentioning to your pediatrician if you don't see progress.
If your 6-month-old is not rolling yet, you don’t need to panic, but it’s reasonable to take it more seriously than at 4 months. Tummy-to-back rolling is typically achieved around 6 months.
If you aren't seeing any signs of progress or start noticing other issues like poor head control, noticeable stiffness, floppiness, or uneven movement from side to side, let your pediatrician know.
Even if the cause is something mild, such as weakness, limited practice, or tightness, early guidance and more floor time can help your baby to catch up faster and more comfortably.
Baby Not Rolling at 7 Months
Time to consider a developmental screening.
If your baby is 7 months old and is not rolling over yet in either direction, most pediatric guidance would consider that a strong reason to evaluate for a gross motor delay.
It's especially a concern if you’re also noticing muscle tone differences such as stiffness, floppiness, asymmetry, or feeding and growth issues (like poor weight gain or losing weight).
Why Some Babies Don’t Roll Yet
Some babies roll late simply because they’re content and not very “wiggly.” Others are focused on different skills first, like sitting, babbling, or grabbing toys. Some babies also don't like tummy time and avoid the strength-building skills that rolling requires.
Rolling can also be delayed when your baby:
- Was born early (adjusted age matters)
- Has reflux or discomfort that makes floor play or tummy time hard
- Has mild tightness or prefers using one side of their body
If your baby is making clear signs of progress in other areas, then rolling may just be a later milestone for them and shouldn't be a concern.
Could Not Rolling Be an Early Sign of Cerebral Palsy?
Most rolling delays are not a concern, and not rolling by itself does not necessarily mean a baby has cerebral palsy. In fact, many babies roll late and do not have any neurological conditions.
However, because cerebral palsy affects muscle tone, posture, and coordination, certain patterns like stiffness, floppiness, or one-sided differences may be a concern.
You should consider asking for a developmental evaluation by a pediatric neurologist or developmental specialist if you notice rolling delays paired with other signs like:
- Very stiff or very floppy muscles during most of the day
- Legs that cross or "scissor" when you lift your baby up
- Persistent clenched fists (or one hand that stays fisted more than the other)
- Obvious preference for using one side of the body
- Head lag that persists beyond the early months
- Delays stacked together, such as not rolling plus poor head control or not reaching well
How Can I Help My Baby Roll?
As a parent, it's totally understandable that you want to help your baby to roll, but the goal should be to give them opportunities to twist and shift weight, not to "make" them roll. Most babies benefit simply by getting more chances to practice rolling on their own.
Tips to Help Your Baby Roll Over
Try increasing floor time when your baby is awake and calm. If tummy time is a battle, shorter sessions that happen more frequently can help. Oftentimes, if you place toys just off to the side, it can encourage your baby to reach across their body, which naturally sets up the rolling motion for them.
You can also gently guide their shoulder and hip together to help your baby feel the movement pattern. If your baby gets frustrated quickly, don't fret. Take breaks and try again later. Rolling can come in bursts after weeks of practice and may even surprise you when it happens.
My Baby Can Sit But Isn't Rolling: Is That Normal?
Yes, this can be quite normal. Some babies prioritize sitting and building their hand skills first, so rolling comes a bit later. This is especially true if they’re spending a lot of awake time propped up in seated positions (like in a high chair, bouncer, or supported sitting).
Rolling still matters because it builds important skills like trunk rotation, shoulder stability, and coordinated weight shifting. All of these skills are important and help to support crawling and other milestones later on.
It's usually less of a concern if your baby:
- Can move comfortably in many positions, whether on their back, tummy, or side
- Uses both sides of their body evenly
- Shows steady progress even if it's slow
You should let your pediatrician know if you notice:
- Your baby sits but seems stuck in one position and avoids floor movement
- Always rolls or turns in only one direction
- Has noticeable stiffness, floppiness, or asymmetry
- Doesn't attempt to twist, reach across their body, or shift weight while playing
If your baby sits normally but isn't rolling yet, simply giving them more floor time usually helps.
How Do Pediatricians Evaluate a Rolling Delay?
If you bring up rolling concerns, your pediatrician will likely start by figuring out whether it looks like a normal variation or whether it’s part of a bigger motor or muscle tone pattern.
A typical evaluation often includes:
1) Questions about daily movement opportunities
Your pediatrician may ask how much floor time your baby gets, what tummy time looks like, and whether your baby spends a lot of time awake in swings, loungers, or seats. Sometimes the main issue is simply limited practice time.
2) A developmental milestone check
They’ll look at rolling alongside other skills like head control, reaching, sitting balance, and whether your baby is making progress month to month.
3) A muscle tone and symmetry exam
They may check for signs of stiffness (hypertonia), floppiness (hypotonia), unusual reflexes, or one-sided differences in movement, like one arm being used less or a strong preference for turning one way.
4) Screening for common "helpers" or "blockers"
A big one is torticollis (tight neck muscles) or a head-turn preference, which can make rolling more difficult in one direction. Reflux discomfort or GERD can also make tummy time more uncomfortable for babies.
5) Next steps if needed
Depending on what they see, your pediatrician may recommend:
- An early intervention evaluation. This is usually free and does not require a diagnosis.
- Referral to physical therapy for guided exercises and positioning.
- A potential referral to a developmental pediatrician or pediatric neurologist if there are bigger red flags, such as tone issues, obvious asymmetry, multiple delays, or concerning birth history.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call your pediatrician soon if you notice:
- Your baby isn't rolling by 6-7 months
- Rolling delay comes with stiffness, floppiness, or uneven movement
- Your baby seems uncomfortable while moving or has struggles feeding or gaining weight
Seek urgent care or call 911 if you ever see breathing problems, unresponsiveness, or seizure-like episodes.
What You Can Do Next
If you feel like something is off, you can start by watching your baby's patterns for a week. Notice whether your baby attempts to roll in both directions or always only one way. Also pay attention to whether your baby is getting closer over time or whether movement feels stalled.
If you're still worried, ask your pediatrician about an early intervention screening. Early intervention can help if you suspect something might be off and you want to help your baby, even without a diagnosis.
Quick tip: Showing your pediatrician a quick 30-60 second video of your baby during tummy time and back play (reaching, kicking, attempting to twist) can help them to see what you're seeing at home, especially if the issue is intermittent.
Baby Not Rolling Over Yet FAQs
Written and Medically Reviewed by:
Cerebral Palsy Hub Team
Cerebral Palsy Hub was founded to help support children and their families with cerebral palsy and to create a safe space for those affected. We strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information, and tools to help give your child the life they deserve.
Last Updated: February 14, 2026
