When can babies start to turn? Signs & tips at a glance

In the first few months of life, your baby goes through numerous stages of development. It learns new things every day and continues to develop from day to day. This includes learning to roll over independently at some point. This milestone is very important for parents.

In this article, you will find out when babies start to turn, what the signs are that they are about to turn and how you can support your baby in this process. We also introduce you to the swing2sleep bassinet, which supports your baby's sleep during developmental phases.

When do babies start to turn from their back to their side?

In terms of turning, your baby will go through different phases in their first year of life. These start with your baby turning from their back to their side. Some babies start this at around three months of age, while others don't roll onto their side until they are five or six months old.

To turn from back onto its side, your baby sticks its legs up in the air and then tips onto its side. This will look uncoordinated at first and your baby will probably roll straight back onto their back on the first few attempts. Over time, however, the muscles will strengthen and your baby will become more coordinated.

If it can lie on its side and remain in this position, your baby will perceive its environment from a new perspective. In particular, it can now perceive its immediate surroundings much better.

Therefore, pay particular attention when changing nappies: Many babies turn frequently when being changed in order to explore their surroundings.

When can babies turn from their back to their tummy?

Once your baby has learned to turn from their back to their side, the next stage of development will be lying on their tummy. Once your baby is lying on their tummy, they will train their neck muscles and learn to hold their head independently. For babies, turning onto their tummy is therefore an important step in their development.

It is difficult to say when babies can lie on their tummy independently. Most babies manage to turn from their back to their tummy at around seven months. This is often not a conscious rollover - your baby has first rolled onto their side and then onto their tummy.

If your baby has managed to roll onto its tummy, it may be surprised by this and not be able to roll back onto its back on its own. Watch your baby closely during this phase and, if necessary, help them out of the prone position.

Another developmental step: When do babies turn from the tummy to the back?

If your baby can turn from the supine to the prone position, there is just one more step to go. Your baby will soon learn to turn from their tummy to their back on their own. Most babies manage this at around seven to nine months.

This turn is a challenge for many babies, as they quickly tip their head roughly onto the floor. They will first use their arms to turn from their tummy to their side and then drop onto their back.

All these steps involve a lot of effort for your baby. They work the muscles and strengthen them at the same time. Your baby also has to concentrate to manage the turn.

It is therefore not unusual for your baby to start turning a little earlier or later. Rather, it is an individual development that babies go through at different speeds.

How can I tell that my baby is learning to turn?

Babies' motor development progresses rapidly. It often only takes a few months before the first turn. Parents therefore ask themselves how they can tell that their baby will soon be able to turn independently.

We have summarized some signs for you:

• Lots of kicking: If your baby is lying on their back and kicking their legs wildly in the air, they are probably already training their muscles for their first turn.
• Raising their head: At around three to four months of age, your baby will learn to hold and raise their head when lying on their tummy.
• Push off with the arms: He will then try to push himself off the floor with his arms, which also trains his muscles.
• Swimming movements: Many babies also make swimming movements quite instinctively in a prone position to train their coordination and muscles.
• Rocking: A baby's rocking movement in the prone position can also be a sign that it could soon be turning.

Most babies show these signs between the fourth and fifth month of life. However, if your baby is not yet turning or supporting themselves, you should not worry.

Every baby develops at their own pace. And if your little one only turns at six months, then there's nothing wrong with that.

Should babies be helped to turn?

Basically, babies start to turn and work on their coordination all by themselves. It is therefore not necessary to actively support them or encourage them to do so.

However, you do have the opportunity to encourage your child through play.

There are many different ways to do this:

• Lay your baby on a play blanket: If your baby is lying relaxed on a play blanket, this is the best place for them to practise turning. Such blankets provide a soft surface and encourage your baby to follow their urge to move. Make sure that your baby is lying in the middle of the blanket so that they don't hit their head on the floor when turning.
• Stimulate turning with toys: Lay your baby on his back and observe his behavior. You can place a toy next to him to encourage him to turn. This also works with a small rattle or other objects.
• Always keep an eye on your baby: If your baby is currently learning to roll over, you should be particularly vigilant. This is because babies are often uncoordinated at first and could injure themselves. Also make sure that there are no small items on the floor that your baby could swallow. All dangerous objects should always be kept out of reach of babies.

It is important that you do not overstrain your baby. If it is not turning yet, then it still needs some time. He will only be able to roll over when his stomach and back muscles are developed enough. So give your baby time and don't put them under any pressure.

Your baby has got the hang of it: this is important now

Do you have the impression that your baby will soon be rolling over? Or have you already observed it turning on its own? This developmental step is often a special milestone for parents. However, it should also be accompanied by a few precautions.

We have summarized these for you:

• Be careful on the changing table: Your baby can now turn - you should therefore always hold him or her firmly on the changing table. Always keep one hand on your baby, as they could suddenly turn and, in the worst case, fall off the changing table.
• Always keep an eye on your baby in the prone position: If your baby has only recently learned to turn onto their tummy, you should always keep an eye on them. This is because babies are often stuck in the prone position and cannot turn back. If your baby then has to spit up, it will find it difficult to breathe on its tummy and will need your help.
• Prone position at night: If your baby has turned for the first time at the age of four to five months, it could now also turn onto its stomach at night. However, this position can promote sudden infant death syndrome and is therefore not advisable. If your baby has turned onto its stomach during sleep, you should turn it onto its back again.
• Safety precautions around the house: When babies roll over, they usually learn to crawl a short time later. It is then high time for parents to childproof their home. This reduces sources of danger and creates a safe environment for your baby.

Turning is a big milestone for your baby. Even if parents often see this developmental step as very positive, it means a big change.

Be prepared for your baby to turn on the changing table and to thoroughly inspect your home in the coming months months. Caution is the be-all and end-all.

Further development: What comes after turning

Turning is just the beginning for your baby. As soon as they have learned to turn, their muscles will be stronger and further steps will follow. After turning, your baby will learn to sit and will start crawling a short time later.

Many children develop at their own pace: your baby's development is individual and should therefore not be a cause for concern. Celebrate your little one's motor milestones - no matter how many months old they are when they turn for the first time.

During regular check-ups, your pediatrician will check your baby's development and also test their motor skills .

Swing cradle from swing2sleep: Sleeping aid & cozy nest for your baby

When babies develop rapidly in the first few months of life, this is often accompanied by poor sleep. Your baby is then restless, wakes up several times a night or finds it difficult to fall asleep. What can help your baby with this is the swing2sleep bassinet.

This provides your baby with a cozy nest: you place it in the airy hammock in which it is hugged tightly. This closeness reminds your baby of their time in the womb and gives them a feeling of security, so that they calm down more quickly.

Then switch on the intelligent spring cradle motor. With its gentle up and down movements, it encourages your little one to fall asleep and stay asleep. This applies not only to restless phases, but for every day.

See for yourself and take a look at our unique spring cradle!