Is It Normal For My Child to Master a Skill, Then Suddenly Stop?
“My son seemed to just be nailing down rolling, and now all of a sudden has stopped. Normal? Should I be worried? Help!”
Answer: This is such a great question, and something that is not only common, but can also often be completely normal!
Many times, little ones will begin practicing a skill, mastering it quickly, only to all of a sudden STOP doing it just when we think they have it nailed down.
What the heck! It can be so confusing for them AND us because it really seems like our babies just forget skills?! But let’s talk about it….
While this can be frustrating for them and us, it truly can be absolutely normal. There is SO much changing for them so quickly in the first few years of life. They are growing, learning, changing, experiencing their world for the first time in ever changing ways - and all of that can majorly impact not only WHAT they’re doing during floor time, but how much they’re even willing to attempt floor time!
Often times when baby was rolling and then stopped, it’s related to another new skill beginning to emerge.
Why Did My Baby Stop Rolling Over?
One of the most common times this happens is during belly to back rolling. If that’s your little…here’s why your baby might seem to have ‘forgotten’ how to roll!
Belly to back emerges around 3-5 months for most babies as an INTENTIONAL skill. BUT, it is absolutely possible to see it earlier than that! This is because a baby’s head in those early months is pretty much the heaviest part of their body. As they become more intentional about lifting their head during tummy time, an unintentional topple over may occur for two reasons. One, again, the weight of their head! And two - because the muscles on the FRONT of their body don’t really develop until closer to that 3-4 month range (and continue into the 4-6 month range & beyond). Without those front muscles to counteract the developing back muscles (from all that amazing tummy time), the weight of their head causes the unintentional topple. Again, as those front muscles begin developing, they may appear like they’re going to roll belly to back, only to stop and steady themselves and remain on their belly. But don’t stress! Those muscles on the front & back will begin to even out as independent sitting gets closer, and your little one will be rolling again in no time!
Another common time I see the ‘forgotten’ milestone is with back to belly rolling. Expected between 4-6 months of age, little ones often begin to roll and then appear to be stuck on their belly, seeming like they now forgot how to get off….what the heck?! But AGAIN - there is usually a reason, and in this case, it’s often that they are now going to start exploring pre-crawling skills while belly down AND they’re likely working through something called the Landau Reflex, aka the baby Superman! Again, while it can be a frustrating (and confusing!) time for them and us, there IS often a reason for it.
Regardless of what skill it is that we see occurring and then stopping briefly, the key is that we want to see it coming back within a few weeks, and/or as soon as the new skill develops. In the interim, don’t be afraid to continue practicing the previous skill & setting the environment up for success for them to continue playing purposefully and practicing (even if it’s with a little bit of your help!)
Should I Tell My Pediatrician My Baby Stopped Rolling Over?
Most importantly, while it can be both common and normal to see what I outlined above, if your child had a skill, or had many skills, and appears to be losing them, that is different and absolutely something we want to mention to your pediatrician to be sure a true regression in skills isn’t happening. Either way, if you have worries about your little one’s development, always bring it to their attention!
Hope that helps!
WANT MORE?
For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.
KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of three! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.
