My 4 Month Old Cannot Roll over or Lift Up.

My daughter did not roll over until she was 5 months. She hated "tummy time". I didn't do any thing special to help her progress. And know what? she was crawling at 6 months, cruising at 7 months and walking at 9.5 months. All that to say, I think 4 months is too early to say anything. Also, some babies never crawl, they go from sitting to walking. Some don't walk until closer to a year or later. If he hasn't progressed at all by 6 months, maybe get another consultation. Babies change so quickly, don't stress yet!

I too had a baby slow to develop on milestones. She could not crawl until 8 months. My pedi was VERY worried about her. He gave me some excerises to do everyday. The best one was getting a blow up ball toy and laying her on her stomach on the ball. Then holding her legs slowing roll the ball until she lifts her head a little bit. I made this a fun thing for her and after a bit she would laugh thru the whole thing. Only took about 2 weeks and her head/neck strength developed quickly. My baby is now a first grade teacher and graduated High School as Valdictorian.

I agree about switching pediatricians. Also, try giving him his belly time on your chest. You lay down on the floor and put him on your belly. That way he has the safety and security of knowing Mommy's right there and he can see you. These might be the greatest sources of his anxiety during tummy time. Also, a good workout for you is to do crunches with him on your shins. Hold onto his hands and pull your knees close to your chin then further out. You'll feel it in your tummy and he'll have a good time getting used to being on his belly. Good luck to you.

Every child is different and I hate it when doctors generalize without looking at your child specifically. sounds like he is developing beautifully. I have 3 children - the first never rolled over until 5 months old and couldn't sit up on her own until around 7 months or later. The second child was not only rolling and crawling, but walking along furniture at 6 months old. The third, is again a relaxed child. She is now 7 months old and just starting to roll around the place. All are healthy, intelligent and developing perfectly. All are unique and have their own motivations. You sound like you are doing great and investing quality time in his developement. When he is ready, he'll surprise you and start developing a new skill. I wouldn't worry at all!

A tip? Yes, switch Pedi's!

It sounds to me like you're doing all the right things. And what everyone else has said is totally right - all kids are different and develop differently.

Don't worry about it. He'll get there. And in the meantime, find a new pediatrician! The last thing you need to deal with is someone that makes you feel bad for something that you cannot control and is not your fault...and there isn't anything wrong!!!

one more thought: how long are you allowing your child to have tummy time before you rescue him? You mentioned that he did not like it......so how long are you allowing him to fuss? It's okay for him to cry ....as long as he is not totally frustrated.

Try a light-up musical toy or one that moves to motivate him. Lay him on your bed, kneel before him, & let him reach for your face! Babies love that!

my daughter hated tummy time too. I got through it finally. She rolled over both ways @ 3months because I think she just hated to be on her tummy. I used to help her allong when I saw that she was trying to roll over but I wouldn't help everytime. I wanted her to figure out that if I try to do these motions that this result can happen. She would get stuck on her arm and I would move it so she had an easier time.

What finally worked is that I would lay her on a gymini (one of those mats on the floor that have things that hang down to grab at and also has stuff to play with on the mat part). I would lay her on her back most of the time when I needed to do do something quick but sometimes I would place her on her tummy. She could see the toys she wanted to bat at but couldn't get to them on her tummy so she had to roll over. This is when I would help her sometimes.

To develop her neck and because she really did hate tummy time I would put her on her Boppy pillow with her chest on the middle and she was comfy enough with her head down but really, she wanted to lift her head to be able to see. I think this helped and I got some cute pics while practicing.

If you don't feel like your pedi is a right fit then please do switch. Ask around and I'm sure someone will have a pedi that they love. Have an interview with them to ask any questions you might have. If you like the dr then switch. You will be dealing with your son's pedi almost as much as you did your OB but for many many years. If you have different beliefs in basic principals then it is not a good fit.

My baby hated tummy time as well. He didn't roll over until a good bit after his peers (I can't remember the exact age). He displayed plenty of muscle tone during other activities (like you mention, when he pushes against you), so i didn't sweat it. Some doctors are more reassuring than others, so I wouldn't put too much weight on one doctor's opinion. When he starts to roll over, he'll pick it up in a matter of days and then it will be on to the next thing. It sounds like you are doing all that you can/should be doing.

It is absolutely right that a baby develops at his or her own pace. Even two babies born to the same parents develop at different pace. So please don't worry about it..it looks like you are doing things right. I have a suggestion on making tummy time possibly less stressful for both of you. My son used to hate tummy time so I started putting him on a playmat with a boppy pillow and that elevation gave my son a bit of a boost to start looking around and stay on his tummy a bit longer. You could also put a mirror(unbreakable, of course) or toys(soft blocks or something colorful) in front of him so he can enjoy looking at himself and probably reach for it down the road. My son also started legs strong before he developed the upper body strength to roll over. http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Tummy-Play-Pad-Blue/dp/B000G3... - check this link out to see how to position him- don't waste your money on buying this product, you can easily recreate this at home.
Also, I agree with the comment on possibly looking in to another pediatrician. Pediatricians are meant to guide and offer support to you in raising your child well and not make you feel terrible for doing your job! Hope this helps~Good Luck!

I agree maybe you need to look for a new pediatrician. One that would be helpful and not make you feel horrible.

When you are letting him have tummy time, how long do you let him stay before you pick him up? Even if he is crying you may want to let him be for a few more minutes. I know it's hard but crying won't hurt him. (Obviously you don't need to let him cry for too long but maybe don't pick him right up). If you are really concerned would suggest to find a new pediatrician who you can talk too and who can give you tips on how to help him along.

Hang in there I'm sure he will be rolling and crawling before you know it. My son was 5 months rolling over and almost 6 sitting up. He developed faster in some areas and slower is others.

I know that all babies develop at different paces, my kids are a perfect example of this. But milestones are very important to watch and I think doctors who closly watch your child's development are doing thier job. My son is ASD and so many people told me that he is just fine and he will develop at his own pace. If I didn't have a doctor who was concerned enough to ask the questions, he still may not be diagnosed. Because I noticed areas he was delayed in, I have been able to intervene early and he is doing very well today. So while four months may be a little too young to be concerned about rolling over, you really do need to watch your baby's development.

Please don't worry too much about this yet!! My brother's wife and I both had babies at the same time (1 week apart). Our babies are on completely different planes with everything!

My son didn't really start rolling till around 5 months or so. Now at 7.5 months he rolls all the way across the living room!

It sounds to me like you are doing all the things that will help him gain the upper body strength. Keep at it mama and don't stress!

I never gave my daughter tummy time until after she could roll over. She HATED it. I constantly carried her though, which also helps develop the muscles in her back and neck that are required for rolling. She finally mastered both directions right around 5 months.
She did not sit freely until closer to 8 months, that is also when she started crawling. She did not walk freely until 14 - 15 months... all of this is in the range of "normal".
My pediatrician NEVER gave me any grief and he was even the one to tell me not to worry, because every child develops at their own pace.
She is a very verbal, perfectly normal almost 3 year old now.

Any pediatrician that makes you feel terrible is, in my opinion, not in the right profession and you should find a better doctor.
Good luck!

Don't feel bad. My first son didn't start rolling over until about 8 mos, though he was very strong in his legs & would stand with just a bit of balance assistance at about 6 months.
My 2nd kept rolling himself over when we were still in the hospital after delivery & started rolling over constantly at about 5 mos. #2 will only sleep on his belly & is very strong all over. He started holding his head up on his own at about 7-10 days!
Each child is different and develops at his/her own pace! It's hard for us not to compare our boys & just remember they are individuals who are so very different.
If your pedi is making you feel bad about your son's accomplishments or lack thereof, I would find a new doc. Ours is always very encouraging, saying they will develop in their own time, etc.

Both my kids HATED tummy time until about 6 months when they realized they could use their hands, etc to start getting around on their own. They both rolled over around 5mo, and neither pediatrician mentioned anything at the 4mo appointment. You are going to be seeing your son's pediatrician for a LOOOOONG time, so that relationship needs to be trusting and comfortable.

Some issues you know you're always going to disagree with the doc (for me it was tummy sleeping and co-sleeping), so those things go in one ear and out the other. But if a doctor is going to put pressure on you for a FOUR MONTH old who's not rolling over when he's really not old enough for that skill, then I may find a new ped!! Now, if he's 6 months old and not rolling over, then maybe there's a concern, but 4 months old????

Hi. In TX there is a free developmental assessment and home/child care based therapy program called Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). In your area call UTMB ECI Launch at ###-###-#### to speak with a qualified specialist. You can go to them or they will come to you.
It may be nothing, and having a qualified assessment done will ease your mind. Plus, they will give you lots of support and practical ways to help your son.

He will do it when he is ready. My daughter wasn't doing any of that at 4 months. My son? He rolled at 2 months, started crawling at 5, and now, at 7, is trying to walk!

When they say they develop at their own paces, they really do, no matter what we do!

I think you should look for a new pediatrician, one who does not make you feel bad about your child and his progress. Then, if the new pediatrician has concerns about your son's development, consider contacting ECI for an evaluation and possible assistance.

Going to third or fourth getting a new pediatrician. Every source I could find says "normal" range for rolling over is 4-6 months. So, you're just at the beginning of the normal range. And really that's just the average, which means some perfectly healthy children will fall outside of that range.

Even if your doctor's advice/comments were not meant to make you feel badly, your reaction shows that there's a communication issue from one or both of you.

I have 6 children, and they have all progressed differently. One crawled before rolling over from back to front-- largely because he hated being on his stomach, as well. As long as there's not a lack of muscle tone, and he seems to be doing well in all other ways, then I think he's doing fine.

Give him some time. Some kids is slower or faster than others. That does not mean something is wrong. Keep working with him. He's going to surprise you one day. Keep taking him to the doctor for his check ups.

My granddaughter is 6 months and is barely rolling over. Sometimes she can and sometimes not. It is hard for her and she too has trouble being on her tummy and holding her head up for very long.
Chill out and enjoy your baby he is fine. They are all different and you will just make him hate things. Just do tummy time for short periods and if he fusses turn him over.
It is too soon to be worried about this.