Week 16: Rolling Into New Skills
Your baby is now 16 weeks old — and if they haven’t already, they’re likely about to master one of their first major motor milestones: rolling. This week often brings a noticeable leap in strength, alertness, and movement. You might find yourself needing to update your daily rhythm (and your floor setup!) as your baby becomes more active and engaged with their surroundings.
Development
Your baby’s physical development is surging ahead. They may now be able to roll from tummy to back — or at least start experimenting with twisting motions that suggest rolling is on the horizon. Each baby reaches this milestone in their own time, but the motivation to move is growing fast.
Their visual tracking is also sharper — they can follow moving objects smoothly across their field of vision, and may turn their head toward sounds with more precision. You might notice more deliberate movements as their hand control improves. Instead of random flailing, they’re reaching for toys and bringing them to their mouth with intention.
Facial expressions are becoming more complex too: frowns, giggles, raised eyebrows, and wide-eyed surprise all start to show up in more social interactions. Your baby is not just reacting — they’re communicating.
Sleep
This week often marks the beginning of what’s sometimes called the "four-month sleep shift." Your baby’s brain is reorganising how it sleeps — moving from newborn cycles to more adult-like sleep stages. This change can bring more night waking, shorter naps, and increased restlessness.
This is not a regression. It’s a progression in brain development — even though it might not feel that way at 3am.
It’s important to maintain safe sleep practices, especially now that your baby may roll during the night. Continue placing them on their back to sleep, and make sure their sleep space is free from pillows, toys, or loose blankets. If your baby rolls onto their side or tummy during sleep, there’s no need to reposition them — as long as they got there on their own and the sleep environment is safe.
Feeding
Many babies become more distracted during feeds this week, especially during the day. They’ll latch, suck for a moment, then pop off to look at a noise or light. This isn’t a problem — it’s a sign of growing curiosity. Feeding in a calm, low-stimulation environment can help, particularly before naps or at bedtime.
Evening cluster feeding may continue. Some babies increase feeding during the late afternoon to tank up before longer stretches of night sleep. This is entirely normal and doesn’t indicate a supply issue.
You may also notice your baby watching you eat with great interest. While this curiosity is lovely to see, it’s not yet a sign that they’re ready for solids. Most babies will be developmentally ready around six months. Breastmilk (or formula) continues to provide everything they need right now.
Play and Interaction
Play becomes more purposeful this week. Your baby may begin to reach for specific toys, bring them to their mouth, shake them, or track them if you move them side to side. Sensory exploration is in full swing — toys with different textures, gentle rattles, and soft mirrors can be especially appealing now.
Tummy time continues to be valuable. You might find your baby is able to lift their chest higher off the ground, or even pivot slightly from side to side. Always supervise tummy time, and follow your baby’s cues for how long they want to be there.
Songs, rhymes, and face-to-face games are still magic. Repetition is soothing. Babies this age often enjoy predictability — the same rhyme, the same game, the same silly face — repeated again and again.
Top Tip of the Week
“If your baby is waking more at night or fussing during the day, they’re not going backwards. Their brain is busy growing. Meet their needs with love and trust — this stage won’t last forever.”
Real Life Reflections
The four-month mark can feel like a bit of a storm — especially if your baby’s sleep changes overnight or they suddenly want to be held more often. These moments can feel relentless. You might hear advice to introduce a schedule, stop contact naps, or reduce feeds — but these aren’t developmentally necessary. You don’t need to sleep train to support your baby through this phase.
What your baby needs most is connection, consistency, and comfort. And what you need is support, rest when you can get it, and permission to lower the bar on everything else.
Looking Ahead
Over the next few weeks, you’ll likely see more consistent rolling, louder babbles, and longer stretches of active play. This is a period of growth in every sense — physically, socially, and emotionally.
Now is a great time to revisit safe sleep guidelines, update tummy time activities, and keep nurturing your baby’s exploration with gentle rhythms and lots of loving attention.
Further Reading:
The Piggy Bank Method of Expressing Learn how to build a reserve of expressed breastmilk over time, especially useful as you prepare for upcoming separations or returns to work.
Hands-on Pumping Discover techniques to maximize milk output by combining hand expression with pumping, enhancing efficiency and comfort.
Choosing a Breast Pump: What Do You Need to Know? Understand the different types of breast pumps available and how to select one that suits your needs and lifestyle.
