Is Your Baby Starting to Roll? Are Naps Suddenly a Disaster? Let’s Gently Get Things Back on Track

At around 5 months, your baby is entering a beautiful — and slightly chaotic — stage. 😅

Suddenly, they’re rolling over, moving more, fascinated by everything… and just when naps were starting to become a little more predictable, it all seems to unravel.

If you’re wondering:

•  “What’s going on with my baby’s sleep?”
  
  
•  “Am I doing something wrong?”
  
  
•  “Is this some kind of regression?”
  
  

Take a deep breath. You’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. What you’re experiencing is completely normal and, importantly, it’s something you can support with love and confidence.

🤸‍♀️ What does it mean when a baby starts to roll?
Rolling over (from tummy to back, or back to tummy) is one of your baby’s first big physical milestones. It’s a sign of healthy development — but it can also disrupt sleep because:

•  Your baby wants to practise their new skill… even in the cot.
  
  
•  They might get “stuck” in an awkward position and become frustrated.
  
  
•  Or they may simply wake more because they’re busy exploring their body and the world.
  
  

And yes, this often happens just as naps were starting to feel easier… 😅

😴 Why are naps suddenly all over the place?
 At 5 months, naps can become unpredictable for a few different reasons:

🔄 A maturing body clock
Your baby is starting to develop a more adult-like sleep-wake rhythm — but it’s still taking shape.
 👉 This can mean short naps, skipped naps or more frequent waking.

🧠 A burst of brain development
 Learning to roll and other new skills stimulate the brain and may make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. Their mind is buzzing!

😵‍💫 Overtiredness or overstimulation
If your baby doesn’t nap enough or stays awake too long, they may become overtired — which actually makes it harder to nap, creating a tricky cycle.

💡 So… what can you do?
Here’s the good news: there are simple, gentle ways to support your baby through this phase. Try what feels right for you — every small step helps.

⏱️ 1. Adjust wake windows
At 5 months, most babies manage wake times of around 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

If your baby is very unsettled or struggling to fall asleep, try putting them down a little earlier. Overtiredness can really get in the way of good naps.

🌘 2. Create darkness for daytime naps
Even during the day, a dark room can help your baby settle into deeper, longer sleep. Visual distractions are powerful at this age — and a dark space reduces stimulation.

🫶 3. Practise rolling during the day
If your baby gets frustrated when rolling in the cot, give them time to practise on the floor during the day. The more confident they become with the movement, the less it will disrupt their sleep.

🧘‍♀️ 4. Build a short pre-nap routine
Even a mini routine — a soft song, closing the curtains, cuddles — can signal it’s time to wind down. This helps calm their nervous system and ease the transition to sleep.

🐣 5. Don’t aim for perfect naps every day
Sleep at this age is rarely linear. Some days will be messier than others. If one nap doesn’t go well, try another a bit earlier — or let them nap in your arms or the pram if needed. It all counts.

🧡 You’re doing better than you think
It may not always feel like it, but you’re showing up in the ways your baby needs most. This phase won’t last forever — and your calm presence is the most powerful sleep support of all.