You follow the ABCs of safe sleep and put your baby to bed on her back to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But what if your baby rolls over onto her tummy during the night anyway? Is it safe for your baby to sleep on her stomach?
Learn more about when it's okay for your little one to sleep on her tummy and what to do if she rolls over at night.
When can babies sleep on their stomachs?
It’s critical to put babies to sleep on their backs for the first year of life. If your baby rolls from back to stomach on her own at night, however, it’s okay to let her stay that way, as experts say babies at this developmental stage are at a decreased risk of SIDS (which drops significantly after babies turn 6 months old).
What should you do if your baby rolls onto her stomach overnight while she’s sleeping?
By all means, let your sleeping baby sleep. Once babies learn to roll over onto their tummies, a milestone that typically happens between 4 and 6 months, there's usually no turning them back — especially if they prefer snoozing belly-down.
Babies who can change positions easily usually have the agility to protect themselves from whatever it is about tummy sleeping that increases SIDS risk, say experts. If your baby is rolling onto her tummy to sleep, it also means you should stop swaddling her.
That said, you should continue to put your baby to sleep on her back until her first birthday. And always abide by other safe sleep tips, including putting her down on a firm sleeping surface and keeping all other objects (like pillows, blankets, bumpers, loose-fitting sheets and plush toys) out of her crib.
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Is it okay to put your baby down to sleep on her stomach?
No, not before she turns 1. You should always put your baby to bed on her back until she's 12 months old, even if she ends up rolling onto her stomach at night. Doing so sharply reduces the risk of SIDS — which is one of the leading causes of death during a baby’s first year of life, especially within the first 4 to 6 months.
What’s more, back sleep is a healthy habit to encourage. Back sleepers tend to have a lower risk of fevers, nasal congestion and ear infections than stomach sleepers. And they’re no more likely to spit up or choke on their spit than babies who snooze on their stomachs.
When are babies not at risk of SIDS when they sleep on their stomachs?
If your baby is able to roll over — generally by about 4 to 6 months of age — the high-risk period for SIDS has generally passed. That said, it’s important to keep putting your baby to sleep on her back until her first birthday.
Should you worry if your baby rolls onto her stomach at night?
Try not to lose sleep yourself if she rolls onto her stomach during the night. Experts say that babies who can easily flip from their backs to their stomachs are at a significantly reduced risk of SIDS.
That may be because babies who’ve developed the strength and mobility to switch positions easily have also matured enough to sense trouble when they’re sleeping — which makes them better able to protect themselves.
One important thing to keep in mind: Once you notice your baby is beginning to roll on her own, it's time to stop swaddling (if you haven’t done so already).
What should you do if your baby prefers sleeping on her stomach?
Some babies seem to fuss less on their stomachs, perhaps because it feels more secure to cuddle up against the mattress. But it’s important to put your baby to sleep on her back so she can get used to the position.
If your baby startles frequently, try swaddling your baby or using a sleep sack, although you'll have to stop swaddling when she's active enough to kick off the swaddling blanket or has started trying to roll over.
Also consider offering your baby a pacifier when you put her down. These steps may help provide the comfort she’s seeking to hopefully sleep better.
When to call the doctor
There’s no reason to be concerned if your baby decides for herself that she prefers to roll over and sleep on her stomach, as long as you've followed safe sleep practices at bedtime.
But if you have any concerns about your baby’s sleeping patterns (or are at your wit’s end because you have an infant who just doesn’t want to sleep on her back), don’t hesitate to check in with your doctor.
It can be nerve-wracking once your little one starts rolling onto her tummy in the middle of the night. As long as you put your baby to sleep on her back and follow other safe sleep tips, you’re doing everything right to reduce the risk of SIDS.
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