Rolling is one of those developmental milestones that often does impact sleep. But how do we navigate this and is it safe to put my baby down to sleep on their tummy?
Firstly, no, it’s not safe to put your baby on their tummy for sleep. Regardless if your little one can roll or not, we are always going to pop them down on their back for sleep. Research has shown a decreased risk of SIDS when babies are placed flat on their backs for sleeping. You can read more about the back to sleep campaign over on the rednose website here.
Once your little one in showing signs of rolling we need to transition from bassinet to cot and also from a swaddle to an arms out sleep sack. The love to dream transitional swaddles are amazing and they allow you to use one swaddle instead of buying multiple.
When can babies or newborn sleep on their stomach?
While it's safest and recommended to put your baby to sleep on their back, it's okay if they roll onto their stomach on their own and sleep this way, IF they have the ability to roll back to front and front to back, even before they're a year old. However, you should make sure to make their environment as safe as possible. this means:
1. Keep your baby’s head and face uncovered. Covering baby’s face or head with clothing such as a hat increases the risk of sudden infant death.
2. Keep your baby smoke-free before and after birth.
3. Have a safe sleeping environment night and day. Make sure the mattress is firm, clean and flat, in a safe cot that meets industry standards. Make sure there are no blankets, soft bedding, toys, pillows or bumpers in the cot.
4. Sleep baby in their own safe sleep space in the same room as their parent or caregiver for at least the first 6 months.
5. Breastfeed your baby if possible.
If they don't have the ability to roll both ways just yet, it is recommended that you roll your little one back to their back if you notice they have rolled in their sleep. Lots of tummy time and practice during awake time will help to encourage them to learn this new developmental milestone and ensure it doesn't impact sleep for too long.
What do I do if my baby rolls while they are sleeping?
At first, it will more than likely startle you. You will also find that it can startle your baby. They can be so use to sleeping on their back, that once they do roll and realise they cannot get back, they become upset.
If you do find your baby is waking up crying after rolling over in their sleep, this doesn't mean you need have to go in and roll them back to their back each time. Give them a short period of space to try and see if they can roll back and master their new skill. If after a few moments you notice they are becoming increasingly upset you can go in and offer some calming back rubs and pats to help calm and reassure them that it is ok and then help to roll them back. Once they have developed the ability to roll both ways, you will not need to roll them back when checking in and reassuring them.
Rolling usually starts to occur from around 3 months onwards and can take a good 2 weeks or so of practice before they master rolling both ways.
If you find you have tried everything and bub is still not sleeping well since they have started rolling, our 4-12 month sleep guide has all the tips and tricks you need to help get bubs sleep back on track, as well as how to navigate the 4 month sleep regression. You can find it here.
