You’re cheering her on during tummy time, camera in hand, waiting for her to complete that first roll. But what happens next? Is it safe for your baby to be flipping in her sleep like a little acrobat? Be prepared with everything you need to know about side and stomach sleeping.

What’s happening?

At 4 to 6 months old, your baby will hit an exciting new milestone: that first roll. Chances are, she’ll want to practice her new skills at bedtime and naptime, which can make settling more difficult, which can impact your baby’s sleep routine. And once your baby does nod off, you may find her sleeping on her tummy.

Is it normal?

Completely normal. But more than a little nerve-wracking for mom and dad. Until your baby has mastered a complete roll, they should sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies who can roll independently can safely sleep on side or tummy.

What to expect—and how to be ready

Learning to roll over

Babies can show signs of rolling over as early as 3 months old or as late as 7 months old. Once your little one begins this new trick, she’ll want to try it all the time.

Rolling to side or stomach during sleep

You know back is best, but while your baby is still learning to roll or already an independent roller, you should follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Becoming a tummy sleeper

Once she’s an independent roller, your baby might prefer to sleep on her side or tummy all the time. Because she can roll from back to tummy and back again on her own, it’s safe to leave her be.

Your Safe Sleep Checklist: tummy sleeper edition 

New mom sleep hacks you’ll love

Michelle was getting nervous as her daughter was learning to roll over and moving around a lot in her sleep. The Zen Sack™ gave her daughter some added comfort, so she spent more time staying on her back and Michelle spent less time worrying.

Common questions from parents

• Is it safe for babies to sleep on their side?
  The safest sleeping position for your baby to sleep in is on their backs as it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “The side position is not considered a safe alternative to sleeping wholly on the back. Studies have found that the side sleep position is unstable and increases the chance that infants will roll onto their stomachs - the sleep position associated with the highest SIDS risk. The AAP Task Force recommends that infants be placed wholly on their backs to sleep - for naps and at night.”

  A side-sleeping baby who can't roll over independently is more likely to get into a compromising or dangerous position while sleeping that they are unable to get themselves out of. Unless you’ve consulted your doctor and they have instructed you to position your baby on their side to sleep for a medical reason, you should always put your baby on their back to sleep.

  Some babies may prefer to sleep on their side or tummy once they learn to roll over completely independently. This is generally considered safe, since your baby now has the strength and skill to move out of a potentially hazardous situation.

• What if my baby prefers to sleep on their side or stomach?

  Regardless of how your baby likes to sleep, on their back is always safest. Even if your baby is an independent roller, you should still always place them on their back to sleep, even if they will move on their own later.

  If your baby seems to like sleeping on their side better than their back, try:

  • If your baby is used to being placed on their side a swaddle might help soothe them now that you’re placing them on their backs. Do not swaddle if your baby is moving to her side on her own.
  • Repositioning them when they move onto their side. This will help your baby get used to staying on their back throughout the night.
  • A gently weighted sleep sack. If swaddling isn’t an option, the gently weighted Zen Sack™ is a great alternative. Its gentle pressure can help soothe babies like a swaddle would while still being safe for active babies.

  If you’re in between a swaddle and a sack, the Zen One™ swaddle is gently weighted to keep your baby calmer during sleep and offers versatile features like removable mesh sleeves so you can transition to arms out as baby grows and starts learning how to roll over.

• How can I prevent my baby from sleeping on her side or stomach?

  The best way to prevent your baby from sleeping on their side is to place them in the crib on their back. Most newborns will stay in the position you place them in since they are not yet strong enough to move themselves. Swaddling may help your baby feel more comfortable on their back as well, as long as they have not started rolling over yet.

  If your baby won’t sleep on their back, even when swaddled, consult your pediatrician for their advice. Perhaps there’s another factor causing your baby’s discomfort.

• What should I do if my baby rolls to her side or stomach in the middle of the night?

  If they’re rolling to their side or tummy before they are able to complete a full roll on their own, you can return them to their back while they’re sleeping. If your baby is an independent roller, they can stay sleeping on their side or tummy.

  According to Rachel Y. Moon, MD, FAAP of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Some babies will roll onto their stomachs. You should always place your baby to sleep on their back, but if your baby is comfortable rolling both ways (back to tummy, tummy to back), then you do not have to return your baby to the back. However, be sure that there are no blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, or bumper pads around your baby, so that your baby does not roll into any of those items, which could cause blockage of airflow."

  The Zen Sack™ can also help your baby spend more time on their backs because of its gently weighted center. Not only will your baby be comfortable and safe, but you'll have some piece of mind too. You can learn more about safe sleep practices here.

• Can I still swaddle my baby if they're learning to roll over or sleeping on their side?
  No, you should not swaddle your baby once they start showing signs of rolling over. You should also not place your baby on their side to sleep if they are in a swaddle. According to Rachel Y. Moon, MD, FAAP of the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should “make sure that the baby is always on his or her back when swaddled. The swaddle should not be too tight or make it hard for the baby to breathe or move his or her hips. When your baby looks like he or she is trying to roll over, you should stop swaddling."

• When is it okay to let my baby sleep on her side or stomach?
  Your baby must know how to roll completely over (from back to tummy and back again) independently before they are safe to sleep on their side. Once they can complete a full roll on their own, it indicates they are strong enough to alter their position if they are not getting enough oxygen, making it safe for them to be sleeping on their side or stomach.

• When do babies start rolling over?

  Most babies learn to roll over somewhere between 4 and 6 months of age. However, the first signs of learning to roll over can appear as early as 3-months-old or as late as 7-months-old.

  Learning to completely roll over will take your baby a few weeks to master. First, they’ll learn how to flip over—either from their tummy to back or back to tummy. Then they’ll keep working until they can complete a full roll. It takes a lot more strength, coordination, and practice for your baby to get from their back to their tummy than it does to roll from tummy to back.

  Remember that your baby should still be sleeping on their backs until they can independently roll over and back again to prevent an increased risk of (SIDS).

• What safe sleep practices should I follow?
  1. Keep the crib clear

  Don’t worry if your baby starts rolling to their tummies while sleeping—it’s safe as long as the crib is clear. Otherwise, they could roll into a potentially suffocating situation. Place them in the crib on their backs, with no crib bumpers, pillows, loose blankets, or stuffed animals.

  2. Start to transition out of swaddling 

  If your baby is getting strong enough to roll, swaddling is no longer safe. You can follow our 4-Step Swaddle Transition plan to guide you in switching from a swaddle to a wearable blanket like the Zen Sack™, which will still help your baby sleep, but is safe for rolling babies.

  3. Don't use baby sleep positioners or wedges 

  The American Academy of Pediatrics does not endorse the use of any type of sleep positioner or wedge because of the potential increased risk of SIDS. Rolling is a natural milestone that should be encouraged. Using sleep positioners or wedges to prevent rolling can be unsafe.

  According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “there is no scientifically sound evidence to support medical claims about sleep positioners...These products—sometimes also called “nests” or “anti-roll” products—can cause suffocation (a struggle to breathe) that can lead to death." The FDA has never cleared an infant sleep positioner that claims to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS.

  4. Always place baby on their back 

  Always place them on their back. Even though your baby might be learning to roll, or maybe has already mastered it, you should still put them to sleep on their backs. If they want to, and are able, they can roll to their side or stomach on their own.

  5. Make time for tummy time 

  Daily tummy time will help your baby strengthen their neck and arm muscles so they can master rolling over on their own. In fact, most babies' first time rolling over will happen during tummy time—so have your camera ready! Additionally, giving them plenty of time to practice during the day will keep them from getting distracted by their new skill in their crib when it's time to go to sleep.

  Learn more about safe sleep practices here.

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