Side or tummy sleeping: is it safe for my baby?

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 when your baby wants to sleep on their side.

In This Article

What’s happening?

Is it Normal?

How to be ready?

Common Questions from New Parents

What’s happening?

At 4 to 6 months old, putting your baby to sleep 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 they do nod off, you may find baby stomach sleeping .

Baby Sleeping On Side - Is it normal?

Side sleeping is a completely normal sleeping position for baby - but more than a little nerve-wracking for mom and dad.

Until your baby has mastered a complete roll, the sleeping position should be sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Babies who can roll independently can start safely tummy or side sleeping.

What to expect—and how to be ready

Baby Rolls - 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 and it can lead to increases the risks.

Babies sleep - Baby rolls 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 and keep things safe when your baby sleeps.

Becoming a tummy sleeper

Once she’s an independent roller, your baby might prefer to sleep on her side or stomach sleeping all the time. other than back sleeping.

Bottom line: It’s still safest to lay baby down on their back for nap time and bedtime. Putting your little one to bed on their stomach isn’t safe at any time in the first year of life — and placing them in a side-sleeping position is unfortunately a quick way to get to the stomach. Tummy time is for when your baby is wide awake and ready to exercise with you. - Heathline

We have curated a complete guide to tummy time with easy to follow infographics by age. Visit this guide to learn why it matters, how early to start, duration of this crucial exercise by age and helpful tips.

If during the baby's sleep they can roll from back to tummy and back again on her own, it’s safe to leave baby sleeping.

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.

Other Resources

Healthychildren.Org: Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play

American Academy of Pediatrics: Practice Tummy Time

Commonly asked questions about tummy sleeping

• 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.
  
  Additionally, baby's head may develop flat spots if baby's head position is on one side every night.
  
  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 fall asleep.
  
  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 sleeps on their side or stomach after I put them down?

  Regardless of your baby's sleep preference, 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 baby wakes and moves on their own later.
  
  If your baby seems to like sleeping on their side better than their back, try: A swaddle, as this 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 sleeping on 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 while back and side sleeping, but you'll have some peace 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 or side sleeping.
  
  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 tummy or side sleeping..

• 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 rather than side sleeping until they can independently roll over and back again to prevent an increased risk of (SIDS)..

• What safe sleep practices should I follow to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

  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, baby's head 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 on a firm sleep surface. Even though your baby might be learning to roll, or maybe has already mastered it, putting babies on their back to sleep is the safest move. 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..

You might also like...

ABC's of safe sleep

4-Step Swaddle Transition Plan

When can I stop worrying about SIDS?

4 month sleep regression 

Sleep Training Guide: How to sleep train

Ask the Experts: Co-sleeping