thread: Rolling onto his tummy to sleep?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Central Coast NSW
    2,160

    Question Rolling onto his tummy to sleep?

    Background: DS2 is 7 months and I have been letting him fall asleep in the cot, as opposed to breastfeeding until asleep and putting him on his back. I sit/stand next to the cot and stroke/pat/sing. He rolls about, has a chatter, has a grizzle and then rolls onto his tummy, relaxes and (eventually) falls asleep (this can take a while )

    So, my question, is it ok for him to be on his tummy? He is in a sleeping bag, there is no other bedding in the cot... I'm a bit of a SiDS worrier (a few people thought it would be helpful to tell me sad/tragic/horror stories ) I also have an Angelcare monitor....

    I looked on the SiDs and Kids website but they really didn't say much, I guess they don't want to say its ok? They did say babies over 6 months can find their comfortable position, but to still put them on their backs.... Can someone reassure me please?

  2. #2

    Mar 2004
    Sparta
    12,662

    I think that once they can roll freely you can't really stop them from sleeping on their tummies.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Home, where else??
    1,177

    Both my boys were tummy sleepers as soon as they could roll over.

    They are 5 and 3 now and they are still tummy sleepers


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  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    Perfectly fine and normal.
    They often find it more secure and comforting to sleep on their bellies, and if he can roll into and out of the position, or at least has good head control, then I wouldn't worry. A nice flat and non-quilted surface and a clear space in the cot and then there isn't much you can do to prevent it, and if he is comfy - and safe - then don't try.
    I personally would take him out of the sleeping bag and start dressing him warmer and using a blanket. Just me, but both of my girls (who have been tummy sleepers since birth) found the sleeping bag VERY restrictive to their movements when rolling in the cot, and TBH I felt the sleeping bag itself was more of a safety concern than the tummy sleeping itself, itms.

    Anyway, totally normal behaviour, and if you are keeping the cot clear and he has the ability to move his own head, then he should be fine.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Add Little Chicken on Facebook

    Mar 2010
    Melbourne
    1,855

    If they can roll and lift their heads they should be fine. Once they find their comfy sleeping position, short of tying him down, you won't be able to stop him rolling onto his tummy,

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Central Coast NSW
    2,160

    Thanks, logically I realise I can't do much about it, but the "sleep on their back" message is just so strong iykwim.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    Melbourne
    3,244

    I remember when ds did it for the first time, dp and I stood over the cot trying to decide whether or not to turn him over I asked our mchn who said once they can lift their heads and find their own position to lie then they're usually ok.

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  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    4,895

    I think that once they can roll freely you can't really stop them from sleeping on their tummies.
    This is what happened with my DD. Once she could roll, she preferred being on her tummy & if I flipped her back she'd just wak up or roll back to her tummy again. By that stage she was in a sleeping bag and she used to move about her cot alot, so not much I could do about it.

    I'd just follow all the other SIDS guidelines - make sure mattress is firm, not too hot in the room etc...