When is it Safe for Babies to Sleep on their Tummy?
When is it Safe for Babies to Sleep on their Tummy?
When your baby begins to roll, parents often go in and turn them over multiple times a night. This can get exhausting especially for parents of babies who were previously sleeping through the night and are now up during the night practicing their rolling skills.
The Public Health Agency of Canada states that you should always place your baby on your back to sleep, for every sleep. Once your baby can roll independently and is not swaddled, you do not need to move your baby onto their back if they roll on to their side or tummy while sleeping.
There may be times when your baby rolls to their tummy independently but gets stuck and upset. This is an opportunity where you would want to go back into their room and roll them back over so they can get some sleep.
If you notice your baby is rolling to their tummy, ensure you do the following:
Remove the Swaddle – safety first! Making the transition from a swaddle can be a challenging phase. Know that it will not last forever and your little one will get used to sleeping without being swaddled. This is a good time to transition to a sleep sack.
Practice Skills During the Day – Use the time during your baby’s wake windows to practice tummy time. Practice rolling both ways (front to back and back to front). Practicing these skills will help your baby master rolling faster.
Let Them Be – if your baby has rolled onto their tummy for sleep and are not swaddled or upset, you can leave them to sleep in this position.
Does Tummy Time Help my Baby Sleep Better?
Yes! Practicing tummy time (even if your little one doesn’t like it) will help your baby sleep better. You will want to practice the skill multiple times a day starting with a few minutes and working your way up. Try and incorporate 30 minutes of tummy time throughout your day.
Benefits of Tummy Time:
Builds Sleep Pressure – tummy time is hard work for a baby. Practicing this skill gets them tired, which will help them sleep better.
Physical Development – practicing tummy time is vital to mastering many milestones your baby will experience.
Fosters Independent Play – participating in tummy time allows your child to experience different textures, visuals and sounds which helps to develop the brain.
If you are still struggling with sleep for your child, know that you are not alone, and we are here to help. Book a Discovery Call with us today!
Sleep Well,
Alana Metallo
Certified Sleep Consultant
