When your baby was still very young, just a month or two old, you were no doubt very careful to lay them down on their back once bed and nap time came around, having heard that this helps to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). But recently, despite having put them down on their backs, you’ve woken up to find that your tiny tot has rolled onto their stomach.

Initially, you may have been a little concerned, but it’s happened a few times now, and they always seem to be absolutely fine. So is this really something you need to be worried about?

Is it safe for my baby to sleep on their stomach?

Experts will always recommend putting a baby to sleep on their back until they’re at least 12 months old. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that once a baby is freely and independently able to roll from back to front and front to back, it is perfectly okay for them to end up on their stomach during sleep and then stay there.

Initially, you might simply feel safer gently rolling them onto their back once more, but if they develop a preference for lying on their stomach, there’s no need to do so. That being said, if your baby isn’t yet able to roll back and forth on their own and they have somehow ended up on their front, it’s safest to roll them over once more.

Now, you may be wondering: Why exactly do some babies choose to sleep on their bellies? Are there any benefits?

Are there any benefits to my baby sleeping on their stomach?

If you find that your baby is forever rolling themselves onto their tummy during sleep, chances are they simply find this position more comfortable, and that’s absolutely fine, especially if it means they’re sleeping better and for longer. And that could very well be the case, given that research suggests that babies who lie on their stomachs may get longer periods of quality sleep.

But are there any potential risks if my baby lies on their stomach?

If your baby is able to independently and easily roll themselves both onto their stomach and then onto their back, the following risks aren’t necessarily something you need to be worried about, but for younger babies, who occasionally roll over but aren’t able to regain their original position, stomach-sleeping can sometimes pose a risk. These risks include:

SIDS. Although sleeping facing downwards hasn't been proven to directly cause SIDS, it is considered a risk factor during the very first 6 months of your baby’s life or until they’re easily rolling back and forth.

Suffocation. If a baby hasn’t yet gained sufficient head control, rolling onto their stomach could obstruct their airways, eventually causing suffocation. So, if your baby shows signs of rolling, make sure to remove their arms from the swaddle as they sleep or nap, or consider moving to a sleep sack that offers more arm movement. This should make rolling more difficult and give them more freedom to move out of a dangerous position.

Overheating. Some research indicates that it’s harder for babies to release and regulate their body heat when lying on their stomachs, which could in turn lead to overheating (a risk factor for SIDS). To keep your baby cool and comfortable, dress them in a sleep sack—never covering their head or face—and check that they’re not too hot by placing a hand on their stomach. If they feel hot, remove a layer.

Obstruction of the upper airway. While it’s easy to assume that babies lying on their stomachs are less likely to choke on spit-up, the opposite is actually true, with back-sleepers being much less likely to aspirate (breathe food or fluid into the lungs).

Rebreathing. When infants are sleeping on their stomachs, they sometimes attempt to rebreathe the air that gets trapped in their bedding. This can lead to carbon dioxide buildup and, eventually, low oxygen levels. So, if a baby isn't able to roll over again, they could become unconscious. This is another reason babies shouldn’t have much in the way of bedding in their cots or baskets.

So, there are a few risks to be aware of, but as the AAP says, babies who can easily roll back and forth all on their own can and may sleep on their stomachs.

Takeaway Points:

While you should always place your baby on their back when going to sleep, a baby who can easily roll back and forth may roll over and sleep on their belly.

There are a few risks associated with babies lying on their fronts. However, if they seem to prefer this position and can easily roll back again with good control of their head and neck, you can generally leave them on their front.

When can my baby sleep on their stomach?

On Unii’s Baby Sleep Journey, we share when your child can sleep on their stomach.