Q&A Forum

29/1/24

Jamie-Lee

Hello, My baby just turned 4 months old and has mastered rolling from her back to her belly with ease and she has good neck control. She is currently unable to roll from belly to back. Since developing this skill, she is constantly rolling onto either her side or stomach to sleep. My partner and I are barely getting any sleep as one of us always stays awake to watch her and roll her back onto her back as needed. We are so stressed and exhausted. I've read your article about rolling and note it states: 'Once baby can roll confidently from front to back, and from back to front, continue to settle them on their back, but allow them to find their own natural sleeping position. Once baby is able to roll in both directions, it is not necessary to wake during the night to turn baby over to the back position. It can be very nerve racking once baby is starting to roll! If baby can roll in both directions unaided – that is they are able to roll onto their side/front and then back onto their back themselves, then it is ok to put baby to sleep on their back and let them find their own natural sleeping position. If baby can only roll unaided in one direction, then you should gently roll them back on to their back whenever you see they have rolled onto their front or side.' From this advice, given the fact that my baby can only roll unaided in 1 direction, staying awake appears to be our only option. Otherwise we will go 4-6 hours without waking between feeds and her sleeping position will be unknown. Is there any thing else we can do to ensure safe sleep for our little one while we also get some shut eye? Her cot environment follows all safe sleep guidelines. Thank you

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Posted a response on 30/1/24

Red Nose Education

Most babies will be rolling over by 4- 5 months. This is very normal as babies grow & become stronger.
Many babies then prefer to sleep on their side or tummy.
This is not something that needs to be stopped. It is important to make her new environment as safe as possible.
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-do-we-do-now-that-a-baby-has-started-to-roll-over

Have you ceased swaddling her?
Babies need their arms free & the space of a cot to roll well.
How does she go with tummy time when awake? Is she holding her head well &/or reaching for toys?
Is the cot mattress firm & flat?
What happens when you roll her back?
Does she roll/wriggle around the cot (or floor) when awake?
Always still place her on his back for sleep.

Have a read of the Red Nose information now that he is rolling . 
“Give baby extra tummy time to play when awake and supervised as this helps baby to develop stronger neck and upper body muscles which in turn enables them to roll back over.
Make sure that baby is on a firm and well-fitting mattress that is flat (not tilted or elevated).
Make sure that baby’s face and head remains uncovered (do not use lambswool, doonas, pillows, cot bumpers or soft toys)

As babies grow and develop, they become very active and learn to roll around the cot.
At this time, continue to put them on the back at the start of sleep time, but let them find their own position of comfort”
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-do-we-do-now-that-a-baby-has-started-to-roll-over

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