Jo
Hi, I am a little confused as to which advice to take.. My 5.5month old daughter is rolling from back to tummy in cot whilst self settling. She is unable to roll tummy to back as yet and she can become very frustrated. We have been going in to her and placing her back on her back. She also sometimes rolls onto her tummy during the night and sleeps that way, again, when we notice this, we go in and flip her over. I have been reading lots of other questions on this forum relating to this, and mostly the answer is that they do not need to be flipped back over... But I just read on the website.. "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" So, just unsure which advice to take...? Thanks
Red Nose Education
Sometimes information does sound a little confusing.
Rolling for babies is a bit of a process - like sitting/crawling/walking it takes time to be able to do well.
When baby attempts to roll & looks like being successful, then the following is appropriate.
Move baby from bassinet to cot - baby needs space of cot to roll well.
Cease swaddling/wrapping - baby needs arms free.
Increase tummy time when awake to continue to build upper body strength.
** Always place baby on back for sleep - even when rolling.
Ensure mattress is firm, well-fitting & flat (not elevated)
Nothing loose or soft in the cot for now.
Do not use any devices designed to keep baby in a particular sleep position.
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-do-we-do-now-that-a-baby-has-started-to-roll-over
By 4-5mths most babies will be rolling & prefer to sleep on their side or tummy - eventually they will be rolling both ways well.
At this time you can leave baby sleeping in their preferred position.
There is nothing wrong with rolling baby back from side or tummy, but eventually they will resist & roll back to their preferred position.
You are not expected to be awake all night to turn baby back, but continue to always place baby on back for sleep, in their own safe environment.