Stephanie
Hi, I have a 12 week old daughter who is rolling tummy to back, but not back to tummy. She is currently sleeping in a bassinet in our room, and her cot is set up in her room. She sleeps in her cot during the day for naps but in the bassinet overnight. I am aware of the recommendation for babies to sleep in parents room for at least 6 months but she needs to be moved out of the bassinet now she's rolling. Are we safer moving her to the cot in her own room or setting up a portacot in our bedroom for nights? We would be able to sleep in the adjacent room if she was to move into her own room in the cot.
Red Nose Education
Red Nose does recommend moving baby from a bassinet to cot (and to cease wrapping/swaddling) once rolling.
It is important that baby has the space of a cot & arms free to roll safely.
Most babies will be rolling over by 4- 5 months - some earlier. This is very normal as babies grow & become stronger.
Many babies then prefer to sleep on their tummy or side.
This is not something that needs to be stopped. It is important to make her new environment as safe as possible.
Once she is in her cot, ensure that the cot mattress is firm & flat & there is nothing soft or loose in the cot,
You could use a portacot for night time sleeps in your room, but remember that portable cots are generally recommended for temporary sleeps due to the wear & tear on a portacot (unlike like household cots)
Always continue to place baby on back to sleep.
Increasing tummy time when awake.
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-do-we-do-now-that-a-baby-has-started-to-roll-over
Many parents do use a bassinet for the first few months to facilitate room sharing, however, this is not always suitable, especially now that your baby is rolling.
Most bassinets are unsuitable for babies beyond 3-4 mths of age & a cot is important once baby is rolling.
Red Nose does recommend Room Sharing for the first 6 - 12 months as a way of reducing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)
However, the baby’s sleep environment would take priority over room sharing.
Red Nose has the following information
Parents are not expected to observe their baby constantly.
If your baby is sleeping in a separate room check baby regularly to ensure that the baby remains on the back and the head and face remain uncovered (as baby grows beyond 5-6 months they will move around the cot and roll over; settle baby to sleep on their back but let them find the sleep position they feel most comfortable in.
The protective effect of room sharing can be partially explained by increased adult supervision and observation of the baby.
Room-sharing facilitates a rapid response to a baby’s needs, and supports breastfeeding, and is more convenient settling and comforting of babies. It also provides closer mother-baby contact and communication.