Q&A Forum

20/11/22

Kate

My 4 month old has started rolling but prefers to roll in one direction but can roll both. She is not rolling tummy to back purposefully/independently. Baby loves to settle and sleep on tummy and side. Is this ok?

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Posted a response on 21/11/22

Red Nose Education

Most babies will be rolling over by 4- 5 months…...some earlier, some later. 
This is 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 environment as safe as possible.
** This new environment involves being in a cot (not a bassinet) & in a sleeping bag with arms out.
She needs the space of a cot & arms free to be able to roll well & safely.

Also, nothing soft &/or padded in the cot at this stage.
**Always continue to place baby on back for sleep.
Increase tummy time when awake especially if you are concerned. to continue to build upper body strength

Red Nose has the following general information now that she 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.
By this stage it is not necessary to wake during the night to turn baby over to the back position

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

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