When Can Babies Sleep on Their Side?

Adults often sleep on their sides, but is side-sleeping safe for babies? Find out when it’s OK for your baby to start sleeping on their side, what to do if your little one rolls over in the night and why back-sleeping is recommended as the safest position for your baby in the first 12 months.

Is It OK for Babies to Be Put to Sleep on Their Sides?

Babies should not be put down to sleep on their sides for at least the first year. Although side-sleeping may have been considered OK for newborn babies and infants in the past, research in the past few decades has shown that this position isn’t as safe as back-sleeping. This is because babies sleeping on their side can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is when a young baby passes away unexpectedly for no apparent reason, and is a higher risk in the first 6 months.

Why Shouldn’t Babies Sleep on Their Sides?

If your little one nods off on their side, it’s very easy for them to roll over onto their tummy. That can be dangerous, as sleeping on the stomach may block their airways and make it harder for them to breathe properly.

Research has shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs are at a greater risk of SIDS. This is why it’s important to place your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps.

What if Your Baby Rolls on Their Side During Sleep?

Babies sometimes roll over onto their side or tummy while asleep. If you notice this happening, there’s no cause for alarm – just gently roll your infant onto their back again.

Do this during the first year until your child finds it easy to roll over both ways – from front to back, and then back again – unaided.

Read more about when babies typically start learning to roll over by themselves.

How to Prevent Side-Sleeping in the First 12 Months

There’s no way to prevent your baby from rolling onto the side or stomach during sleep, but what you can do is ensure that you always put your drowsy little one down to sleep on their back.

If your infant happens to roll onto the side or stomach, gently roll them back.

Keep doing this during the first year until you are confident your baby can roll over both ways without any difficulty.

Reducing the Risk of SIDS

These days, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is extremely uncommon, thanks to what we know about keeping babies safe while they sleep.

Follow these safe sleeping guidelines to reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Always put your baby to sleep on their back

• Sleep in the same room as your baby until at least 6 months old

• Put your baby to sleep in a cot with a firm, properly fitting mattress covered by a tight-fitting sheet

• Keep the cot empty — no duvets, pillows, hard or soft toys, sleeping wedges or bumpers

• Make sure your child is not overdressed or underdressed for sleep, and that the bedroom is a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Around 18 degrees Celsius is ideal.

When Can Babies Sleep on Their Sides?

Once your little one turns one year old and they're capable of rolling over from back to front and then back again, you can rest assured that side-sleeping is generally safe for them.

Still, you should always put your baby on their back and use a supportive crib mattress with a fitted sheet.

And during their first year, be sure to avoid loose bedding, bumpers, blankets, pillows or soft toys in the cot. An empty cot is safest.

The Bottom Line

For at least the first year after your baby is born, always place your little one on their back for every sleep. Back-sleeping is the safest sleeping position for your baby, as it greatly reduces the risk of SIDS.

If your baby does roll onto their side or stomach during sleep, gently return them to the back position. Continue to do this until your baby is able to comfortably roll over in both directions.

To help you monitor your baby's sleep, try the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers. It's a helpful app that tracks your baby's sleeping patterns and provides tips for better sleep, so both you and your little one can have sweet dreams!