Can Babies Sleep on Their Side at 4 - 6 Months?

Discussing Babies Sleeping On Their Side: Should They, When Can They & Is It Safe?

As your baby becomes more mobile, you may worry about them sleeping on their side at 4, 6, 12 months, and any interval in between. While you may be communicating with your mom and dad friends about every single thing, you probably still want more assurance. It’s common for new parents to frequently discuss every single thing their newborn is doing. From eating to pooping to sleeping, the conversation is endless. Sleeping in particular, though, is a hot topic amongst parents. Because sleep for your baby means sleep for you and your family, too. Some babies are frequent nappers, some sleep better in the morning, some seemingly don’t sleep at all. For babies that are sleeping or spending time in their crib, ensuring their safety is a top priority. Keep reading to learn more about sleep safety and if babies can sleep on their side.

Can babies sleep on their side?

Some babies seem restless while they sleep, and may end up on different sides of their sleep space with every sleep.

Babies should sleep on their back, but once they can move and roll, they can switch positions, and some may end up on their side. While you have a baby monitor, you will hopefully be capitalizing on your own sleep while baby sleeps. To keep your baby safe while they sleep, place them on their back when you put them down. Around 4-6 months they’ll start to develop some upper body strength which can support their ability to roll onto their side. The main risk of letting your baby sleep on their side is that they may roll over onto their stomach. This becomes hazardous as their nose and mouth can be covered by the mattress making it difficult to breathe. Stomach sleep can also cause them to breathe in their own exhaled air which causes their oxygen levels to drop. So if you happen to notice that your baby has rolled onto their stomach, gently put them on their back until they are able to roll over on their own.

Dressing your baby for safe sleep is also important. When your baby is showing signs of rolling over, or is rolling over, it may be time to transition them out of a swaddle. Our Dream Weighted Transition Swaddle helps transition babies from a swaddle to a sleep sack without losing sleep.

Shop Dreamland Baby Sleep Sacks & Swaddles

Is it safe to use an anti-roll pillow, rolled-up blanket, or sleep positioner for my newborn?

For warmth and comfort, you can dress them in a baby-approved onesie and swaddle or sleep sack.

The question here is if anti-roll pillows, a rolled-up blanket, or sleep positioner are safe for newborns. While you can probably assume the safest option, let’s start by discussing what these aids are.

An anti-roll pillow is designed to help keep your baby in one place, sleeping on their back. There are some forms of anti-roll pillow such as an infant lounger that are designed to keep babies laying on their backs, asleep or not, but outside of the crib.

A rolled-up blanket is what it sounds like; a regular blanket rolled up and used to help keep your baby in one spot.

A sleep positioner is essentially a mat with raised sides known as bolsters. Designed for babies 6 months of age and younger, the intention is to keep baby in one place while they sleep. Some sleep positioners may also feature a raised head.

Safe sleep is most important. While keeping your baby on their back until they can fully roll over is part of the formula, it’s best to stick to the basics. The basics include a baby monitor and swaddle or sleep sack. If you notice your baby has repositioned to their side, give them gentle assistance to roll on their back.

Is it safe to swaddle with the newborn curl?

The newborn curl is an involuntary movement when your tiny baby curls up, looking even more delicate than they are. The newborn scrunch is perfectly normal, but shouldn’t last long. During pregnancy, the baby's muscles strengthened and learned this position. As your newborn seeks comfort outside the womb, they may revert to this position. The newborn curl is not an attempt to roll over by any means.

The newborn curl or scrunch usually only lasts one to two months; the timeframe that your baby is swaddled. Swaddles are designed for newborns and are safe to use as long as they are worn properly. Our Dream Weighted Swaddle and Bamboo Classic Non-Weighted Swaddle are well-loved for many reasons, including how easy they are to use. Inside the swaddle you’ll find a waistband that can be wrapped around baby’s torso with a velcro closure. You have the option to tuck baby’s arms into the waistband or free them for arms out sleep. Once baby is secured, simply zip up the swaddle and drift off to dreamland.

Why can't babies sleep on their side?

It’s safest for babies to sleep on their back. When you put your baby to sleep on their back, chances are they will stay on their back. However, babies 1 years of age and under can roll onto their side or stomach during sleep. If you find them on their side or stomach, gently return them to their back for the safest sleep. Eventually your baby will learn to roll over on their own and when they do, it’s safe for them to roll and move in their sleep.

What happens when a baby sleeps on one side?

Babies should be placed on their back for naps and nighttime sleep. However, as they become more mobile, they may start to move. If your baby is just starting to roll, but can’t quite do it yet, you may want to keep a closer eye on them. The concern with side sleeping is that it can lead to stomach sleeping which poses a risk of suffocation. If you notice that your baby has rolled over onto their side or stomach while sleeping, gently roll them over onto their back to ensure the safest sleep. Once your baby is able to roll, it's safe for them to move in their sleep.

How can I prevent my baby from sleeping on their side?

While you may not have to worry so much about newborns sleeping on their side, you may as your baby grows. We hope you’re sleeping while your baby sleeps, and for that, you can’t monitor your baby all night long. However, what you can do is ensure their crib is free of blankets, pillow, stuffed animals, or anything else. Next, dress your baby in a swaddle or sleep sack to promote better and safer sleep. Our weighted sleep solutions help babies feel calm so they can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. While the weight does not restrict movement, the sense of calm and security of the gentle weight can help them sleep more still. It’s also important to ensure that baby’s sleep environment is comfortable from the temperature to darkness to sounds. Most babies start to roll over on their own by the time they reach 6 months. Until then, remember back to sleep for all sleep. If you see baby on their side or tummy, gently roll them onto their back.

Is it OK for a baby to sleep on their back with their head to the side?

Some parents laugh at not just how adorable their baby looks while sleeping, but also their shape while sleeping. Some babies sleep with their arms up, legs spread, other babies sleep with legs up, arms crossed, and others wake up in the exact same position you put them to sleep in. If you’re concerned that your baby is sleeping on their back with their head to the side, you don’t need to be. Unless it looks extreme and your baby appears uncomfortable, a lot of infants sleep with their head to one side when sleeping on their backs. Back sleep is the safest position always, until around 1 year old.

Should you reposition a sleeping baby?

If you notice that your baby is sleeping on their side or tummy, then yes, reposition them so they are sleeping on their back. Until your baby can roll over independently, the safest sleep is back to sleep, on a firm mattress, with nothing else in the crib to avoid accidental suffocation.

When can babies sleep on their side?

Every baby is different and develops at their own pace. Once your baby is around 4-6 months, and able to roll over on their own, then side sleeping is likely okay. Of course, if you have concerns about your baby’s sleep and notice that they tend to only want to sleep on their side, you may want to discuss with your pediatrician to make sure there are no underlying issues.