What to do if the child rolls over in the crib

Babies should sleep on their backs to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. The leading cause of death in infants is sudden infant death syndrome associated with sleeping on the stomach. But when your baby starts to roll over on his own, should you move him or leave him?

When do babies start to roll over?

Babies usually learn to roll over between four and seven months. By practicing tummy time, your child begins to strengthen their core, arms, and neck muscles. As they experiment with movement, they will learn how to roll from front-to-back and back-to-front.

Why is back sleeping safer?

Experts recommend that babies sleep on their backs until they are one year old. This includes daytime sleep and night time. Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome.

Sleeping on your tummy and side is more dangerous because your baby's face may turn toward the surface of his crib, cutting off air. At this stage, young children may not develop the natural reflex to move and regain access to oxygen. When your baby is lying on his back, even if he turns his head to the side, he does not cut off the air supply, pressing his face against something.

Also, sleeping on your stomach increases the risk of suffocation for your baby. When your baby sleeps on their back, the trachea is in line with the top of the esophagus. In this position, it is more difficult for the child to suffocate, because everything that spit up has to work against gravity.

When the stomach is asleep, the trachea is located below the esophagus. Anything that burps accumulates at the entrance to the lungs, increasing the risk of suffocation.

Should I prevent the baby from rolling over?

You can go check on your baby and find that he has rolled over on his side or on his stomach in his crib. In this case, it is not necessary to shift the sleeping baby from another position to the back. It is important to always lay your baby down so that he sleeps on his back, but if he moves on his own, it's okay.

Once your child learns to roll over on his own, you can be sure that he has enough strength and development to move if his airway is obstructed. However, it is still important to make sure there is no suffocation hazard in the crib. It includes:

Blankets and duvets
Pillows
Comforters
Toys
Bumper pads

Remember that professionals also advise against using sleep positioners or supportive pillows.

Additional sleep safety concerns

If you're worried about your child getting cold at night, wear legged pajamas to keep him warm. Many parents also use diapers to give their babies a sense of security and extra warmth. You can also securely swaddle your baby until he can roll over on his own.

As soon as he starts to roll over, stop swaddling him so he can move freely in case he needs to get out of a position that is blocking his airway. The diaper should fit snugly against the baby's body, with no loose parts that could cover the baby's face.

If your child ever spends the night away from you with grandparents, family or friends, make sure they have a safe place to sleep. Talk to them about safe sleep rules so they put your baby on their back and follow the safe sleep rules. Remind them that these recommendations apply not only to nighttime sleep, but also to daytime sleep.