Watching your baby reach new milestones is always exciting—but it can also raise a few questions, especially when it comes to their sleep. Rolling is a key developmental milestone that signals your baby is growing stronger and gaining greater control over their movements. However, it can also disrupt sleep patterns as your baby adjusts to their newfound ability. Babies may roll onto their tummies during sleep and either find it difficult to roll back or feel unsettled in this new position. This can lead to more frequent night wakings, which can leave both you and your baby feeling tired and frustrated.

As a parent, you naturally want to ensure your baby is safe, comfortable, and well-rested. You may have questions like, “Is it safe for my baby to sleep on their tummy?” or “What should I do if they keep waking up upset after rolling?” These are completely valid concerns, and here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can guide your baby through this transition smoothly, helping them feel comfortable and secure while they develop their rolling skills and adapt to their preferred sleep positions.
It’s important to note that this guide is not about implementing rigid sleep training techniques or forcing your baby into a particular sleep routine. Instead, it focuses on empowering your baby to develop their natural skills while ensuring their safety and comfort. It’s about working with your baby’s developmental milestones, not against them, and creating a supportive sleep environment that fosters growth and independence.
If your baby has started to roll, or is beginning to show signs of rolling, and you're looking for some practical and safe tips to use to reduce the impact that rolling has on your baby's sleep, then this blog is for you.
Here are my favourite tips for managing rolling when in the cot:
Follow the Red Nose Safe Sleep Guidelines
The Red Nose Safe Sleep Guidelines provide reassurance for parents navigating this phase. According to their recommendations, it is safe for your baby to sleep on their tummy if:
they roll into that position themselves,
they can roll both back to front, and front to back
are not swaddled
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-do-we-do-now-that-a-baby-has-started-to-roll-over
With these in mind, if your baby rolls onto their tummy during sleep, you don’t need to panic or rush to flip them over. Instead, allow them to stay in that position, provided their sleep environment meets safety standards.
To ensure your baby’s safety while they explore new sleeping positions, make sure their sleep environment is:
Firm and Flat: Use a firm mattress with a well-fitted sheet. Avoid soft surfaces or items that could pose a suffocation risk.
Free of Hazards: Remove pillows, blankets, toys, and any other loose items from the cot.
Ventilated: Ensure that your baby’s face is clear and unobstructed, allowing them to breathe freely.
A safe sleep environment gives you peace of mind while your baby figures out their preferred sleep positions.

Support Your Baby Through the Transition
While some babies naturally settle on their tummies and sleep soundly, others may become upset or frustrated when they find themselves in this new position. You can guide your baby through this transition by implementing a few factors.
If your baby rolls onto their tummy and appears uncomfortable or upset, give them a minute to try and find comfort in their new position. If they’re still struggling, gently guide them back onto their back by positioning their body to assist their roll, rather than picking them up and placing them flat. This approach encourages them to stay involved in the rolling process and builds their confidence in managing their movements.
Every day or two, gradually increase the amount of time you wait before stepping in to help them roll back. Start by waiting 30 seconds before assisting and extend that time by another 30 seconds every few days. This teaches your baby to either find comfort on their tummy or practice rolling back independently. Avoid rushing in every time, as this can inadvertently signal to your baby that they’re not meant to sleep on their tummy, leading to ongoing sleep disruptions.
Encourage Daytime Rolling Practice
Daytime is the perfect opportunity to help your baby master their rolling skills so as they become more proficient with rolling, they can then apply this skill for their sleep time. You can incorporate practice into their daily routine:
Tummy Time: Offer plenty of tummy time, which helps strengthen the muscles needed for rolling. Start with short sessions and gradually increase as your baby gets stronger.
Rolling Games: Engage your baby in playful rolling exercises. Gently guide them from back to tummy and vice versa, making it a fun experience.
Floor Freedom: Give your baby lots of time to explore movement on a safe, flat surface. The more opportunities they have to practice rolling, the more confident and comfortable they’ll become.
Build on their muscle memory: By offering lots of practicing, and placing their limbs in to the positions needed to be able to roll, and then lightly assisting in their rolling, it will build the muscle memory and mobility needed to move freely in their cot, eventually finding and maintaining their preferred sleep position.

Allow for Sleep Autonomy
If you are attempting to settle your baby on their sleep surface and they are continually rolling, allow them the movement they need to get into a comfortable position. As the parent, your role is to facilitate their opportunity to become drowsy and fall asleep in a position that is comfortable for them.
During this transitional phase, refrain from restraining your baby on their sleep surface or stopping them from rolling, even if it seems to disrupt their sleep. If your baby appears content and comfortable in their sleep environment, provide them with the patience and freedom necessary to transition into sleep.
When your baby starts rolling onto their tummy in the cot, it’s a sign of growth and progress! Remember, this phase won’t last forever. Like all milestones, rolling onto their tummy during sleep is part of your baby’s development, and they’ll quickly learn to navigate this new ability. By creating a safe sleep environment, offering gentle guidance, and encouraging plenty of daytime practice, you’re setting the stage for restful nights and confident sleepers.
Shereen xx
If you'd like to chat to discuss your situation, understand how I can help and explore your options for a 1:1 consultation, please book in for a free 15 minute Discovery Call:
I'm Shereen Nielsen, a certified Sleep Consultant specialising in infants and children from birth to 15 years old. With over seven years of experience, I've assisted over 4000 families in achieving better sleep. Additionally, I serve as a lecturer and mentor, guiding aspiring sleep consultants on their path to certification through my internationally recognised online Sleep Consultant Course.
Phone: +61419820474
Email: hello@shereennielsen.com
Website: www.shereennielsen.com
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