One big issue with rolling over is that your baby may not longer be sleeping on her back as she sleeps. Even if you continue to put her to sleep on her back, as you know to do to reduce her risk of SIDS, she may quickly roll over on to her side or stomach.
What do you do?
Well you can't stay up all night continuing to roll her to her back every time she rolls over to her stomach. In addition to being impractical, it is usually unnecessary, as once infants are rolling over well, they are usually at much less risk of SIDS.
What about crib sleep positioners, nests, and wedges? Most are only supposed to be used until your baby rolls over, so they won't help either.
You should still put her to sleep on her back though, especially since that is the way she has learned to go to sleep by now, and then let her find the position that she is most comfortable in to sleep by herself.
Although the highest risk for SIDS has past now that your baby is over four months old, you should still take steps to reduce her risk of SIDS, including not letting her get overheated, not exposing her to secondhand smoke, and:
- Always putting your baby to sleep on her back on a firm crib mattress that is covered by a sheet, without any soft objects, loose bedding, pillows, or other soft objects in the crib.
- Having your baby sleep in a crib that is close to the your bed in the same bedroom, but not in your bed.
- Consider leaving bumper pads off the crib, but if you do use them, make sure they fit all around the crib, are secured in place, and remove them once your baby can stand.
- Making sure that all caregivers are aware of these recommendations.
Rolling Over and Bassinets
The other issue with rolling over is that it is usually time to move your baby out of her bassinet and into a crib. She will also be ready to move to her nursery soon.
