Is it OK for a baby to sleep on their stomach?

Babies should be placed on their backs to sleep during the first year []. But once they can roll both ways on their own, it’s generally OK to leave them on their stomach if they roll there themselves. In this article, we will discuss when babies can sleep on their stomachs, along with the risks of tummy sleeping (before babies can roll both ways) and how to encourage your little one to stay snoozing on their back before that.

Reasons babies shouldn’t be placed on their stomachs to sleep

To help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing babies under 1 year old on their backs to sleep. This guidance has evolved significantly over the decades — the Back to Sleep campaign, launched in the early 1990s, led to a dramatic decline in SIDS rates []. Baby stomach sleeping (or tummy sleeping) is associated with a higher risk for several reasons.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) — also known as sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) — refers to the unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year old. The AAAP explains that SIDS may be linked to a baby’s difficulty waking from sleep. [] 

Placing babies on their backs to sleep significantly lowers the risk of SIDS.

Increased risk of suffocation

When a baby sleeps on their belly, they may rebreathe the air they’ve already exhaled. This can lead to higher carbon dioxide levels and lower oxygen levels in the body [], increasing the risk of suffocation.

Babies sleeping on their backs are less likely to rebreathe expired air and can maintain more stable oxygen levels.

Overheating

A baby sleeping on their stomach may become overheated, especially if they are unable to reposition themselves. Research has found that overheating is associated with a greater risk of SIDS. []

A supine (face-up) sleep position has been linked to lower body temperature in infants.

Choking concerns

When a baby lies on their stomach, gravity can cause regurgitated fluids to collect near the airway, potentially increasing the likelihood of choking.

Back sleeping keeps the airway positioned above the esophagus, which helps reduce this risk.

What to do if your baby rolls onto their stomach during sleep 

Seeing your baby roll onto their stomach while sleeping can be startling. The right response depends on whether they can reposition themselves independently and where they are in the rolling process.

The AAP recommends always placing babies on their backs to start sleep. After that, what you do depends on their skills.

Here’s how to handle common rolling situations:

Find more details below: 

If your baby can roll both ways

If your baby can consistently roll from back to tummy and tummy to back, the AAP  says it’s OK to leave them on their stomach if they roll there on their own during sleep [] — but continue placing them on their back at the start of every sleep.

Once your baby can roll (or shows signs they’re close), the AAP advises it’s as a safety precaution, as their arms need to be free so they can adjust their position.

If rolling is still a work in progress

If your baby rolls onto their tummy but can’t yet roll back, they may wake up frustrated.

You can pause briefly to see if they’re able to reposition themselves. If not, gently turn them onto their back. If you’re comfortable, you might give them a moment to try settling back to sleep after you reposition them.

This stage is usually short-lived as rolling skills strengthen.

Practice rolling during awake time

Rolling is a new skill, and like any milestone, it improves with practice. Offering plenty of supervised during the day can help your baby build coordination and confidence.

You can also let your baby practice rolling briefly in their sleep space while fully awake and supervised. Exploring the crib or bassinet from different angles can make nighttime position changes feel less surprising to little ones.

If you’re concerned about development

Babies reach milestones on their own timelines. If you’re worried your baby isn’t rolling yet (or if something about their movement seems uneven or delayed), reach out to your pediatrician. Routine well-child visits are a great time to check in and ask questions.

Rolling can temporarily disrupt sleep

Learning to roll is one of the first major motor milestones. As your baby practices this new skill, it’s common to see short-term sleep changes — like extra wake-ups or frustration after rolling onto their stomach.

This phase is usually temporary. With time and practice, most babies grow more comfortable moving in their sleep space.

If sleep feels especially challenging

If rolling is significantly disrupting your baby’s sleep — or you’re unsure how to respond overnight — extra support from Huckleberry can help.

(available through a Premium subscription) can help answer questions about safe sleep, bedtime routines, sleep development, and more — even when you’re up at 2 AM. You can also submit for a personalized, step-by-step Sleep Plan to address specific sleep challenges. 

When can babies sleep on their stomachs? Signs they are ready

It's best to always lay babies on their backs for naps and nighttime sleep until they turn one year old. But don't worry — if your little one or tummy on their own and can roll both ways, it's generally OK to leave them be.

Safe sleep tips for babies 

Following safe sleep guidance from the AAP can significantly reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS. While the recommendations may feel detailed, they’re designed to create a simple, predictable, and safe sleep environment for your baby.

Here’s a quick-reference overview of the AAP’s 2022 policy recommendations []:

Choosing to bed-share 

Many families choose to bed-share, and if that works for your family, these precautions can help keep your baby safer []:

• All adults in the bed are sober and don’t smoke

• Your baby is in good health and full-term

• Your baby is placed on their back to sleep, lightly dressed, and unswaddled

• The sleep surface is firm, flat, and free of pillows, heavy blankets, and soft items

• Never place your baby on a sofa, armchair, or other unsafe surface

As always, your pediatrician can help you weigh what’s right for your family.

Talking to caregivers about safe sleep

If other caregivers will be putting your baby down to sleep — such as grandparents, friends, babysitters, or daycare providers — it’s important to ensure everyone follows the same safe sleep practices.

Why this matters:

• Many caregivers who raised children in earlier decades were taught to place babies on their stomachs to sleep.

• Stomach sleeping was common before the Back to Sleep campaign began in the early 1990s.

• As a result, some caregivers may not be familiar with updated safe sleep recommendations or the risks linked to older practices.

Approaching the conversation with empathy can go a long way. Sleep guidance has changed over time as research has evolved. 

Sharing that these guidelines are grounded in can make the conversation feel less personal and more focused on safety. By having these discussions ahead of time, you can feel more confident that your baby’s sleep space remains safe — even when you’re not there. 

The importance of tummy time

Once your little one can roll both ways, the risk of stomach sleeping decreases significantly. The best way to help them learn is through plenty of !

By 2 months old, we recommend babies get around 15 - 30 minutes of supervised each day. Spending time on their belly helps build core, neck, shoulder, and arm strength, all of which they need to roll, sit up, crawl, and eventually walk. Tummy time also plays a key role in developing your baby’s motor skills and can help prevent flat spots on their head from sleeping on their back.

Some babies simply don’t like being on their tummies, and that’s normal! To make it a little more enjoyable, try placing a book or toy in front of them, lying them tummy-to-tummy or across your lap, and limiting tummy time to just a few minutes spread throughout the day. It’s also best to avoid tummy time if your baby is tired or fussy. (Right after a nap works best!)

What should I do if my baby refuses to sleep on their back? 

If your infant loves to doze off , you’re not alone — especially in the newborn days, when sleep is unpredictable by design. While safe sleep guidelines recommend placing babies on their backs in a crib or bassinet, some families find the transition tricky as babies get older and develop stronger sleep preferences.

If back sleeping is a struggle, a personalized sleep plan can help. Our pediatric sleep experts create step-by-step guidance tailored to your family’s sleep needs.

Takeaway

• Back to sleep: The AAP recommends placing your baby on their back to start every sleep during the first year.

• Rolling changes the response: If your baby can roll both ways, it’s generally OK to leave them on their stomach if they rolled there on their own.

• Still mastering rolling? If your baby can’t yet roll both ways, gently return them to their back if they roll onto their tummy, which is in line with current AAP safe sleep practices.

• Keep the sleep space clear: In addition to making sure your baby is in a safe sleep position, also use a firm, flat surface and keep the crib or bassinet free of loose items to reduce the risk of suffocation and SIDS.

• When in doubt, check in: Reach out to your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s development.