If she cannot on her own, you can assist her to roll and then fade away your response (perhaps leave the room, perhaps sit in a chair close by, perhaps resume soothing at the side of the crib). For example, if she flips over and starts to fuss, you may respond and lean over her crib and “shhhh”, rub her back, and murmur some coaching words to help her reposition. As you begin the sleep training method that feels right to YOU and YOUR family, incorporate rescue rolls and assistance at each time you offer soothing to your baby if she is still unable to reposition herself. If they don’t AND your baby is old enough to start some sleep training, it may be necessary now. As she masters the skill, coach and assist less and let her take over! For many babies, once the new skill is mastered, the novelty of flipping over wears off quickly and in just a few nights of disruption and assistance from their parents things go back to normal. As you reposition your baby try to coach/guide/half assist her back onto her back for more comfortable sleeping and practice the skill of rolling tummy to back during tummy time in the daytime. If your baby is stuck on her tummy – please rescue her! Sure, this might mean repositioning her every 60-90 minutes (or even more) during some parts of the night, especially the last part of the night but we don’t want your baby stuck on her tummy. The Real Life Challenges: If your baby rolled over happily and snuggled in for sleep on her tummy in a safe crib (as she probably will when she’s 9-12 months, maybe sooner) things would be great! The problem is when young babies roll over and then become stuck or uncomfortable OR their parents have some anxiety which prevents them from sleeping when their baby it learning to roll. If she rolls herself into a preferred sleeping position independently, she’s “allowed” to sleep there! Your job is to make her crib as safe as you can – no swaddles or suits, no blankets, pillows, bumpers, strings, ties, toys, wedges or positioners, soft mattresses, etc – and continue to practice tummy time during the day! At time of publication of this blog the recommendation is to place your infant on her back to sleep for all sleep episodes during the first year. Next, familiarize yourself with current AAP safety recommendations. If you had been, you’ll want to stop using a mobile at this time too in anticipation of the next milestone of pulling up and reaching/grabbing. You may wish to transition into a Merlin Sleep Suit to help keep your baby positioned on her back for longer if she’s rolling very young. Take a look at our swaddle and swaddle transition blogs for information on how to do this. First things first –if your baby is learning to roll and it seems she may be able to roll while swaddled, you’ll need to stop swaddling her now. The Sleep: Rolling causes sheer panic in many parents who are aware of the AAP recommendation that sleeping your baby on her back is safer.
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