Tummy sleeping is generally considered okay if your baby has already developed the ability to roll over both ways consistently and has been initially placed on their back to sleep in a safe sleep environment.
Here's a breakdown:
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Back to Sleep Initially: Always place your baby on their back to sleep until they can reliably roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. This is the safest practice to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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Rolling Over: Once your baby can consistently roll both ways, it's generally considered safe for them to sleep in whatever position they are comfortable in, even if that's on their tummy.
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Safe Sleep Environment: Regardless of sleep position, always ensure a safe sleep environment:
- Firm Mattress: Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib.
- No Loose Items: Keep the crib free of blankets, pillows, toys, and crib bumpers. These items pose a suffocation risk.
- Alone, On Back, In a Crib (ABCs of Safe Sleep): Follow this guideline until your baby can consistently roll over.
- No Overheating: Dress your baby in light clothing to avoid overheating.
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Before Rolling: Before your baby can roll over, tummy sleeping is not recommended due to the increased risk of SIDS.
In short, tummy sleeping is acceptable after your baby can confidently roll both ways and is put to sleep in a safe environment, having been initially placed on their back. Prior to this milestone, back sleeping is the safest option.
