Babies should always be put to sleep on their backs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics "Back to Sleep" campaign. But once your baby is mobile, he may prefer to sleep on his tummy, and you might notice that when you go to him in the morning, he's on his belly. You can help prevent your baby from sleeping on his tummy by making sure that you follow precautions against adding items to a baby's bed and doing what you can to help your baby feel secure and comfortable without needing to sleep on his back.
Step 1
Place your baby in her crib when she is very drowsy or asleep. Waiting until she is ready to go to sleep or is already asleep lessens the chance that she'll roll around in her crib and try to get onto her tummy.
Step 2
Swaddle your baby with a specially made blanket that has Velcro fasteners to keep the blanket snug and away from baby's mouth and nose. Swaddling can give your baby the feeling of comfort that he may be searching for while lying on his tummy. It also confines his arms so they can't support him as he rolls onto his belly.
Step 3
Cover rolled-up towels with a tight sheet to keep them secure, and then place your baby between them to keep her on her back. Neonatal Intensive Care Units often employ this method of keeping babies on their backs. Make sure that no loose ends stick out that could cover your baby's nose or mouth.
Step 4
Place your hand on your baby's tummy while he falls asleep. This can give him the sensation of having pressure on his belly and of lying on his tummy if that is his preferred sleep position.
Step 5
Peek at your baby throughout the night; if you notice that he's slipped onto his belly, gently return him to his back and soothe him back to sleep.
Things You'll Need
- Swaddling blanket
- Towels
