6 month old on side

[ItsTheTreasure]

DS is 6 months. HATES sleeping on his back, has been napping in my arms and co sleeping but now it's giving me a bad back and we can't visit family as no suitable beds for co sleeping.

So decided to try and get a bedtime routine and him sleeping in cot (co sleeper next to me). He can't settle and had his legs in the air so I helped him roll to his side and he fell asleep instantly. Is this safe? He can easily hold head up and roll back to front but not great at rolling front to back.

I know the guidelines say once they move themselves it's fine, but I helped him, so I'm not sure?! Thanks

If he can hold his head up easily then that's absolutely fine. If you're concerned maybe keep an eye on him for a hour or two and see how he moves if he tries to turn his head etc but should honestly be fine.

My DD slept on front from 2 months old. Her reflux was so bad that it caused her so much pain whilst sleeping on her back, she's now 6 months and still sleeping on her front.
Sometimes you have to do what's best for you and baby even if it goes against recommendations! Hopefully he has a good sleep and you're able to rest too

He does have possible allergies and reflux which I think is the back sleeping problem. I have seen him roll over and wake up crying/lifting his head before. Thanks for your reply

I answer to your question- official guidance is very clear on this. It's not safe.

Safe Sleep Advice is:
● Always put baby down on their back
● Until baby can roll both ways, then baby back onto back if ever you notice baby isn't on their back.

Side sleeping is considered unsafe.

Side sleeping worked for me because he was breastfed and even tummy sleeping was the only way to get him to sleep longer, but I was always next to him never left him alone .

@FATEdestiny

I answer to your question- official guidance is very clear on this. It's not safe.

Safe Sleep Advice is:
● Always put baby down on their back
● Until baby can roll both ways, then baby back onto back if ever you notice baby isn't on their back.

Side sleeping is considered unsafe.

There's so many things that the Lullaby Trust recommends for 'safe sleeping.' There's also loads of things that are reported to increase the risk of SIDS such as a smoker parent sleeping in the same room as a baby, or using a pillow or cot bumper in a cot. However thousands and thousands of people still do this.

OP, do what you feel comfortable with. Yes it is not recommended as he can't roll both ways but the fact that he can already hold his head up, has a strong neck and can roll one way sounds reassuring enough for me. Reflux in babies and how it affects them in their sleep isn't spoken about enough for me! DD had it so bad my GP actually recommend we try her on her front (my Grandma was saying I should put her on her front long before this!)

Keep an eye on him and depending on whether you feel comfortable that he's okay, you'll keep him on his side or put him back on his back! All the best

So he slept on his side, woke up when he rolled on to his tummy and was sitting up looking around. At 1am I woke up in a panic that he wasn't with me, then I couldn't sleep til 4 so I sat watching him anyway. then he slept with me from 4 because he was wide awake and I missed him

My 5 month old sleeps on his tummy and has done for the past couple of months. At first he had no issue sleeping on his back but for some reason around 14 weeks he refused to settle at all on his back. Eventually after 2 nights of zero sleep on my part I put him on his tummy and he was out like a light. It’s not ideal I know but I was desperate. To make myself feel better I bought an owlet sock which will alarm if his heart rate of breathing drop below a certain level. We follow all other safe sleep practices so I feel I’m doing everything I can to keep him safe. I know tummy sleeping is proven to be riskier, sometimes you have to view the situation holistically and make the best choice for your baby and yourself. For me, I was so afraid of falling asleep holding him that it was a risk worth taking.

My DD (now 3) did this and I was concerned too but it did her no harm. Obviously be aware of dangers but I just wanted to put my experience out to you.