Very interesting seeing everyone’s advice on this one, as I’ve wondered if myself. I had thought that it’s strictly on the back until baby can roll themselves.

I was told that once he can roll and lift his head while on his tummy, then he will be ok to sleep on his side or tummy. The biggest risk is when they are too little to fix themselves if they get into a bad position.

Look at SIDS safe sleeping.
My little one is 5 months also and had just decided that she will only sleep on her side or tummy! Anxiety plus for me!
She is confidently rolling both ways. However I always put her to sleep on her back and almost instantly she rolls herself over. I know that she can roll herself during the night so figure that’s all I can do. Plus ensure she has a safe sleep environment.

Our first was never a tummy sleeper. Our second came and as soon as she learnt to roll she became a tummy sleeper. 11 months on and still sleeps this way. We were certainly worried for the first few weeks she started to sleep on her tummy but we just ensured that she slept with her head to her side so that she could breath. That nervousness eventually went away when we knew she was safe, happy and very capable of rolling to her back if she needed or wanted to.

If they can get themselves onto their tummy as long as they are unswaddled they should be fine.

I remember this problem making me absolutely crazy. You’re not supposed to let him sleep on his tummy. But once he can roll over, it’s almost impossible to stop it – and my GP reassured me that if he could roll over, it was a much lower risk.

Once they can roll themselves it’s fine. Just put him down in his safe sleep space on his back and if he rolls to his stomach it’s okay

Whatever helps the baby have the best sleep, as long as you follow the SIDS recommendations and check in should be fine xx

I think if you’re concerned you should ask professionals that have a background in working with infants as their knowledge and information should be up to date. Other peoples experiences may have been fine for their family – you can only do your best with what you know at the time.

My daughter hated so badly sleeping on her back or sides from maybe 3 or 4 months old. I was a very young mum and didn’t have all information I should have. But we had other medical issues going on with her and we would honustly go days, like days with out more then a hour or 2 sleep. My husband got sent home a few times from work because he fell alseep at the job he was on purely just because she wouldn’t sleep! So we found she liked to be on her belly so we rolled with it. Now I know it wasn’t safe at that age bit again inexperience/ very young mum. But again was were desperate too.

I noticed you said baby rolled onto belly. I would assume baby is rolling from back to belly or belly to back, and I was told if they can roll they will roll in there sleep anyway.
But just to be sure there is no blankets or toys that can cover the face and they should have there arms free also if they are rolling. Good luck mumma! ????

Can baby roll both ways? Yes it’s said that baby should sleep on it’s back but sometimes that’s easier said then done. Is baby also sleeping in your room where you can keep an eye out?

Hi…you state he flipped back onto his stomach..so I am assuming he is able to turn over. Safe sleeping recommends to sleep on back till 6mths or till bub can turn over. If you are really concerned maybe a talk to your Dr or Pediatrician would help put your mind at ease.

I guess I should put the disclaimer this isn’t medical advice, but our daughter was the same. We were trying to be SIDS safe, but it seemed to be her preferred sleeping place. Given your little one is 5 months, I think the risk is less and I also think the views on the danger of it have changed over time. Just my thoughts.

The advice is still to put your baby on the back, but when it’s able to roll itself you can leave it finding it’s own position at a certain age
https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/sleep/sleep-safety/safe-sleeping-tips

Is he rolling or able to roll back and forth? Anyway don’t stress about it. 5 months they will cry if uncomfortable and can move their head side to side. My son started sleeping on his side and tummy around 6 months, but he couldn’t roll from tummy to back so he would cry if he wanted to go back.