I know I'm supposed to put my baby on her back when she goes to sleep, but what if she rolls over in the night or spits up? – Arianne By having your baby sleep on her back, you decrease her chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS, the leading cause of death in babies younger than 1 year old, has been linked to infants sleeping on their stomachs. Although your concerns about rolling over and spitting up are legitimate, there's good news — by the time your baby can roll over by herself, her chances of SIDS are greatly reduced. Plus, by putting your baby to sleep on her back, she'll get used to this position and probably prefer it. As for spitting up, there is no increased risk of choking for healthy infants who sleep on their backs. If your baby has chronic gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or an airway problem, your doctor may suggest another sleep position. Back to Articles Related Articles Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old. Though SIDS remains unpredictable, you can help reduce your infant's risk. Read More All About Sleep Getting enough sleep can be a problem for children of any age. Read this article to learn tips on bedtime schedules and routines for your child. Read More Gastroesophageal Reflux When symptoms of heartburn or acid indigestion happen a lot, it could be gastroesophageal reflux (GER). And it can be a problem for kids - even newborns. Read More Choosing Safe Baby Products: Cribs When you choose a crib, check it carefully to make sure that your baby's sleep space is safe. Here's how. Read More Flat Head Syndrome (Positional Plagiocephaly) Babies can develop a flat spot on the back of their heads, usually from sleeping in the same position too long. Alternating your baby's sleep position and providing lots of "tummy time" can help. Read More Sleep and Your Newborn Newborn babies don’t yet have a sense of day and night. They wake often to eat – no matter what time it is. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.