Can a 4 month old sleep on their tummy?
Short answer: No. Always put your baby down on their back. If they roll, move them back, until they can roll both ways by themselves. The 12-month point is about 8 months away.
Babies change fast, so the answer depends on your child's age, weight and development, and on your product's instructions.
What the guidance says
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, in the feet-to-foot position (feet at the bottom of the cot, Moses basket or pram).
- Move your baby onto their back if they roll, until they can roll from front to back by themselves.
- Follow safer-sleep advice for every sleep until your baby is 12 months old (12 months from the due date for premature babies).
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Bantam Space Saver Cot - White
- Grace Cot Bed, Cot Top Changer + Fibre Mattress - White
- Evie Cot Bed - Cashmere
- Evie Mini Cot Bed - White
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Will a crib fit in a small nursery?How long can you use a cot?When should I buy a cot bed?Is a crib safe for a newborn?Grandparents' safe sleep quizYour 18 month's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (accessed 2026-10-21)
- The Lullaby Trust: Safer sleep advice (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.