Can an 8 month old sleep on their side?
Short answer: No. Sleeping on the front or side greatly increases the risk of SIDS. Put your baby down on their back for every sleep. Safer-sleep advice applies until 12 months, about 4 months from 8 month.
Use the same advice for every sleep, day and night, until 12 months.
What the guidance says
- Sleeping a baby on their front or side greatly increases the risk of SIDS. Back sleeping is safest unless a doctor has advised otherwise.
- 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).
- Once your baby can roll from back to front and back again by themselves, they can find their own position. Keep putting them down on their back.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Mathy By Bols Dominique Adjustable Baby Cot with Rocker
- Obaby Nika Mini Cot Bed
- Mathy By Bols Madavin Adjustable Baby Cot 60 x 120cm
- Whitby Cot Bed - White
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Bedside crib quizIs a cot with a drop side safe?Should the bedside crib side be up or down at night?Can a 15 month old sleep in a travel cot?Mattress safety quizYour 2 week's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideAll safe sleep and sleep spaces advice →
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Sleeping position (accessed 2026-10-21)
- NHS: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (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.