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Our daughter is 5 1/2 months old. When she was smaller we used to put her down for sleep at night in one of those little wedge things that kept her from rolling over. Now that she no longer sleeps with it she rolls over all night long. The problem is that she rolls against the side of the crib and can't get herself back or her arm is kind of underneath her. She wakes herself up all night long. She's not yet strong enough to roll herself back over onto her back yet. Should we have kept the wedge?

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Our daughter is 5 1/2 months old. When she was smaller we used to put her down for sleep at night in one of those little wedge things that kept her from rolling over. Now that she no longer sleeps with it she rolls over all night long. The problem is that she rolls against the side of the crib and can't get herself back or her arm is kind of underneath her. She wakes herself up all night long. She's not yet strong enough to roll herself back over onto her back yet. Should we have kept the wedge?

It is important for babies to go to sleep on their backs, because this has been found to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Until your infant is easily rolling over both ways, it is still advisable to put her to sleep on her back, and a wedge can help keep her in position. This will have the added benefit hopefully, of getting her more restful sleep. In a few more weeks, though, and with more tummy time, she should build up the core strength to reposition herself at night without difficulty.

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Question answered by

Sue Maben

MD, Pediatrics

Austin Regional Clinic

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