To reduce the risk of SIDS, babies should be placed on their backs to sleep, unless otherwise advised by your baby's doctor. However, what if your baby rolls to his side to sleep? Is it okay for newborns to be sleeping on their side? Yes, it is okay for newborns to be sleeping on their side provided they are rolling that way on their own and can roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. Some parents allow their babies to sleep on their sides even if they aren't rolling yet, but it isn't