Evie Summers
Sleeping on their stomach can increase an infant's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death for babies between one month and one year old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that caregivers place infants on their backs until they turn one year old. This recommendation applies to all sleep times, including daytime naps. While it is unsafe for babies to sleep on their stomachs, they can spend time on their stomachs during the day while supervised, as this encourages healthy development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended sleep position for a 1-month-old | On their back |
| Risk of sleeping on the stomach | Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) |
| Risk factors | Rebreathing, overheating, decrease in blood pressure and/or heart rate control |
| Safe sleep environment | Free of blankets, pillows, toys, and other loose objects |
| Safe sleep practices | Placing baby on their back, using a firm mattress, avoiding swaddling after they can roll over |
| Tummy time | Beneficial for development, but should be supervised and not during sleep |
| Rolling over | Babies may start rolling over between 3 to 6 months, reducing the risk of SIDS |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of SIDS
Sleeping on the stomach is not recommended for babies under 1 year old. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the highest for infants between 1 month and 1 year old. Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of SIDS.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the "'Back to Sleep' campaign in 1994 to educate parents and caregivers about the dangers of placing infants on their stomachs to sleep. The campaign has since been renamed "Safe to Sleep." Following the campaign, SIDS-related deaths dropped by 50% within six years.
Research has shown that sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of SIDS for infants. A study by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) found that infants placed to sleep on their stomachs were at more than twice the risk of SIDS compared to infants sleeping in other positions. The study focused on SIDS cases among African Americans, who are at twice the risk of SIDS compared to Caucasians. The findings supported the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommendations that infants be placed to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Sleeping on the stomach can increase the risk of rebreathing, which is when a baby breathes in their own exhaled air. This air is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, which can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop, leading to SIDS. Rebreathing is more likely to occur when an infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near their face.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that infants sleep on a firm, flat mattress without any loose bedding or soft objects in the sleep area. It is also important to ensure that infants sleep in a separate sleeping area from their parents, such as a bassinet or crib next to the bed, for at least the first 6 months of life when the risk of SIDS is highest.
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Babies should sleep on their backs until they're 1 year old
It is not recommended for babies to sleep on their stomachs during their first year. Stomach sleeping is a considerable risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is the most common cause of death for infants between one month and one year old. Research shows that babies who are placed on their stomachs to sleep are more than twice as likely to die of SIDS than infants sleeping in other positions.
Babies who sleep on their stomachs may re-breathe expired air trapped in the bedding, which can lead to dangerously high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels in their bodies. This imbalance can harm brain and respiratory function. While most babies will wake up and breathe fresh air, some infants are slower to respond or will not be able to roll over, and will lose consciousness.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on their backs until they are at least one year old. This recommendation applies to all types of sleep, including daytime naps. After an infant turns one year old, there is no need to ensure they sleep only on their back.
Babies who can easily flip from their backs to their stomachs are at a significantly reduced risk of SIDS. This may be because babies who have developed the strength and mobility to switch positions easily have also matured enough to sense trouble when they are sleeping, making them better able to protect themselves.
Parents should always place their babies on a firm sleeping surface and keep all other objects, such as pillows, blankets, bumpers, loose-fitting sheets, and plush toys, away from their crib.
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Babies can sleep on their stomachs if they can roll both ways
It is not recommended that babies sleep on their stomachs during their first year. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs for their first year. This is because sleeping on the back reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the most common cause of death for infants between one month and one year old.
However, once a baby can roll both ways, it is generally considered safe to let them sleep on their stomach if they choose to. This is because they are now strong enough to lift and turn their head while sleeping on their tummy. It is important to note that babies should not be swaddled once they start rolling over. Additionally, their crib should be clear of toys and loose blankets, and the bedding should be tight.
If your baby is waking up crying after rolling onto their stomach, you may want to help them get back to their back and use a pacifier or make shushing noises to help them fall back to sleep. You can also try to prevent this situation by using products designed to keep babies sleeping on their backs, such as the Tranquilo Safe Sleep Swaddle Blanket or the Swanling Slumber Sleeper.
It is always best to consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's sleep.
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Tummy time helps babies develop strength and motor skills
Sleeping on their stomach is not recommended for babies under one year old due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, "tummy time" when they are awake and supervised is essential for babies' development.
Tummy time helps babies develop strength in their neck, shoulder, back, and core muscles. This prepares them for motor milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, and crawling. It also encourages sensory exploration and enhances visual tracking skills as they learn to observe their environment.
To start tummy time, place newborns belly-down on your chest or lap for a few minutes at a time, several times a day. As they get used to it, gradually increase the duration and frequency of tummy time. By the time they are three months old, experts recommend working up to about one hour of tummy time per day.
You can encourage interaction and bonding during tummy time by placing toys within their reach or sitting in front of them and making noises or shaking a rattle. Regular tummy time can also help prevent flat spots on the back of the baby's head, also known as positional plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome.
In summary, while it is not safe for babies under one year old to sleep on their stomachs, tummy time when they are awake and supervised is crucial for their physical development, motor skills, and sensory exploration. It also helps prevent positional conditions such as flat head syndrome.
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Safe sleep practices are the best way to keep your baby safe
It is unsafe to put a 1-month-old baby to sleep on their stomach. Research shows that placing babies on their backs to sleep significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants between one month and one year old. SIDS is used to describe the unexpected death of a healthy infant, usually during sleep. Stomach sleeping increases the risk of SIDS because it causes babies to breathe in less air, which can increase their chances of rebreathing. Rebreathing is when a baby inhales their exhaled breath, which is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, causing oxygen levels in the blood to drop.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that babies are placed on their backs to sleep until they are one year old. This recommendation applies to all sleep times, including daytime naps. Babies should also sleep on a firm, flat surface, without any loose bedding, blankets, pillows, or toys, which can increase the risk of rebreathing.
While it is important to follow safe sleep practices, it is normal for babies to roll over in their sleep as they get older. If a baby can roll from their back to their stomach and back again, it is generally considered safe to leave them in the position they choose to sleep in. However, if a baby is not consistently and intentionally rolling over, they should be placed back on their back.
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Frequently asked questions
No. It is recommended that babies are always placed on their backs to sleep until they are 1 year old. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as it may cause rebreathing of carbon dioxide.
The biggest risk is SIDS, which is the leading cause of death during a baby's first year, especially within the first 4 to 6 months. When a baby sleeps on their stomach, they may rebreathe expired air trapped in the bedding, leading to dangerously high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels in their bodies.
If your baby is able to roll over and has good head and trunk control, you do not need to turn them back onto their back. However, if they are still young and cannot roll over, it is recommended to gently turn them back onto their back.
