Miya Pearson
There are differing opinions on whether a 2-month-old baby should sleep on their belly. While some sources recommend that babies sleep on their backs for at least the first 12 months to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), others suggest that it is safe for a baby to sleep on their stomach once they can roll both ways and have good head and trunk control. Since a 2-month-old baby may not have developed the ability to roll over or have sufficient head control, it is generally recommended to put them to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS and other respiratory issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe sleeping position for a 2-month-old | On their back |
| Safe sleeping environment | Free of blankets, pillows, toys, and other loose objects |
| Safe mattress type | Firm |
| Risk of sleeping on the stomach | Increased risk of SIDS, rebreathing, and suffocation |
| Benefits of back sleeping | Lowered risks for ear infections, stuffy noses, fever, and SIDS |
| Tummy time | Recommended for 15-30 minutes daily to build core, neck, shoulder, and arm strength |
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What You'll Learn
- Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep for the first 12 months
- Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of SIDS
- Tummy time helps babies develop strength and motor skills
- Babies should not sleep on soft mattresses or with soft objects
- Babies should not be swaddled once they can roll over
Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep for the first 12 months
It is recommended that babies are always placed on their backs to sleep for the first 12 months. Sleeping on the back is the safest option for newborns and infants and significantly lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Research shows that babies who are put down to sleep on their stomachs are more than twice as likely to die of SIDS than infants sleeping in other positions. Most SIDS deaths occur before an infant is 6 months old, with the majority of deaths happening in babies between 1 and 4 months old.
When a baby sleeps on their belly, they inhale the air they already breathed out, which can lead to dangerously high carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels in their bodies, increasing the risk of suffocation. This is known as "rebreathing". Additionally, a baby sleeping on their stomach can get too hot, which is a problem when they are unable to switch positions, and overheating is also a risk factor for SIDS.
It is important to place a baby on their back to sleep until they are 1 year old, even though around 6 months old, or even earlier, they will be able to roll over both ways naturally. If a baby is strong enough to roll onto their tummy, most doctors agree they are strong enough to lift their head and safely sleep in this position. However, it is recommended to continue placing the baby on their back to sleep even after they can roll over, as long as they are sleeping in a safe environment free from blankets, pillows, toys, and other soft or loose objects that could pose a suffocation risk.
Supervised ""tummy time"" during the day can help babies develop strength and motor skills and can also help prevent flat spots on their heads from sleeping on their backs. By 2 months old, babies should be getting around 15 to 30 minutes of tummy time each day. This can help babies build core, neck, shoulder, and arm strength, which they need to roll, sit up, crawl, and eventually walk.
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Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of SIDS
It is not recommended that a 2-month-old baby sleeps on their belly. Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
SIDS is the leading cause of death in young infants, and the risk is highest during the first six months of life. Sleeping on the stomach can increase the risk of SIDS by more than twice. This is because stomach sleeping can block the infant's airway and increase "rebreathing". Rebreathing is when a baby breathes in their own exhaled air, which is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide. As the baby breathes in stale air, the oxygen level in their body drops, and the level of carbon dioxide rises. This can cause the baby to suffocate.
Babies who are inexperienced with tummy sleeping may not have learned the behaviours to reduce their risk of SIDS. Research has shown that babies who usually sleep on their backs or sides and then shift to sleeping on their stomachs have a 19-fold increased risk of sudden death. This may be because they do not turn their heads to breathe more easily or because their reflexes are not developed enough to wake them up.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs on a firm, flat mattress with no loose bedding, pillows, or soft toys. It is also important to keep the baby in the same room as the parents, but on a separate sleeping surface, for at least the first six months of life.
Once babies can consistently roll over and sleep in the position they choose, it is generally considered safe to let them sleep on their stomachs. However, it is important to ensure that the baby is unswaddled and sleeping on a firm mattress with no loose bedding.
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Tummy time helps babies develop strength and motor skills
It is recommended that babies are always put to sleep on their backs for at least the first year of their life. Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and rebreathing, which is when a baby inhales exhaled air that is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, causing oxygen levels in the blood to drop.
However, tummy time is essential for babies to develop strength and motor skills. It helps to strengthen the neck, shoulder, back, and core muscles, preparing them for milestones such as tilting their head to both sides, rolling over, and sitting up. It also encourages sensory exploration and enhances visual tracking skills as babies learn to move their heads and observe their environment.
Tummy time can be started shortly after birth, placing newborns belly-down on a parent's chest or lap for a few minutes at a time, two to three times a day. As babies get used to it, they can be placed belly-down more often and for longer periods. By the time they are three months old, they should work up to about an hour of tummy time a day.
Tummy time can also help prevent flat spots on the back of the baby's head, which can occur when babies spend too much time on their backs in the first few months of life. To prevent this, it is recommended to hold the baby upright when they are not sleeping, limit their time in car seats, bouncers, swings, and carriers, and change the direction they lie in the crib from week to week.
While tummy time is important for development, it should always be supervised and done when the baby is awake.
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Babies should not sleep on soft mattresses or with soft objects
It is generally advised that babies be put to sleep on their backs and not on their bellies, especially in the first year. Sleeping on the stomach can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as the baby breathes in less air, leading to decreased blood pressure and heart rate control. This risk is heightened when babies sleep on soft mattresses or with soft objects, as they may end up with their face pressed into the mattress or object, obstructing their airway and causing suffocation.
Soft mattresses and surfaces can also increase the risk of "rebreathing", where exhaled air, which is high in carbon dioxide, gets trapped around the baby's face and is inhaled again, leading to fatal health complications. Additionally, soft mattresses can make it difficult for babies to roll over, increasing the likelihood of them sleeping face-down.
To ensure your baby's safety, it is recommended that you choose a firm mattress that complies with safety standards and is the correct size for the cot, with no gaps between the mattress and the cot sides. The mattress should be clean, well-fitting, and snug, with no tears or loose bedding that could pose a risk of suffocation. While it may seem more comfortable for your baby, soft bedding such as nests, bumpers, and additional padding should be avoided.
It is understandable that parents want to create a cosy sleeping environment for their babies, but soft surfaces and objects in the crib can lead to tragic outcomes, including death. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise safety by providing a firm and unobstructed sleep surface for your baby. Once your baby can roll over and sit up without assistance, typically around 12 to 18 months of age, it is generally considered safe to transition to a softer mattress.
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Babies should not be swaddled once they can roll over
While placing a baby on their back to sleep is recommended, it is not uncommon for babies to roll onto their stomach while sleeping. Sleeping on the stomach can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and rebreathing, which can cause a drop in blood oxygen levels. It is generally advised that parents continue to place their babies on their backs for sleep until the age of one.
Swaddling is a popular method to help newborns feel secure and calm, mimicking the cozy feeling of being in the mother's womb. However, once babies start to roll over, swaddling can become unsafe and is generally not recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents stop swaddling their babies when they begin to show signs of rolling over, which typically occurs when babies are around 2 to 4 months old. Some babies may even start working on rolling as early as 2 months.
The primary concern with swaddling a baby who can roll over is the increased risk of SIDS and suffocation. If a baby rolls onto their stomach while swaddled, they may not be able to roll back onto their back, leading to a potential risk of SIDS. Additionally, swaddling can restrict the baby's arms and chest, impacting their ability to breathe comfortably and safely.
It is important for parents to monitor their baby's development and adjust their sleeping arrangements accordingly. Once a baby starts to roll over, it is recommended to transition them from swaddling to a sleep sack or wearable blanket that allows for free movement of the arms and body. This ensures that the baby can safely adjust their sleeping position as needed.
Some babies may struggle to sleep without being swaddled, and it is normal for parents to feel anxious about this transition. To help with the adjustment, parents can create a relaxing bedtime routine that includes soothing activities such as a warm bath, a gentle massage, a bedtime story, or quiet cuddle time. Additionally, a sound machine that imitates the womb with loud, rumbling sounds can be used to promote sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not recommended for babies to sleep on their bellies at this age. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs for at least the first 12 months.
Sleeping on their belly increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies sleeping on their stomachs may also have trouble getting enough oxygen, leading to dangerously high carbon dioxide levels and low oxygen levels in their bodies.
If your baby can roll both ways, it is generally considered safe to leave them to sleep on their belly. However, it is recommended that you always place your baby on their back to sleep, and if they can only roll one way, gently reposition them onto their back.
Plenty of tummy time during the day can help your baby get used to being on their belly and also help them learn to roll. It is also recommended to place your baby on their back in a safe sleep environment free of blankets, pillows, toys, and other soft or loose objects.
Some parents believe that tummy sleeping reduces the risk of their baby aspirating or accidentally breathing in fluid if they spit up while sleeping. Tummy sleeping is also considered more comfortable for some babies.
