Ashwin Lewis
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborns sleep on their backs until they are at least 12 months old. Sleeping on their backs lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths. Sleeping on their bellies increases the risk of SIDS due to rebreathing, which is when a baby breathes in air that is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide. However, once babies can roll from back to stomach and vice versa, they can sleep in the position they choose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended sleeping position for newborns | On their back |
| Risks of tummy sleeping | Overheating, Rebreathing, Suffocation, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) |
| Tummy time | Strengthens neck, shoulder and arm muscles |
| Safe sleeping position after | When the baby can roll over independently |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns should sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS
- Babies can sleep on their bellies once they can roll over independently
- Babies who sleep on their stomachs may re-breathe exhaled air, leading to dangerously low oxygen levels
- Tummy time while awake helps newborns build strength and avoid flat head syndrome
- The risk of choking while sleeping on the back is lower than sleeping on the stomach
Newborns should sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that babies sleep on their backs until at least 12 months of age, or older if they were preterm. The AAP's guidelines are based on extensive research that demonstrates the link between tummy sleeping and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the CDC, approximately 1,389 babies died of SIDS in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
Sleeping on the back is crucial because it lowers the risk of SIDS by ensuring the openings of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus are positioned correctly. When a baby sleeps on their stomach, the opening of the esophagus is on top of the trachea, allowing fluids from the stomach to collect at the opening of the trachea due to gravity, making choking more likely. Additionally, sleeping on the back helps to regulate body temperature and prevent overheating, a known risk factor for SIDS.
While it is natural to worry about flat head syndrome, this condition is typically not dangerous and often resolves on its own as babies start sitting up and practising tummy time. Tummy time, when a baby is placed on their stomach while awake and supervised, is essential for strengthening neck, shoulder, and arm muscles and can help babies master rolling, promoting safer sleep as they age.
In summary, placing newborns on their backs to sleep is crucial to reducing the risk of SIDS. Once babies can roll from back to stomach and vice versa, they can be left in the position they choose after initially placing them on their backs.
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Babies can sleep on their bellies once they can roll over independently
It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs for at least the first 12 months to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sleeping on their backs is considered the safest position for babies, including those born preterm and those with reflux. Research shows that babies who are put to sleep on their stomachs are more than twice as likely to die of SIDS than infants sleeping in other positions.
However, once babies can roll over independently, they can be left to sleep on their bellies. The ability to roll both ways is crucial. If a baby can roll from back to belly but not from belly to back, they should still be placed on their backs to sleep. In this case, if they roll onto their tummy during sleep, they should be gently returned to their back.
Babies may start rolling over on their own as early as 2 months old. Rolling over is an important and natural part of a baby's growth. Tummy time while they are awake can help babies build the strength to roll over and may also help them sleep safer as they age.
It is important to note that parents should stop swaddling babies during sleep once they start rolling over to reduce the risk of suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
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Babies who sleep on their stomachs may re-breathe exhaled air, leading to dangerously low oxygen levels
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs until they are at least 12 months old. Sleeping on the back is the safest position for babies, including those born prematurely and those with reflux. This is because babies who sleep on their stomachs are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
One of the most significant concerns with stomach sleeping is rebreathing. Babies who sleep on their stomachs may re-breathe exhaled air, leading to dangerously low oxygen levels in their bodies. This happens when exhaled air, which is high in carbon dioxide and low in oxygen, gets trapped around the baby's face and is then inhaled again. This trapped air can be caused by soft surfaces such as mattresses, blankets, pillows, or toys.
Research has shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs are more than twice as likely to die of SIDS than infants sleeping on their backs. SIDS is the unexplained death of a healthy infant under one year of age. While SIDS is rare today, it is still a serious concern, and public health campaigns promoting back sleeping have led to a significant decrease in SIDS deaths.
Once babies can roll over independently and have good head and trunk control, it is generally considered safe to let them sleep on their stomachs. However, it is still recommended to put babies to sleep on their backs until they can roll over independently and have the strength to roll back to their backs if needed.
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Tummy time while awake helps newborns build strength and avoid flat head syndrome
It is recommended that newborns sleep on their backs and not their bellies. Sleeping on the back is the only safe way for babies to sleep and helps lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Tummy sleeping is linked to SIDS as babies are more likely to overheat, re-breathe carbon dioxide, and suffocate.
However, tummy time while awake is important for newborns to build strength and avoid flat head syndrome. Flat head syndrome, or positional plagiocephaly, can develop when babies spend too much time on their backs. It causes a flat spot on one side or the back of the head. Tummy time helps babies strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles, which are needed for crawling and sitting up. It also helps them practice lifting their head and chest by straightening their arms, strengthening their chest and back muscles.
Babies can start tummy time a day or two after they are born. It is recommended that they have two to three short sessions of three to five minutes each day. As babies get older, these sessions can be longer and more regular. By two months of age, it is recommended that babies get a total of 15 to 30 minutes of tummy time daily.
Tummy time can be done by placing the baby on their belly across your lap or chest for a few minutes at a time, two to three times a day. It is important to always supervise the baby during tummy time and ensure they are awake.
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The risk of choking while sleeping on the back is lower than sleeping on the stomach
In addition, sleeping on the stomach is associated with a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sleeping on the stomach may cause babies to rebreathe their exhaled breath, leading to dangerously high carbon dioxide levels and low oxygen levels in the body. This is known as rebreathing, and it can cause a baby's blood oxygen levels to drop. It can also make it harder for the baby's body to release heat, leading to overheating, which is a risk factor for SIDS.
To reduce the risk of SIDS and choking, it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs for at least the first 12 months of their lives. This is the safest sleep position for all babies, including those born prematurely and those with reflux. Once a baby can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back on their own, they can be left to sleep in the position they choose, as long as they start sleeping on their back.
It is important to note that while tummy time is recommended for strengthening a baby's neck, shoulder, and arm muscles, it should only be done when the baby is awake and supervised.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe for newborns to sleep on their bellies. Sleeping on their back is the only safe way for a baby to sleep. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by up to 45 times. It is also associated with overheating, rebreathing carbon dioxide, and suffocation.
Babies can sleep on their bellies once they can roll over independently, in both directions. Pediatricians recommend continuing to put babies to sleep on their backs until their first birthdays.
To help your baby sleep better on their back, you can try supervised tummy time sessions during the day. These sessions will strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles, and may help them master rolling over. You can also dress your baby in a lightweight swaddle and keep their head and face uncovered to reduce the risk of overheating.
