Ashwin Lewis
Is it safe for newborns to sleep on their side? This is a question many new parents ask, especially when they see their baby naturally curl up into a fetal position, also known as the newborn curl or newborn scrunch. While it is a normal physiological response for newborns to sleep in this position, the answer to the question is a little more complex.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs for the first year of life to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Side sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS, especially in the first six months, as babies can easily roll onto their stomachs, blocking their airways and impairing their breathing. Therefore, it is generally advised to place newborns on their backs to sleep and gently reposition them if they roll onto their sides.
However, once babies are able to roll both ways (from tummy to back and back to tummy), typically between 4 to 7 months old, it is considered okay to leave them on their side if they roll that way during sleep. At this stage, parents can continue to place their babies on their backs but do not need to intervene if they roll onto their sides.
Is it ok for a newborn to sleep sideways?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safest sleeping position for newborns | On their back |
| Safe sleeping position for babies under 12 months | On their back |
| Safe sleeping position for babies under 1 year | On their back |
| Safe sleeping position for babies who can roll both ways | On their side or back |
| Safe sleeping position for babies after 1 year | On their side or back |
| Safe sleeping surface for newborns | Crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm, flat surface |
| Safe sleeping environment for newborns | No blankets, quilts, pillows, plush toys, or bumper pads |
| Safe sleeping environment for babies under 1 year | No loose bedding, bumper pads, blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals |
| Safe sleeping environment to reduce the risk of SIDS | Share room (not bed) with parents for the first 6 months |
| Safe sleeping environment to reduce the risk of SIDS | Offer a pacifier at nap and bedtime |
| Safe sleeping environment to reduce the risk of overheating | Watch for signs such as sweating, hot chest, or flushed skin |
| Safe sleeping position to prevent torticollis | On their back |
| Safe sleeping position to prevent Harlequin color change | On their back |
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What You'll Learn
The 'newborn curl' is a normal reflex and not a sign of rolling
It is important to note that the safest position for a newborn to sleep is on their back for at least the first six months. This is because sleeping on the back reduces the risk of SIDS, suffocation, choking, and overheating.
Now, if you see your newborn curling onto their side after being placed on their back, it is most likely an involuntary reflex known as the "newborn curl" or "newborn scrunch". This is not a sign of rolling and typically disappears after a few weeks. It is a normal physiological response that newborns develop in the last couple of months in the womb, giving them a tight flexion. This is a sign of a healthy full-term baby.
The newborn curl is not a reason to worry, but rather an indication that your baby is comfortable and in a familiar position. It is safe to continue swaddling your baby if they exhibit this reflex, as the swaddle replicates the feeling of being in the womb and helps babies sleep safely on their backs. However, it is recommended to stop swaddling once your baby starts showing signs of rolling to reduce the risk of suffocation.
If your baby is out of the newborn phase and actively attempts to roll during sleep, there is no need to continuously roll them back onto their backs. Once your baby has learned to roll from their back to their belly unassisted and unswaddled, it is safe to let them sleep in that position. This usually occurs between 4 and 7 months when they can roll both ways.
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Side sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS
It is important to note that side sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and, therefore, is not recommended for newborns or older babies. The safest position for babies to sleep in is on their back for at least the first year of their life. This is because babies who sleep on their side can easily roll onto their stomach, which can block their airways and impair their breathing. Sleeping on the stomach may also increase the chance of "rebreathing", where the baby breathes in air they have already exhaled, leading to a decline in oxygen levels.
The risk of SIDS is also influenced by other factors, such as whether the mother smoked during pregnancy or if the baby is exposed to second-hand smoke after birth. However, it is important to note that not all risk factors are within a parent's control, and a fed baby, whether breastfed or bottle-fed, is a healthy baby.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that babies sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface, such as a crib or bassinet, that is free of blankets, stuffed animals, bumper pads, pillows, or anything else that may increase the risk of suffocation. It is also important to watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating, a hot chest, or flushed skin, and to share a room (not a bed) with the baby for at least the first six months.
While side sleeping does not offer any health benefits, some babies may find it more comfortable. Once a baby has learned to roll both ways (typically between 4 and 7 months old), it is generally considered okay to leave them on their side if they roll that way during sleep. However, it is still recommended to place them on their back until they are 12 months old.
In summary, side sleeping can increase the risk of SIDS, especially in the first six months, and it is recommended that babies always be placed on their back to sleep until they are one year old.
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Babies should sleep on their backs until they can roll both ways
It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs until they can roll both ways. This is because sleeping on their backs is the safest position for newborns and infants, and it helps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Side-sleeping is not considered safe for newborns, even when supervised. This is because babies who sleep on their sides can easily roll onto their stomachs, which can block their airways and impair their breathing. This risk is especially high for babies younger than four months, as they are often too small to change positions or lift their heads.
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm, flat surface and nothing else in the crib. This means no sleep positioners, pillows, or rolled blankets should be used to keep the baby on their back. Swaddling is safe for newborns until they show signs of rolling over, at which point it is recommended to stop swaddling and opt for a sleep sack instead.
Babies typically develop the ability to roll both ways between four and seven months of age. Once they have mastered this skill, it is okay to leave them on their side if they roll over in their sleep. However, it is important to always place them on their back until they are one year old.
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The risk of SIDS is reduced by back sleeping
It is not safe for newborns to sleep on their sides, even when supervised. The safest position for babies under 12 months old is on their backs, as this reduces the risk of SIDS. Side sleeping may make it easier for newborns to accidentally roll onto their stomachs, which is unsafe, especially for babies younger than 4 months, who may be too small to change positions or lift their heads.
It is important to note that swaddling is safe for newborns until they show signs of rolling. The newborn curl, or scrunch, is not a sign of rolling. Swaddling replicates the feeling of being inside the womb and helps babies sleep safely on their backs. However, if a newborn is swaddled and able to roll over, it is recommended to stop swaddling immediately.
To ensure the safety of your newborn while they sleep, it is recommended to follow AAP-approved safe sleep guidelines. This includes placing your baby on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, that is free of blankets, stuffed animals, bumper pads, pillows, or anything else that may increase the risk of suffocation. It is also recommended to share a room (not a bed) with your baby for at least the first six months and to offer a pacifier at nap and bedtime, as this is associated with a decreased risk of SIDS.
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Tummy sleeping is not safe for newborns
It is not safe for newborns to sleep on their tummies. The safest position for a newborn to sleep in is on their back. This is because babies who sleep on their stomachs may have trouble getting enough oxygen. When they lie on their belly, they inhale expired air (the air they already breathed out), which can lead to too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in their bodies, increasing the risk of suffocation.
Tummy sleeping also increases 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 deaths from the syndrome occur in babies who are 1 to 4 months old. When a young baby is sleeping on their belly, they are more likely to overheat, breathe in too much carbon dioxide, and suffocate, which are all events that are linked to SIDS.
Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep for the first 12 months. Keep an eye out for rolling — once they have mastered rolling both tummy to back and back to tummy (typically sometime between 4 and 7 months old), it is generally okay to let them sleep on their stomach if they roll that way while sleeping. You should still place them on their back for every nap and bedtime until they are 1 year old.
If your baby was born prematurely, adjust their age based on their due date before considering them safe to sleep on their stomach. No baby under the age of 1 who has not yet mastered rolling back and forth should be put or left to sleep on their stomach.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not considered safe for newborns to sleep on their side. The safest position for babies under 12 months old is on their back, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
If your baby is under 12 months old, gently return them to their back. If they are able to roll both ways (from tummy to back and back to tummy) it is generally considered OK to leave them on their side.
The newborn curl is when a baby curls onto their side after being placed on their back. It is an involuntary reflex during the first two months and is not a sign of rolling.
