Herbie Murray
There are differing opinions on the best sleeping position for newborns. Some sources suggest that newborns should sleep on their backs for the first 12 months to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, others recommend that newborns can sleep on their stomach if they are being supervised. It is important to note that if a newborn is rolling in their sleep and is comfortable sleeping on their stomach, there is no need to adjust their position as long as they are unswaddled and sleeping on a firm mattress with no loose bedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe sleeping position for newborns | On their back |
| Safe sleeping position for babies under one year | On their back |
| Safe sleeping position for babies over one year | On their back, but if they can roll both ways, it's okay to leave them on their stomach |
| Safe sleeping surface | Firm, flat surface with no loose bedding or toys |
| Safe sleeping environment | No loose blankets, toys, stuffed animals, bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, mattress toppers, non-fitted sheets, or any products that could increase the risk of suffocation |
| Safe sleeping practices | Sharing a room with the baby for the first six months can decrease the risk of SIDS by up to 50% |
| Safe sleeping tips | Offer a pacifier at nap and bedtime, swaddle the baby, practice tummy time during the day |
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What You'll Learn
Safe sleep practices
Safe Sleep Positions
The recommended safe sleeping position for babies during their first year of life is on their backs. Sleeping on their back reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and is advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is important to place your baby on their back for every sleep, including daytime naps.
Creating a Safe Sleep Environment
Always put your baby to sleep on a firm, flat surface, such as a crib or bassinet, with a tight-fitting sheet. The crib should be free of any loose bedding, toys, stuffed animals, bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, or other items that could increase the risk of suffocation. Keep an eye out for signs of overheating, such as sweating, a hot chest, or flushed skin.
Tummy Time and Rolling
Tummy time during the day can help your baby develop motor skills and prevent flat spots on their head. It also helps them get used to the feeling of being on their tummy. However, you should avoid tummy time if your baby is tired or fussy. If your baby starts to roll over onto their tummy while sleeping, you don't need to reposition them onto their back every time. If they can roll both ways and are comfortable sleeping on their stomach, it is generally safe to leave them in that position.
Co-Sleeping
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that you should never sleep with your baby in the same bed. However, if you are awake and alert, your baby can sleep on their stomach, on your chest. Close contact has benefits, but there are serious risks if your baby becomes unsupervised, including an increased risk of SIDS.
Swaddling
Swaddling can provide your baby with a sense of security and help prevent their startle reflex from waking them up. However, once your baby starts showing signs of rolling, it's time to transition out of swaddling.
Reducing the Risk of SIDS
In addition to placing your baby on their back to sleep, there are other ways to reduce the risk of SIDS. Sharing a room with your baby for the first six months can decrease the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. Offering a pacifier at nap and bedtime is also associated with a reduced risk.
Remember, every baby is unique, and if you have any concerns or questions about safe sleep practices, don't hesitate to consult your pediatrician or a qualified healthcare professional.
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs for at least the first year of their lives. Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant between the ages of 1 month and 1 year old that doesn't have a known cause, even after a complete investigation. The exact cause of SIDS is unknown, but there are known risk factors, including rebreathing, which is when a baby breathes in their exhaled breath, increasing the risk of overheating, and a sudden decrease in blood pressure and/or heart rate control.
Most babies who die of SIDS are between 2 and 4 months old, and 90% are younger than 6 months old. Most SIDS-related incidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m., which is why other names for SIDS include "crib death" or "cot death." While cribs don't cause SIDS, a baby's sleep environment can affect sleep-related causes of death. The best way to prevent SIDS is to place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm mattress with no loose bedding.
If your baby is rolling in their sleep and is comfortable sleeping on their stomach, you don't need to do anything as long as they're unswaddled on a firm infant mattress with no loose bedding. It's important to note that as soon as your baby shows signs of rolling, it's time to transition out of the swaddle. If your baby is rolling onto their stomach while swaddled, they may not be able to roll back, increasing the risk of SIDS.
If your newborn baby struggles to fall asleep on their back, you could consider swaddling them to give them a sense of security and to help prevent their startle reflex from waking them up during sleep. This can provide your baby with the secure feeling they are seeking without posing the same risk as sleeping on their stomach.
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Rebreathing
It is unsafe for newborns to sleep on their stomachs. For the first 12 months of a baby's life, it is recommended that they sleep on their back. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The risk of SIDS is highest in the first six months of a baby's life and decreases dramatically after they turn one.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies under the age of one sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. If a baby is sleeping on a traditional crib mattress with fiber fill or quilted surfaces, it is best to place them on their back. Crib mattresses designed with air-permeable materials can help reduce the risk of rebreathing by allowing expired gases (CO2) to escape.
If your baby is younger than six months old and has not yet developed good head and trunk control, it is essential to place them on their back and ensure that their crib is free of loose bedding, toys, and other soft items. However, if your baby is around six months old and has good head and trunk control, it is not necessary to turn them back onto their back if they roll over onto their stomach while sleeping.
It is important to note that side sleeping is also unsafe for babies as they can easily roll onto their stomach, increasing the risk of SIDS and rebreathing. Always make sure there is nothing in the crib besides your baby.
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Tummy time
To start tummy time, place newborns belly-down on your chest or across your lap for a few minutes at a time, two to three times a day. You can also place them on a blanket on a clear area on the floor. While lying on their belly, they can practice lifting their head and strengthening their muscles. As your baby gets used to it, you can gradually increase the duration and frequency of tummy time. Experts recommend that babies work up to about 1 hour of tummy time a day by the time they're 3 months old.
It's important to always supervise babies during tummy time and ensure they are not left alone. Tummy time should be done when the baby is awake and someone is watching them. It's also important to choose a safe surface for tummy time, avoiding sofas or beds where the baby could roll off or suffocate on pillows or soft surfaces.
While tummy time is beneficial for newborns, it is generally recommended that babies be placed on their backs to sleep, as this helps to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research has shown that sleeping on the back reduces the risk of SIDS, which is higher when babies sleep on their stomach due to the risk of rebreathing their exhaled air, which can lead to a decrease in blood oxygen levels.
However, once your baby can purposefully and consistently roll from back to tummy and tummy to back, most pediatricians agree that it is safe for them to sleep on their stomach, as long as they are unswaddled on a firm infant mattress with no loose bedding. At this stage, babies are considered strong enough to lift their head and safely sleep in this position.
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Rolling over
It's recommended to place newborns on their backs to sleep for the first 12 months. This is because sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and rebreathing, which is when a baby inhales expelled air with lower oxygen and higher carbon dioxide levels. However, if your baby is strong enough to roll over and sleep on their tummy, they are likely strong enough to lift their head and breathe safely in this position.
If your baby is rolling in their sleep and is comfortable sleeping on their stomach, you don't need to roll them back as long as they are unswaddled on a firm infant mattress with no loose bedding or other objects. It's important to note that some babies may struggle to fall asleep on their back, and in these cases, swaddling can help provide a sense of security and prevent their startle reflex from waking them up.
To help your baby get used to sleeping on their tummy, you can practice tummy time during the day. Work on rolling back to belly and belly to back, and provide comfort as they adjust to this new sleeping position.
Remember, every baby is different, and if you have any concerns about your baby's sleep, don't hesitate to consult your pediatrician for personalized advice.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe for newborns to sleep on their stomach. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as it means they are breathing in less air. Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep for the first 12 months.
Newborns can start sleeping on their stomach when they are 1 year old. After a child turns 1, they can sleep in any position they prefer.
If your baby struggles to sleep on their back, you could consider swaddling them to give them a sense of security and to help prevent their startle reflex from waking them up during sleep.
