Herbie Murray
The safest sleeping position for newborns and babies up to one year of age is on their back. Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by up to 45 times, according to some studies. This is because sleeping on the stomach can block airways and impair breathing, leading to asphyxiation. Additionally, babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to choke than those who sleep on their stomachs. While some parents worry about flat head syndrome, this typically resolves on its own as babies start to practice tummy time and sit up. To help newborns sleep on their backs, parents can try swaddling, white noise, and pacifiers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) | Increased |
| Risk of asphyxiation | Increased |
| Risk of choking | Increased |
| Risk of rebreathing | Increased |
| Risk of suffocation | Increased |
| Risk of impaired breathing | Increased |
| Crib mattress | Unsafe |
| Safe sleeping position | Back-sleeping |
| Safe age for stomach sleeping | After 1 year |
| Safe sleeping environment | Crib with no loose bedding, pillows, toys or soft objects |
| Safe sleeping environment | Room temperature between 68° and 72°F |
| Safe sleeping environment | Clothing that does not cause overheating |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- It can cause rebreathing, which increases carbon dioxide in the blood
- It can impair a baby's breathing
- They may choke on fluids that come from the stomach
- It's recommended that babies sleep on their back until they're one year old
Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the leading causes of death for babies in their first year of life. According to the CDC, in 2020, approximately 1,389 babies died of SIDS in the United States alone. Sleeping on the stomach is associated with a higher risk of SIDS. This is because sleeping on the stomach can cause rebreathing, where a baby inhales exhaled air that is trapped around their face. This air is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, which can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop and increase the risk of asphyxiation. Additionally, sleeping on the stomach can impair a baby's breathing by blocking their airways.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs for the first year of life. This includes naps and nighttime sleep. Placing babies on their backs to sleep helps to reduce the risk of rebreathing and asphyxiation. It is also recommended to keep the crib free of loose bedding, toys, and other soft objects that could pose a suffocation hazard.
Some babies may struggle to adjust to sleeping on their backs and may wake up more frequently. However, this is developmentally normal, and it is important to persist with back sleeping even if it seems like the baby is sleeping more lightly. Creating a soothing and calming bedtime routine can help babies settle and adjust to sleeping on their backs. Using a swaddle, white noise, or a pacifier can also help soothe babies and make it easier for them to fall asleep and stay asleep on their backs.
Once babies can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back on their own, they can be left in the position they choose after being placed on their backs to start sleep. It is important to ensure that babies have plenty of tummy time while they are awake to help them build the strength to roll over and avoid flat head syndrome.
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It can cause rebreathing, which increases carbon dioxide in the blood
The "Back to Sleep" campaign was launched in the early 1990s when research showed that putting babies under the age of 12 months to sleep on their backs reduced the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). One of the most significant dangers of letting a baby sleep on their stomach is rebreathing, which increases carbon dioxide in the blood.
Rebreathing occurs when a baby inhales their own exhaled breath, which is high in carbon dioxide. This can happen when a baby sleeps on their stomach and their exhaled air gets trapped around their face and is inhaled again. This air is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, which can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop. This condition is known as hypercapnia, which can lead to a host of other medical issues, including respiratory acidosis, headaches, confusion, and, in extreme cases, death.
The risk of rebreathing is also increased when babies sleep on soft surfaces or have stuffed animals, bedding, or pillows near their faces. Soft, adjustable mattresses, including those made of memory foam, can also increase the chances of rebreathing. This is because the baby's face can sink into the mattress, trapping their exhaled breath and making it more likely to be inhaled.
To prevent rebreathing and reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs for the first 12 months of their lives. This includes during daytime naps and at night. If a baby is able to roll over on their own, they can be left to sleep in the position they choose, but they should still be put down to sleep on their backs.
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It can impair a baby's breathing
It is unsafe for newborns to sleep on their stomachs. Sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The risk of SIDS is the highest when babies sleep on their stomachs. This is because babies who sleep on their stomachs are breathing in less air, which can increase their chance of SIDS.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs for the first year of their lives. The AAP also recommends that parents ensure that their baby's crib or bassinet is empty, except for a fitted sheet. This is because soft objects such as pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and loose bedding are all suffocation hazards for babies.
Babies who sleep on their backs might be less likely to choke than babies who sleep on their stomachs. This is because, when a baby is sleeping on their back, the trachea or windpipe sits on top of the opening of the oesophagus. Fluids that come from the stomach have to work against gravity to get into the windpipe and cause choking. When a baby is sleeping on their stomach, the opening of the tube to the stomach is on top of the opening of the windpipe. Because of gravity, fluids that come from the stomach will collect at the opening of the windpipe, making choking much more likely.
Additionally, rebreathing can occur when a baby sleeps on their stomach. This happens when exhaled air, which can get trapped around a baby's face, is inhaled again. This air is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, which can cause the oxygen levels in the blood to drop.
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They may choke on fluids that come from the stomach
It is unsafe for newborns to sleep on their stomachs. Healthcare experts recommend that babies sleep on their backs for the first 12 months to ensure their safety and peace of mind for the parents or caregivers.
One of the reasons why newborns shouldn't sleep on their stomachs is the risk of choking on fluids that come from the stomach. When a baby sleeps on their stomach, the opening of the oesophagus (tube to the stomach) is on top of the trachea (tube to the lungs). Due to gravity, any fluids that come up from the stomach will collect at the entrance of the trachea, increasing the risk of choking. This is especially concerning for babies who spit up or have gastroesophageal reflux, as the acidic stomach juices or food and fluids can back up into the throat and cause choking.
To reduce the risk of choking, it is crucial to always place newborns on their backs to sleep, even if they seem more comfortable or sleep more lightly on their stomachs. It is also important to note that babies should sleep on a firm, flat, and level surface without any extra bedding, pillows, or toys that could pose a suffocation risk. Additionally, swaddling can be used to help newborns feel snug and secure while sleeping on their backs, but it should be discontinued once they start rolling over to reduce the risk of entrapment and strangulation.
While infant deaths from choking during sleep are rare, and healthy babies have a reflex to swallow or cough up fluids to keep their airways clear, the risk of choking is still higher when sleeping on the stomach due to the position of the trachea and oesophagus. Therefore, it is recommended to always place newborns on their backs to sleep, even for naps, to reduce the risk of choking and other hazards associated with stomach sleeping, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and rebreathing.
It is understandable that parents and caregivers may be concerned about their newborn's comfort and sleep quality. However, the priority should be creating a safe sleep environment to prevent any potential risks. As newborns grow and develop, they will eventually be able to roll over and adjust their sleeping positions independently. In the meantime, it is crucial to follow the recommendations of healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and well-being of newborns during sleep.
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It's recommended that babies sleep on their back until they're one year old
It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs until they are one year old. This is because sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is one of the leading causes of death for babies in their first year of life, affecting about 3,400 babies in the United States each year. Sleeping on the back is the best and safest position for a baby during the first year of life.
If your baby is not keen on back sleeping, there are some tricks you can use to help them feel more secure. For example, you can swaddle them, as most newborns are happier in a swaddle as it feels more like being in the womb. You can also try using white noise to drown out sounds that could startle your baby awake, or using a pacifier, which can be soothing and has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS when paired with back sleeping.
It is important to note that if your baby can easily roll from back to stomach and back again, stomach sleeping is safe. At that point, the risk of SIDS drops significantly. However, until your baby reaches this milestone, it is important to always place them on their back for every sleep, including naps. If your newborn or young baby does roll onto their side or stomach during sleep, return them to the back position. Continue doing this until your older baby can comfortably roll both ways on their own.
Additionally, it is recommended to keep the crib free of loose bedding, toys, and other soft objects, as these can pose a suffocation hazard. It is also important to ensure that your baby is not overheating by checking the room temperature and clothing. Following these recommendations can help create a safe sleep environment for your baby and reduce the risk of SIDS.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is also believed that sleeping on the stomach can block airways and impair a baby's breathing.
The safest sleeping position for newborns is on their back. This position is recommended for the first year of life.
If your newborn rolls onto their stomach, you should place them back on their back. This should be continued until the baby can comfortably roll both ways on their own.
Some tips to help newborns sleep comfortably on their back include swaddling, using white noise, and using a pacifier. It is also important to ensure that the room temperature is comfortable and that the baby's clothing is not causing them to overheat.
