Evie Summers
Newborns should sleep on their backs because sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While it is normal for newborns to sleep better on their tummies, it is unsafe for them to do so before turning one. This is because sleeping on the stomach can cause rebreathing, where exhaled air is inhaled again, leading to lower oxygen and higher carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Additionally, babies can suffocate on their mattress or soft objects in their crib, such as pillows, blankets, or toys. To create a safe sleep environment, it is recommended to place infants on their backs with no soft, loose bedding in the sleep area.
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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 is when exhaled air is inhaled again, reducing oxygen levels in the blood
- It can impair a baby's breathing by blocking their airways
- Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to develop flat spots on their heads
- If a baby can roll both ways, it is safe for them to sleep on their stomach
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. While there are various contributing factors to SIDS, one of the most prominent is allowing babies to sleep on their stomachs. Sleeping on the stomach is an unsafe sleeping position for newborns and young babies, as it increases the risk of SIDS. This is why it is crucial to always place them on their back for every sleep, including naps, during their first year of life.
The back-sleeping position is recommended as the safest sleeping position for babies during their first year. It is advised to continue placing them in the crib on their back even after they turn one. By placing babies on their backs, the risk of SIDS is significantly reduced. This recommendation is supported by statistics, which show that as more parents started placing their babies on their backs to sleep, the number of SIDS cases decreased. In 1991, when only 13% of babies slept on their backs, there were 1.3 SIDS deaths per 1,000 babies. However, by 2006, with over 75% of infants sleeping on their backs, the rate dropped to 0.55 deaths per 1,000.
One of the primary concerns with stomach sleeping is rebreathing. This occurs when a baby inhales exhaled air that is trapped around their face, leading to lower oxygen and higher carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Additionally, sleeping on the stomach can block airways and impair a baby's breathing, resulting in asphyxiation. It is important to note that even if a baby seems more comfortable or sleeps more lightly on their stomach, safety should always come first.
If a baby rolls onto their stomach during sleep, it is not necessary to turn them back onto their back if they can easily roll both ways. However, if they haven't developed this ability yet, it is recommended to gently return them to the back position. It is crucial to ensure that there is no soft, loose bedding or toys in the baby's sleep area, as these can pose suffocation hazards.
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It can cause rebreathing, which is when exhaled air is inhaled again, reducing oxygen levels in the blood
It is unsafe for newborns to sleep on their stomachs. One of the reasons for this is that it can cause rebreathing. Rebreathing is when exhaled air, which is higher in carbon dioxide and lower in oxygen, is inhaled again. This can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop.
According to Denise Scott, MD, an Oklahoma-based pediatrician:
> Rebreathing is primarily thought to occur when an infant is face-down on a mattress or other surface, or when something covers the baby’s face, such as a blanket, pillow, toy, another person, or an animal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also notes that soft, adjustable mattresses, including memory foam, can increase the chances of rebreathing.
To avoid rebreathing, it is recommended that newborns sleep on their backs for the first year of life. This is because back-sleeping is associated with the lowest risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While SIDS has multiple contributing factors, allowing babies to sleep on their stomachs is a leading cause.
If your baby is uncomfortable sleeping on their back, there are tricks to help them feel more secure. Dr. Badgett recommends swaddling, as it feels more like being in the womb. You can also try using white noise to drown out startling sounds or giving them a pacifier, which can further reduce the risk of SIDS when paired with back sleeping.
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It can impair a baby's breathing by blocking their airways
The medical community agrees that putting a baby to sleep on their back is the only safe way to sleep. Sleeping on the stomach is unsafe because it can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This is because sleeping on the stomach can impair a baby's breathing by blocking their airways.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on their backs for the first year of life. This recommendation is based on research that has shown a link between stomach sleeping and an increased risk of SIDS. According to the CDC, in 2020, approximately 1,389 babies died of SIDS in the United States.
One of the main concerns with stomach sleeping is rebreathing. This occurs when a baby inhales air that has been exhaled and is trapped around their face. This air is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide, which can cause a baby's oxygen levels to drop. Soft mattresses, such as those made of memory foam, can also increase the risk of rebreathing.
It is important to note that some babies may be able to roll from back to stomach and back again before they turn one. If a baby can easily roll both ways, the risk of SIDS is significantly reduced. However, until they reach this milestone, it is recommended to always place them on their back for sleep.
If a baby rolls onto their stomach during sleep, it is not necessary to turn them back onto their back as long as they are able to roll both ways. The important thing is that they start every sleep on their back and that there are no soft or loose objects in the crib that could pose a suffocation hazard.
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Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to develop flat spots on their heads
It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs for the entirety of their first year of life. This is because sleeping on the stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and rebreathing. The former 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 annually.
While it is important to prioritise a baby's safety, their comfort is also crucial. Some babies may not like sleeping on their backs at first, but most get used to it quickly. The earlier you start placing your baby on their back to sleep, the more quickly they will adjust to the position.
If your baby is still struggling to sleep on their back, there are some tricks you can try to help them feel more secure. For example, most newborns are happier when swaddled as it feels more like being in the womb. You can use a thin swaddle blanket to make a snug baby burrito. However, watch your baby, and when they can roll onto their side or stomach, it is time to stop swaddling.
Another method to help your baby sleep on their back is to turn on a fan or white noise machine to drown out any sounds that could startle them awake. Preventing the startle reflex can make it easier for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep on their back. You can also try using a pacifier, as some evidence suggests that when paired with back sleeping, pacifier use can further reduce the risk of SIDS.
In summary, it is important to place your baby on their back to sleep for their safety and to reduce the risk of flat spots on their heads.
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If a baby can roll both ways, it is safe for them to sleep on their stomach
It is recommended that newborns and babies under one year of age sleep on their backs. Sleeping on the back is the single most effective way to lower a baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sleeping on the stomach can increase the risk of SIDS as the baby may be breathing in less air. This risk also applies to sleeping on the side, as babies can easily roll onto their stomach from this position.
However, once a baby can roll both ways (from tummy to back and back to tummy) on their own, it is generally considered safe to leave them to sleep on their stomach if they roll that way during sleep. This is because they have the strength and mobility to move their head to the side to breathe more easily. Most infants can roll both ways by 6 months of age, but some babies can roll over as early as 3 or 4 months.
If your baby is not yet able to roll both ways, it is important to always place them on their back to sleep and return them to this position if they roll onto their side or stomach. To help your baby build the strength to roll over, give them plenty of tummy time while they are awake and supervised. Tummy time also helps to avoid flat head syndrome, which can develop when babies spend too much time sleeping on their backs.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping on the 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 best and safest sleeping position for a newborn is on their back.
If your baby is able to roll both ways (back to stomach and stomach to back) comfortably, you do not need to turn them back onto their back. However, it is important that they start every sleep on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS.
The baby's comfort is important, but safety is more important. Most babies get used to sleeping on their back quickly.
Some tips to help your baby sleep comfortably on their back include swaddling, using white noise or a pacifier, and ensuring the room temperature is between 68° and 72°F.
