Miya Pearson
Newborns need to sleep flat to reduce the risk of suffocation, choking, or positional asphyxia. Sleeping on a flat surface also helps to prevent plagiocephaly, a flattening of the head that can occur when babies spend too much time lying down. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on their backs on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface without any other objects or soft bedding. This is because sleeping on an incline can cause infants to slide down and obstruct their airway, increasing the risk of choking or aspiration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping position | Supine (on their back) |
| Sleeping surface | Firm, flat, and level |
| Inclined sleepers | Increase the risk of choking and aspiration |
| Soft bedding | Should be avoided |
| Other objects on the sleeping surface | Should be avoided to reduce the risk of suffocation or entrapment |
| Crib bumpers | Should be avoided |
| Bed-sharing | Should be avoided |
| Plagiocephaly | A flat area that develops on the back or one side of the baby's head |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping on an incline can cause choking and aspiration
A firm, flat surface for sleeping does not increase the risk of choking or aspiration, even if coughing and gagging in this setting is sometimes mistaken for choking. The AAP's insistence on a flat sleeping surface for babies follows years of warnings that babies sleeping prone or on their sides are at increased risk of rebreathing expired gases, potentially leading to hypoxia and hypercapnia, as well as overheating.
Similarly, sleep surfaces that elevate both the baby's head and feet, like a hammock, also increase the risk for positional asphyxia. Sitting with the head down and the chin on or near the chest could block the baby's airway and cause suffocation. For these reasons, a baby's sleep surface should be firm (returning to its original shape quickly if pressed on), flat (like a table, not a hammock), and level (not at an angle or inclined).
Manufacturers like Fisher-Price have recalled millions of inclined sleepers because of infant deaths. In May 2022, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 banning crib bumpers and inclined sleepers became law.
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A flat surface reduces the risk of suffocation
A flat surface also reduces the risk of rebreathing expired gases, which can lead to hypoxia and hypercapnia, as well as overheating.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a firm, flat surface for sleeping does not increase the risk of choking or aspiration.
It is important to note that there should be no other objects on the flat surface to further reduce the risk of suffocation or entrapment.
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Inclined sleepers have been recalled due to infant deaths
Newborns should sleep on their backs on a flat, non-inclined surface without soft bedding. This is because sleeping on an incline can cause infants to slide down and obstruct their airway, roll onto their side or into a prone position, and suffocate.
The incline of the sleeper can cause a baby's head to slump forward, cutting off their airway. This can lead to positional asphyxia, where the baby's airway is blocked and they suffocate.
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A firm surface reduces the risk of positional asphyxia
A firm, flat surface reduces the risk of positional asphyxia. Inclined sleepers, couches, and armchairs can cause infants to slide down and obstruct their airways. They may also roll onto their sides or into a prone position. A firm, flat surface for sleeping does not increase the risk of choking or aspiration.
Inclined sleepers have been linked to infant deaths. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued guidelines that recommend a fully firm and flat surface for sleeping babies. This is because a flat surface reduces the risk of suffocation or entrapment.
The AAP also warns against babies sleeping prone or on their sides, as this can increase the risk of rebreathing expired gases, potentially leading to hypoxia and hypercapnia, as well as overheating.
A firm, flat surface, like a table, is the safest option for a baby's sleep surface. It should also be level, not at an angle or inclined. This may seem bare, but it is the safest option.
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Babies should sleep on their backs
Babies who sleep on their backs are also less likely to develop plagiocephaly, a condition where a flat area develops at the back of or on one side of the head. This condition usually improves on its own if the baby spends less time lying down.
It is important to follow safe sleep practices for babies, including putting them to sleep on their backs on a flat surface and avoiding bed-sharing. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides guidelines for safe sleep practices for babies, and it is important to follow these guidelines to ensure the baby's safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need to sleep on a flat surface to reduce the risk of suffocation or entrapment. Sleeping on a flat surface also reduces the risk of choking or aspiration.
If a newborn sleeps on an incline, they are more likely to slide down and obstruct their airway. They are also at risk of rolling onto their side or into a prone position, which can lead to rebreathing expired gases, potentially causing hypoxia and hypercapnia, as well as overheating.
The safest position for a newborn to sleep in is on their back on a flat, non-inclined surface without soft bedding.
Unsafe sleeping surfaces include inclined sleepers, couches, armchairs, and hammocks.
A flat spot on a baby's head is called plagiocephaly. This usually gets better on its own if your baby spends less time lying down.
