Evie Summers
Many newborns like to sleep on their stomachs, and while this may be soothing for them, it is not without risks. Sleeping on their stomach increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as it can cause overheating, rebreathing, and suffocation. Therefore, pediatricians recommend that babies are always put to sleep on their backs until they are at least 12 months old. However, if a baby can roll over on their own, it is generally considered safe to leave them in the position they choose.
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What You'll Learn
- Stomach sleeping increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Babies who sleep on their stomachs may have trouble getting enough oxygen
- Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to aspirate if they spit up
- Babies should sleep on their backs until at least 12 months old
- Tummy time helps babies build core, neck, shoulder, and arm strength
Stomach sleeping increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Sleeping on the stomach is soothing for babies and can help them calm down. However, it is not recommended as a sleeping position for newborns. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies are always put to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Stomach sleeping increases the risk of SIDS, which is the term used to describe the unexpected or unexplained death of a healthy infant between newborn and 1 year of age, usually during sleep. Most SIDS-related incidents occur before the age of 6 months, with babies between 1 and 4 months old being the most vulnerable. Research shows that babies who sleep on their stomachs are more than twice as likely to die of SIDS than infants sleeping in other positions.
When a baby sleeps on their stomach, they are more likely to overheat, breathe in too much carbon dioxide, and suffocate, which are all linked to SIDS. Stomach sleeping may inhibit the ability to release heat and regulate body temperature, especially in low-birthweight babies, leading to overheating, a significant risk factor for SIDS. Additionally, babies who sleep on their stomachs may re-breathe expired air trapped in the bedding, resulting in dangerously high carbon dioxide levels and low oxygen levels in their bodies.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended to always place babies on their backs to sleep, on a flat and solid surface, with no extra bedding or toys. This recommendation applies to all sleep times, including naps and overnight sleep. While it can be challenging to follow these guidelines, especially when babies seem to sleep better on their stomachs, the benefits of reducing SIDS risk outweigh the risks.
If your baby consistently rolls onto their stomach while sleeping and you are certain they can easily roll from their stomach to their back, it is generally considered safe to let them continue sleeping in that position. However, it is important to ensure that there are no obstructions in the cot or crib that could pose a suffocation risk.
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Babies who sleep on their stomachs may have trouble getting enough oxygen
Sleeping on their stomach can increase a baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is because babies who sleep on their stomachs may re-breathe the air they have exhaled, which is lower in oxygen and higher in carbon dioxide. This can lead to the baby having too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in their bodies, increasing the risk of suffocation.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should be put to sleep on their backs until they are at least 12 months old. The AAP's recommendation is based on decades of research and has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. The AAP's "Back to Sleep" campaign, now known as the "Safe to Sleep" movement, has helped decrease deaths from SIDS from 130.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 35.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018.
However, it is fine for babies to sleep on their stomachs if they can roll both ways (from tummy to back and back to tummy) and have rolled over on their own during sleep. In this case, it is not necessary to turn the baby back onto their back. It is important to ensure that the baby's sleep environment is safe and free of any hazards that could increase the risk of suffocation, such as loose blankets, toys, or pillows.
While it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS, some babies may prefer to sleep on their stomachs. This could be because the stomach position is soothing and activates calming mechanisms in babies up to 3 months old. However, once a baby is in a calm, sleepy state, it is important to put them to bed on their back.
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Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to aspirate if they spit up
Many parents believe that babies who sleep on their stomachs are less likely to aspirate, or accidentally breathe fluid into their lungs, if they spit up while sleeping. However, according to Becker Freidman, this is not the case. "Due to the position of the trachea and oesophagus, back sleepers are much less likely to aspirate if they spit up," they explain.
Aspiration is when something enters the airway or lungs by accident. It may be food, liquid, or some other material. This can cause serious health problems, such as pneumonia. Aspiration can happen when a person has trouble swallowing normally, a condition known as dysphagia. It can also occur in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where the contents of the stomach come back up into the throat.
When a baby is sleeping on their back, the trachea (or windpipe) sits on top of the oesophagus, which is the tube that leads to the stomach. This means that fluids that come up from the stomach have to work against gravity to get into the windpipe and cause choking. On the other hand, when a baby is sleeping on their stomach, the oesophagus is on top of the trachea. Due to gravity, fluids that come up from the stomach will collect at the opening of the trachea, making choking much more likely.
Additionally, if a baby without sufficient head control rolls onto their stomach with their face buried in a mattress or bedding, this could pose a suffocation risk. To help protect against suffocation, ensure that the crib is free from pillows, bumpers, and other soft objects, and avoid using sleep wedges or weighted sleep sacks that could inhibit the baby's movement. It is also important to stop swaddling the baby once they begin to roll, as they could end up face-down on the mattress without being able to move to a free-breathing position.
While it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS and aspiration, it is important to note that 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 initially placed on their back to sleep.
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Babies should sleep on their backs until at least 12 months old
It is understandable that parents want their newborns to sleep well, and some babies seem to sleep better on their stomachs. However, it is recommended that babies sleep on their backs until at least 12 months old. This is because sleeping on their stomach increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Research has shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs are more than twice as likely to die of SIDS than infants sleeping in other positions. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant, usually during sleep. While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has found that the rate of SIDS has decreased since it recommended putting babies to sleep on their backs in 1992.
Babies who sleep on their stomachs are more likely to overheat, breathe in too much carbon dioxide, and suffocate, all of which are linked to SIDS. Sleeping on the back can also help prevent accidental suffocation and strangulation. Additionally, babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to aspirate or accidentally breathe fluid into their lungs if they spit up while sleeping. To further reduce the risk of SIDS, it is important to use a firm, flat sleep surface and avoid soft bedding, such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, and bumpers.
It is important to note that babies should not be swaddled once they start trying to roll over, as this could increase the risk of suffocation if they end up face-down on the mattress without being able to move. Instead, dress your baby in a lightweight wearable swaddle or sleep sack, keeping their head and face uncovered to prevent overheating. It is also recommended to offer a pacifier to your baby at sleep time, but don't force it if they're not interested.
While it may be tempting to let your baby sleep on their stomach if that's what helps them sleep through the night, it is important to prioritize their safety. Putting your baby to sleep on their back until they are at least one year old, creating a safe sleep environment, and following other safe sleep practices recommended by the AAP can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related accidents.
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Tummy time helps babies build core, neck, shoulder, and arm strength
It is understandable that you may be concerned about your newborn's preference for sleeping on their stomach. While it is true that some babies find comfort and calmness in sleeping on their stomachs, it is important to prioritize their safety.
The Risks of Stomach Sleeping:
Research has consistently shown that stomach sleeping for babies increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is primarily due to the increased likelihood of rebreathing, which occurs when a baby inhales their exhaled breath, resulting in higher carbon dioxide and lower oxygen levels in the body, increasing the risk of suffocation. Additionally, stomach sleeping can cause choking if stomach fluids flow upwards and gather at the entrance of the lung tube. These risks are especially prominent during the first year of a baby's life, and it is recommended to place babies on their backs to sleep until at least their first birthday.
Tummy Time for Strength and Skill Development:
Now, let's discuss how "tummy time" can benefit your baby. Tummy time is crucial for your baby's development and can be safely practiced while they are awake and supervised. By placing your baby on their stomach during tummy time, they will gradually build strength in their core, neck, shoulders, and arms. This strengthened upper body will enable them to roll over more easily, sit up, crawl, and eventually walk. Tummy time also helps prevent flat spots on their head from sleeping on their back and plays a vital role in developing their motor skills.
To make tummy time more enjoyable for your baby, you can place a book or toy in front of them to capture their interest. You can also try laying them tummy-to-tummy across your lap, which can be comforting for them. It is recommended to gradually introduce tummy time, starting with a few minutes at a time and gradually increasing the duration. By 2 months old, aim for around 15 to 30 minutes of supervised tummy time each day.
In summary, while it is important to respect your newborn's preferences and comfort, their safety should always come first. Stomach sleeping should be avoided, especially during the first year, due to the increased risks of SIDS and choking. Instead, incorporate tummy time into their daily routine to help them build strength and develop essential motor skills. Once your baby can confidently roll both ways and has good head and trunk control, it is generally considered safe to let them sleep in the position they prefer.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe for newborns to sleep on their stomach. Sleeping on the back is the safest option for newborns and infants and significantly lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Stomach sleeping is soothing to babies and activates a calming mechanism in babies up to 3 months old. However, it is not safe for babies to sleep on their stomach before they turn one as it increases the risk of SIDS and choking.
Babies can sleep on their stomach safely once they can roll both ways (from tummy to back and back to tummy) on their own. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends putting babies to sleep on their backs until at least 12 months of age.
