The safest position for a newborn to sleep in is a question that many parents have. It is normal to worry about your infant’s well-being and comfort, particularly when they are sleeping and you are unable to monitor them constantly. Whether it’s okay for a newborn to sleep on their back is one frequently asked question.
Most experts advise putting newborns to sleep on their backs because it lowers the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Their breathing is supported and their airways are kept clear in this position.
Naturally, each baby is unique, so parents might worry about things like comfort or spitting up. This post will discuss the benefits of back sleeping as well as safe and sound baby sleeping practices.
| Question | Answer |
| Can a newborn sleep on his back? | Yes, it"s recommended. Sleeping on the back is considered safest for newborns as it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). |
Newborns can sleep on their backs, and in fact, should. When it comes to lowering the risk of SIDS, this is the safest position. Whether it’s bedtime or a nap, experts advise putting babies to sleep on their backs every time. Studies have demonstrated that healthy babies have reflexes to maintain clear airways, despite parents’ concerns about choking. Just make sure there are no toys or soft bedding in the crib to maintain a safe sleeping environment.
- Choosing a pose
- How to put it down correctly?
- The best position
- Video on the topic
- Rules for safe sleep for a baby
- HOW a baby should SLEEP? Baby"s position during sleep.
- Safe sleep for a newborn – advice from a neonatologist-resuscitator on reducing the risk of SIDS
- Can a newborn sleep on his back – features and positions
- CHILD SLEEP | In what position should a baby sleep and why
- 5 rules for safe sleep for a newborn – the correct positions for a baby to sleep
Choosing a pose
A newborn baby can sleep in any position, like his parents, including on his side, on his stomach, or on his back, theoretically and physiologically speaking. A lot relies on the baby’s decision; infants naturally select the position that most closely resembles their intrauterine environment. The infant, however, will comply with his parents’ choice of sleeping position without protest because he is too small and has an excessive demand for sleep.
Parents should consider the potential repercussions and the risk of SIDS when choosing a sleeping position for their infant. Science does not yet fully understand its true causes, but the following risk factors are readily apparent:
- prematurity;
- male gender of the baby;
- winter season;
- child from twins;
- mother"s age at the time of birth is less than 18 years;
- sleeping on the stomach.
This does not imply that all infants sleeping on their stomachs run the risk of passing away unexpectedly from a mysterious cause that interrupted breathing while they slept. Many babies survive and remain healthy while sleeping soundly on their tummies. However, the risk is still not worth it.
Because the baby can burp while he sleeps, sleeping on the side is already less risky. Yet, kids seldom ever sleep soundly or for extended periods of time on their sides because they end up with numb limbs.
Most of the time, pediatricians from all over the world advise parents to put their infants to sleep on their backs. The child can arrange his arms and legs in any way that is comfortable for him, and he can adjust his position at any time if it starts to feel uncomfortable. This makes the position the most physiological.
There are drawbacks to this position as well. For example, a month-old baby may find it difficult to breathe while lying flat on his back if he has a runny nose, which can be either physiological or pathological.
If a child has intestinal infant colic, it can be more difficult to manage while sleeping on their back. Additionally, children who are prone to regurgitation may choke while they sleep.
How to put it down correctly?
If the choice is made for the baby to sleep on their back, you should be aware that this position will necessitate more attentive care from parents. The child must be placed with his head turned to the side in order to rule out asphyxia as the cause of his belching. Belching will not be able to enter the respiratory system in this position. The most important thing is to consistently rotate the baby’s head in different directions. The baby’s head needs to be turned to the left the next time he falls asleep if he previously slept with it turned to the right. This will encourage the neck and shoulder girdle muscles to develop symmetrically.
Some kids adamantly object to dozing off on their backs. Such babies can sleep in any position that is convenient and comfortable for them, thanks to their parents. Once the infant nods off, you’ll need to turn him to his side and place him on his back, which is a safer position.
A baby may wake up repeatedly at night if he waves his arms while he sleeps. Consequently, the infant and mother won’t get enough sleep. In this situation, swaddling, whether tight or loose, is generally advised; however, if parents choose this option, they will have to choose to sleep on their sides rather than their backs. In this way, a swaddled baby will be more convenient and comfortable.
The best position
Experts differ in their opinions, but generally speaking, being on the side is the safest position. A baby cannot turn over on his own while sleeping until he is one month old. As he grows older, parents may be able to reevaluate the arrangement and combine it with sleeping on his stomach and back.
When a child is side-positioned and has trouble breathing through their nose, it is easier for them to breathe. Additionally, when they burp, the stomach contents will not suffocate them or enter their respiratory system. When a baby has colic, this position can also be very helpful. The child can pull his legs to his stomach in this position, even if he is swaddled, and the mother can more easily place a heating pad or warm diaper on the baby’s tummy.
One drawback of the lateral position is that the child may turn face down at any time. Doctors recommend rolling tiny rollers out of the diaper to avoid this. It is advised to place one in front of the infant to stop him from rolling onto his stomach and the other on his back to stop him from rolling onto his back. The infant will be safely secured between soft rollers in this situation, resulting in a more peaceful and restful night’s sleep.
When placing your infant on its side, keep in mind that you must always place it on the opposite side—that is, first on the right, then on the left, and finally back on the right. This is critical to prevent torticollis formation and to prevent deformation of the flexible and pliable skull bones in newborns.
Pediatricians advise that allowing a newborn to sleep on their back is not only safe but also healthy. One major worry for many parents is the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is lessened by this position.
The likelihood of a baby choking in this position is very low due to the body’s natural reflexes, despite some parents worrying about it. You can be sure that when a newborn sleeps on their back, their airway will stay open.
Naturally, it’s crucial to provide a firm mattress and to keep toys, pillows, and soft bedding out of the crib. It’s important to keep the sleeping area safe in addition to choosing the right sleeping posture.
