The sleeping position of newborns has always been a topic of concern for parents and medical professionals, as proper sleeping position is essential for the health and safety of newborns. Recommendations for optimal sleeping position in newborns during their first month are based on studies to avoid sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths.
Since 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that babies lie flat, in the supine sleeping position, as a measure to prevent SIDS. The supine sleeping position is considered the safest because it keeps the airway open and reduces the risk of suffocation and obstructed breathing.
The advantages of sleeping on your back include:
Reducing the risk of SIDS:Studies have shown that sleeping on your back can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Reduces obstruction of breathing:When an infant is lying flat, the tongue is less likely to block the airway, which is more likely to occur when sleeping on the side or stomach.
Lying on your side was once considered a safe option, but subsequent studies have shown that this position is not as safe as sleeping on your back. Babies may roll over on their tummy when lying on their side, which increases the risk of SIDS.
The disadvantages of lying on your side include:
Poor stability:Newborns may not be able to control their movements and tend to roll from their side to their stomachs.
Increased risk of SIDS:Some studies have shown that lying on your side may be associated with an increased risk of SIDS.
Here are some tips for ensuring your newborn sleeps safely:
Always sleep with the baby on your back :Until the baby is able to roll over on its own, it should be placed on the back every time you sleep.
Use a hard sleeping surface:Babies should sleep on a firm mattress rather than a soft cushion, couch, or other soft surface.
Avoid floppy items on the bed:There should be no pillows, quilts, blankets, and toys in the bed, which may increase the risk of choking.
Maintain a comfortable room temperatureDo not over-wrap the baby or let the room get too hot to avoid overheating.
Consider using a sleeping bag:Using an appropriately sized baby sleeping bag can avoid the need for a comforter.
Do not smoke in the crib:Babies exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of SIDS.
Keep the baby's head exposed:to ensure that the baby is breathing freely.
Some parents may consider having the baby lie on his or her side or raised with a pillow because of concerns about regurgitation (return of stomach contents to the esophagus) when the baby sleeps on his back. However, the AAP recommends that even for babies with reflux problems, sleep on your back because sleeping on your back does not increase the risk of choking, and most infants' reflux is physiological and usually does not harm them.
If the baby has severe reflux problems, a doctor should be consulted. The doctor may recommend the use of special beds or sleeping ramps, but this should be done under medical supervision.
According to current medical guidance and research findings, newborns should always be in a flat lying (sleeping on their back) position during the first month. This helps to reduce the risk of SIDS and ensure the safety and health of the baby. Although lying on your side may seem safe or comfortable in some cases, it is not recommended as a regular sleeping position option because it may turn the baby over on the tummy and thus increase the risk of SIDS.
Parents and caregivers should always follow the advice of a medical professional and maintain consistency in all sleep and rest moments to ensure the best possible safety for their babies. If you have any questions or concerns, you should consult your doctor or pediatrician for advice and guidance specific to the individual baby.