Newborn babies can sleep even for 18 hours a day for the first few weeks after birth and their sleeping pattern is really unpredictable for a few weeks. You can’t put them to sleep according to your schedule. However, babies usually never consistently sleep for more than 3-4 hours, whether day or night. For new parents, especially first-time parents, here are a few important things about safe sleeping positions for newborn you must know.
Just like us adults, babies also differ from each other in their sleeping habits. Most newborns and young babies sleep for several hours in a day, waking up for just a few hours for a feed and some playtime. As they grow, waking times increase and nap times reduce gradually. Whether you are co-sleeping with your baby or putting them in a crib or a bassinet, safe sleeping positions are something you should give utmost priority to. Sleeping on the stomach is unsafe for babies as they are not capable enough to turn around on their own and this position increases the risk of SIDS. So, what are the safe sleep positions and for how long should you monitor them? Read the article to know more.
In This Article
- Safe Sleeping Positions For a Newborn
- What is SIDS in Babies?
- What Are The Main Causes of SIDS?
- Situations When Babies Should be Placed on Their Stomachs to Sleep
- Should Preterm Infants Be Placed on Their Backs For Sleep?
- How Often Should Parents Check on Infants During Sleep to Make Sure They Are Safe?
- Tips For Parents Whose Infants Have Difficulty Sleeping on Their Back
- FAQ’s
Safe Sleeping Positions For a Newborn
Caring for a newborn can be quite a task. Their erratic sleep, feed, and potty schedules can be tiring for the newborn baby’s parents and parents and caregivers have to sacrifice their sleep too. You must feed your baby no matter when they wake up, and you may need to hold it in your lap. Since babies have tiny stomachs, they sometimes need to be fed every two hours throughout the day. While parents must know about these erratic schedules and how to manage them, knowing the safe and unsafe sleeping positions for your newborn is equally vital
Several types of research are underway about the safest baby sleeping position. For example, a study shows that babies who sleep on their stomachs receive less oxygen and face difficulty releasing carbon dioxide. When your infant sleeps on their stomach, they inhale air from small bedding pockets pulled up near the nose. As a result, babies may die because of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). There are some underdeveloped areas in the baby’s brain. These underdeveloped areas prevent babies from waking up and protect them from suffocation. Hence, the best safe sleeping position for a newborn is lying on the back. Babies sleeping while lying on the stomach can’t breathe properly, and there are fewer chances of suffocation.
What is SIDS in Babies?
SIDS refers to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, often called “Cot Death.” It is an unexplained death of the baby due to a wrong sleeping position or suffocation. This unexpected death happens to otherwise seemingly healthy babies who are less than one year old. SIDS is sometimes called crib death because a baby dies while sleeping in their crib.
[Read : What Is SIDS?]
What Are the Main Causes of SIDS?
There are a lot of factors responsible for SIDS. These conditions vary from baby to baby. Physical factors that are associated with SIDS are as follows:
1. Brain Defects
Some babies are born with major brain defects, especially the area of the brain that controls arousal and breathing hasn’t developed completely. So, babies with such defects are likely to have SIDS.
2. Low Birth Weight
Premature babies have low weight, and babies born as a part of multiple births have chances of an underdeveloped brain. As a result, these babies have less control over their heart rate and breathing. This is why they are at greater risk of SIDS.
3. Respiratory Infection
An infant who is suffering from respiratory infection may die because of SIDS. This is because the chest infection blocks the respiratory pathway. This may become the reason for SIDS.
4. Sleeping on Stomach
Babies sleeping on their stomachs can be the reason for SIDS. But first, it leads to suffocation and eventually becomes the reason for the death of a baby.
5. Sharing Bed
Sharing a bed with young siblings, parents and pets can also cause SIDS.
[Read : Precautions To Take While Co-Sleeping With Your Newborn]
Situations When Babies Should be Placed on Their Stomachs to Sleep
Safe sleeping positions for newborn are easy to understand if you pay a little attention. Newborn babies are at greater risk of SIDS until they are a few months old. Hence, making your baby sleep in a supine position or flat on the back is crucial. However, when your babies learn to roll over at six to seven months, they turn their position and start sleeping on their tummy.
Although babies are still at greater risk of SIDS, older babies have a reduced risk factor due to better brain development. At this stage, infants start to roll around and tend to sleep on their stomachs at times. Since they continue to change positions throughout the night, they may not be at that high a risk. But as parents, you still monitor baby’s sleeping position until they reach the age of 12 months.
Once they reach one year’s age, you don’t need to bother about your sleeping position. Moreover, you don’t even need to control the baby’s sleeping position.
Should Preterm Infants Be Placed on Their Backs For Sleep?
Most preterm babies are placed in a face-down position to improve the flow of oxygen to the brain. However, if your baby sleeps in a prone position for longer, they may be at greater risk of SIDS. Therefore, the best way to prevent such a condition is to place your baby on their back in the crib close to the bed. In addition, it helps to avoid the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
How Often Should Parents Check on Infants During Sleep to Make Sure They Are Safe?
Babies usually sleep for 9-14 hours a day. The newborn babies are sleepy, and they sleep for a longer time. However, as a parent, you must check on your baby at a regular interval of 20-30 minutes. It helps monitor their sleeping position and allows you to change their sleeping position to avoid the risk of SIDS.
Tips For Parents Whose Infants Have Difficulty Sleeping on Their Back
Most babies have difficulty sleeping in the back positions. Here are some tips for parents whose infants have difficulty sleeping in the back position.
1. Always Place Your Baby in Side Position or Back
If your babies are unable to sleep in the back position, you can make them sleep in the side position with the help of a pillow. However, if you are laying them on their back, use a rounded hollow baby’s pillow to place their head firmly. This helps them get better sleep with minimal discomfort.
2. A Hard and Firm Sleep Surface is Ideal
Choose a firm mattress with a cotton sheet as a sleeping surface for the baby. Also, make sure that the bassinet and crib meet safety standards. A firm sleeping surface can help improve babies’ sleep and reduces the risk of SIDS.
3. Avoid Getting Your Baby Too Warm And Hot
Always choose light and loose clothing when you are making your baby sleep. Overdressing or over-bundling the baby can cause them to feel hot and suffocated. They sweat a lot and cannot sleep properly, which can be a reason for SIDS.
4. Keep The Bassinet or Crib Clutter-Free
Keep the crib neat and clean. Do not overcrowd the crib with pillows, toys, unfitted sheets, blankets, sheepskins, quilts, and other stuff. It may suffocate your baby, and eventually, your baby will be at risk of SIDS. Instead, keep it clean and let your baby breathe properly.
5. Make Your Baby Sleep with Pacifier
You can also use a pacifier to make your babies sleep and avoid SIDS risk. However, if your baby rejects the pacifier, do not push it into the mouth.
A baby’s sleep is always unpredictable, and most parents get exhausted thanks to sleepless nights and frequent waking-ups. Do not worry about your baby’s sleeping schedule as long as they rest properly and seem happy. You may feel trouble at some moment with the baby’s sleeping habits and pattern in the beginning. But as a parent, having a good understanding of baby sleep basics helps you create the right and safe sleeping environment and avoid the risk of SIDS and sleep disturbance.
[Read : Baby Safety- Crib and Baby Bed Safety Tips]
FAQ’s
1. What is the Best Sleep Surface For Babies?
A firm flat surface is the best sleeping surface for babies. Whether choosing a bassinet or a crib, this is an important point to consider. Babies do sleep well on soft surfaces but be sure not to exceed sleeping time on soft surfaces because it can increase sleep-related problems.
2. Does Bed-Sharing Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
No, bed-sharing doesn’t reduce the risk of SIDS; instead, it increases the risk of sleeping-related death in babies.
3. Do Pacifiers Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
Sucking pacifiers not only help to ease down colicky babies but also help to reduce the risk of SIDS. Using a pacifier in a sleep position can be effective against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
4. Can Babies Ever be Placed on Their Stomachs While Sleeping?
Placing babies on the stomach can increase the risk of SIDS and may invite spinal cord-related problems. Hence, putting them on their back while sleeping until they are 12 months old would be great.
Read Also: Why is Sleeping on the Back Considered Best For Babies by Dr. Srikanta J T
