Why does it matter whether a baby sleeps on their stomach or back?
Recent research has shown that there is a connection between the sleeping positions of babies and cot death.
The risk of cot death is greatly reduced if the baby sleeps on their back.
The first research into this subject was done in New Zealand, and since then similar studies have been carried out in other countries with the same results.
Can your baby sleep on its side?
To let your baby sleep on its side is safer than letting it sleep on its stomach. But the most recent studies show that the position is not as safe for your baby as sleeping on its back.
Babies sleeping on their side often end up on their tummy, which increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) significantly.
What if the baby is sick while sleeping on its back?
Doctors used to believe that if the baby slept on its back, it would be dangerous if it vomited.
It was thought that the baby might choke, because it did not have enough strength to turn its head.
However, babies sleeping on their backs have no difficulty turning their heads if they're sick.
The danger of vomiting was the most important argument for the baby to sleep on its stomach, but it's much more dangerous to let the baby sleep in this position.
Why is it safer for your baby to sleep on its back?
Nobody quite knows why it's safer for your baby to sleep on its back rather than its tummy. There are several theories.
One theory is that a baby sleeping on its stomach may be lying with its face so close to the sheets that it keeps breathing the same air and does not get enough oxygen.
Another possibility is that the baby can suffocate, when sleeping on his or her stomach on a mattress that's too soft and yielding. There have been recorded cases of this happening to babies in water beds. So, babies should never sleep on a water bed.
A third theory is that it's dangerous for a baby to lie with its face against the mattress, which may contain microbes that can interfere with the baby's breathing.
Nobody has yet solved the mystery of cot death. Today, we only know that the cases of cot death have gone down enormously, since doctors recommended that babies sleep on their backs.
What to do when your baby starts turning over by itself
When the baby has grown old enough to begin turning over by itself in the bed, just tuck it in on its back. But don't worry if they turn over later. There's no need to turn your baby back over during the night.
Should all babies sleep on their backs?
If your baby is healthy, it should sleep on its back.
Very rarely if a baby has a medical problem, their paediatrician may recommended that the baby sleeps on its stomach. If the baby suffers from any of these diseases, the doctor will advise parents which position the baby should sleep in.
How to make your baby's bed safe
It's recommended that the baby sleeps on a firm mattress, rather than one that is too soft.
The bed has to be stable and the bottom of the bed should be made of one solid piece of material rather than slats. The bars on the side of the bed should be no more than 6.5cm apart, so the baby can't get its head stuck. The sides and ends of the bed should be at least 60cm high, so the baby can't crawl or climb out.
Parents should not put mobiles, toys or other objects in the bed that the baby could get caught in. Don't fill the bed with lots of soft toys, either. Don't cover the mattress with any plastic covering because this can cause suffocation. babies do not need a pillow and they increase the risk of suffocation. Toddlers may use a thin pillow. Tuck in the covers, so that they come only halfway up the cot and cannot work up and over the baby's head.
Do not let the baby have an adult pillow. This will create a danger of suffocation and is not good for the baby's back.
The room where the baby sleeps should not be too hot. A temperature of 16 to 20oC is sufficient. During the summer, make sure that the baby is not over-dressed, and be extra careful if the baby has a fever.
What else can you do to make your baby sleep as safely as possible?
It's been proven that the risk of cot death is increased if the parents smoke.
Smoking is one of the main factors associated with cot death. Scientists believe that the number of cases of cot death can be reduced by 66 per cent, if parents stop smoking.
Sleeping on their backs can cause babies' skulls to temporarily grow out of shape (plagiocephaly).
Parents can avoid this by laying their baby's head on the opposite side every time they put the baby to sleep. The shape will gradually become normal with time and almost never requires treatment.
When the baby is awake and the parents are talking to them, or playing with them, the baby should be put on its stomach to counteract any distortion of the skull. Lie them across your knees on their tummy, if they don't like being on the mat. This is also a good way of training the muscles of the baby's stomach, back and neck.
For more information on babies' sleeping patterns, watch this video:
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