Baby Side Sleeping Risks
Although side sleeping might appear less dangerous than stomach sleeping, it comes with its own set of risks.
There are 3 things that can happen when your baby sleeps on their side, and while most wont harm them, others may be harmful.
Your baby may choke if he or she is side asleep because it can cause torsion, or twisting, of the trachea which makes breathing difficult.
A plagiocephaly is an unequal or asymmetrical head shape a flat head. A Babys flat head is also known as a flattened spot on the back or side. The skull bones of newborns are thin, soft, and flexible.
Thus, newborn babies have easily changing heads. Plagiocephaly occurs when the heads of infants stay in the same position for too long. The doctor might recommend helmet therapy if your babys plagiocephaly is severe.
This condition occurs when theres a problem with a major muscle in the neck, the Sternocleidomastoid . This muscle turns and tilts the head. In torticollis, One side of the SCM is short and strong, while another is long and weak. The Babys head may tilt to one side only if this occurs.
Now let us take a look at some tips for the safe sleeping of your baby.
Helping Your Newborn Sleep
Newborns follow their own schedule. Over the next couple of weeks to months, you and your baby will begin to settle into a routine.
It may take a few weeks for your baby’s brain to know the difference between night and day. Unfortunately, there are no tricks to speed this up, but it helps to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Try to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby. This will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. If possible, let your baby fall asleep in the crib at night so your little one learns that it’s the place for sleep.
Don’t try to keep your baby up during the day in the hopes that your little one will sleep better at night. Overly tired infants often have more trouble sleeping at night than those who’ve had enough sleep during the day.
If your newborn is fussy it’s OK to rock, cuddle, and sing as your baby settles down. Swaddling can also help to soothe a crying baby. If you swaddle your baby and they start trying to roll over, that is a sign that you can stop swaddling. For the first months of your baby’s life, “spoiling” is definitely not a problem. In fact, newborns who are held or carried during the day tend to have less colic and fussiness.
When Can Your Baby Sleep Safely On Their Side
When your baby is older than 4 to 6 months and can roll over independently after being placed on their back, side sleeping is usually safe. However, its still best to lie your baby on their back for naps and bedtime.
Putting your baby to bed on their stomach isnt a good idea during the first year of life. And putting them in a side-sleeping position is easy to get to the stomach. Tummy time is always the best option when your baby is awake and ready to play with you.
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Why Does My Newborn Roll On His Side When Sleeping
There are a few reasons why your newborn may roll on his side when sleeping. One reason may be that he is trying to find a comfortable position. Another reason may be that he is trying to avoid lying on his back, which can put him at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome . Some babies also prefer to sleep on their side because it helps them feel more secure. If your newborn is rolling on his side during sleep, make sure to monitor him closely and make sure that he is not at risk for SIDS.
This condition affects children as young as one week old and usually occurs in babies aged one to six months. A babys balance can be lost, he falls, and he even dies as a result of torticollis. If you notice that your baby has torticollis, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your babys doctor may advise that he or she be placed in a head-down position in order to prevent the condition from worsening. The doctor may also prescribe medication to help you alleviate the symptoms of torticollis.
Use Firm Sleeping Surface
Firmer mattresses are better for babies because theyll keep them in one position. Softer and plushier mattresses can cause a baby to sink in, making the turning easier, leaving your child exposed to SIDS and other risks of sleeping on the side.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can also try using a sleep monitor to keep an eye on what your baby is doing in the crib or basinet if you sleep in another room or are busy working on something.
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Safe Sleep Practices For Infants
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Practice the ABCs of safe sleep: Babies should always sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib. Place your baby on his or her back for every sleep, night time and nap time.
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Do not put your baby to sleep on his side or tummy.
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Once your baby can roll from his back to tummy and tummy to back, your baby can stay in the sleep position that he assumes. But always place your baby to sleep on his back.
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Place your baby on a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib with slats no greater than 2-3/8 inches apart.
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Make sure your babys face and head stay uncovered and clear of blankets and other coverings during sleep. If a blanket is used make sure your baby is placed feet-to-foot in the crib. Remove all pillows from the crib.
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Create a smoke-free-zone around your baby.
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Avoid overheating during sleep and maintain your babys bedroom at a temperature comfortable for an average adult.
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Remove all mobiles and hanging crib toys by about the age of 5 months, when your baby begins to pull up in the crib.
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Remove crib bumpers by about 12 months, when your baby can begin to climb
For additional safe sleep practices for infants including information and video on choking, making a safe home environment, resources, swaddling and tummy time, click here.
Sids And Flat Head Syndrome
When a babys head is turned to one side while sleeping, he or she is more likely to catch a cold. You should always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, not on either side of him or her. If your baby has flat head syndrome, it is possible to induce them to sleep on their side by rotating their head every few hours during the day.
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Pediatricians Started Dealing With Sids Quite Early
There were a lot of studies that decipher how the SIDS occurs so suddenly in babies, but the only conclusion they drew out of their studies is that its dangerous to sleep on the side or stomach. The conducted studies also provided guidelines and recommendations for parents they can use to help their baby sleep in a healthy position.
The occurrence behind the SIDS was even less known during the years and decades of the 20th century. So, in the 1970s, many doctors and scientists encouraged parents to promote stomach sleeping for their newborns because back then they thought itd help prevent the choking as they thought it to be the main cause of SIDS. However, shortly after, doctors discovered that the SIDS death rose even more for the parents.
Ever since 1992, the American Academy of Pediatric encouraged and recommended parents to promote back sleep for their babies and children, because it will reduce the risk of SIDS. That proved to be fruitful, as now SIDS death happened to decrease. Back when sleeping on the stomach was still considered safe, the number of SIDS cases which was 130.1 cases per 100,000 live births back in 1990 dropped to 39.4 in 2015 as a result of changed sleeping habits for babies.
When Is It Safe for a Baby to Sleep on Their Side?
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Refrain From Swaddling Your Baby
If you swaddle your infant, the risk that they will roll over onto their side is increased.
This is due to the fact that swaddling creates a cylindrical surface that makes it easier for an infant to roll over on their side.
Also, swaddling may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
I want to mention that at this day the AAP has labeled swaddling an unsafe practice in childcare settings, and in Minnesota swaddling is illegal for child care centers since 2012.
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Best Sleeping Position Of Baby
Babies usually do not sleep in a fixed position and as they grow, they sleep in different positions throughout the night. However, Sleeping in the right position for babies is key to preventing SIDS because babies sleep a lot. Children who die from SIDS are usually suffocated or strangled.
According to experts, infants should sleep on their backs because this is the safest position for them to sleep in. If you place your baby on his back to sleep, you reduce his chances of increasing sudden infant death syndrome . This is the leading cause of infant death in the United States during the first year after birth .
According to research findings, children who sleep on their bellies get less oxygen from the little pocket around their noses.
It is recommended to put the baby on her back throughout the first year of her life. This is especially important during the first six months when the incidence of SIDS is highest.
But Side Sleeping Prevents Choking Right
Most Parents think that if baby lying on side, he/she will be prevented from choking while sleeping. In fact, this is a myth. The National Institutes of Health says that sleeping on back is the only position which has alowerrisk of choking this is because babies are better able to clear their airways while sleeping on their backs, and they have an automatic reflexes that make them swallow the vomit when occurs.
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Help Them Get Comfortable
If all the above safety measures have been met, but your baby is crying every time they roll onto their tummy, they may just need a little time and comfort from you to get used to it. Try patting, shushing, and gently jiggling your babys body to help them get comfortable and even fall asleep on their tummy.
Your baby learning to roll can be overwhelming when it comes to their sleep, but is an important milestone that will lead to so many additional milestones! Just remember to remain consistent and always put them to sleep on their back to start with.
If you find yourself still struggling with your little ones sleep, please know that you are not alone and that I am here to help. or for some additional support.
How To Prevent Side
Thereâs no way to prevent your baby from rolling onto her side or stomach during sleep, but what you can do is ensure that you always put her down to sleep on her back.If she happens to roll onto her side or stomach, gently return her to her back. Keep doing this during the first year until you are confident your baby can roll herself over both ways without any difficulty.
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What Is The Best Way To Decrease The Risk Of Sids
There are several things you can do to minimize the risk of your baby falling victim to SIDS.
The first thing is to place them on their backs to sleep every time you put them down for a nap for the night.
The second thing you can do is to have a designated sleeping area for your baby that isnt a plush surface.
You should also make sure there is no loose bedding, toys, or soft objects in the designated sleeping area.
These steps can take a lot of the worry out of putting your baby to sleep safely and effectively.
Let Him Fall Into Deep Sleep Before Putting Him Down
When your baby falls asleep during a feed, dont hurry to transfer him to his cot.
That early sleep is light REM sleep and is easily disturbed. Enjoy a cuddle with your baby for around 20 minutes, until he transitions into the deeper, quiet sleep cycle.
Now you can lay him down on his back with less risk of him waking.
If you swaddle your baby to sleep, prepare beforehand by laying out his wrap on his bed, so you can gently wrap him while he sleeps, then leave him in position.
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Never Use Sleep Positioners Or Wedges:
Sleep positioners are not safe for babies. In fact, some are designed to ensure that the baby sleeps on the side while some encourage the baby to sleep on the back. Avoid both such positioners. Sleep positioners have been proven to pose a suffocation hazard .
Use A Firm Crib Mattress
As cozy as a soft mattress might seem to you, its not the safest option for your little one. Always use a firm crib mattress that fits snugly in the crib. But firm doesnt have to mean uncomfortable!
Our Newton Baby Crib Mattress provides just the right firmness for babies while also offering comfort for toddlers. And theres no need to flip the mattress as your baby grows.
This mattress is also 100% breathable. Our innovative Breathe-Thru Technology allows your baby to breathe right through the mattress, reducing the risk of suffocation if they roll over to sleep on their side or stomach. Theyll rest easy, and you can, too.
Plus, our mattress is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning its independently tested and certified for low chemical emissions, exceeding the highest industry emissions safety standards to help improve indoor air quality.
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Myth : Some Babies Sleep Worse When Swaddled Because They Want To Be Free
Not really. Your baby may fuss and resist swaddling at first, so it may look like she hates it. But babies donât need freedom, they need the feeling of security they had in the womb. Without wrapping, your infant will flail her arms, whack herself in the face and startle easily throughout the night. Thatâs a recipe for poor sleep.
Swaddling is the first step to calming, and itâs important you donât stop there, especially if your infantâs been fighting it. To help her settle, youâll want to layer in other womb-mimicking steps: âshushing,â side/stomach position, swinging and sucking, which, along with swaddling, make up the 5 Sâs of setting up a baby for sleep success. And once the Sâs become part of your sleep routine, sheâll give up her battle!
What Is The Safest Sleeping Position For My Newborn And Why
According to the NICHD
the best position for baby to sleep is on their backs.
This position can decrease the chances of your child not being able to breathe properly, as well as lower the risk of fevers, stuffy noses, and respiratory issues.
Placing your newborn on their back to sleep is essential in the first year of your newborns life because this is the time frame that the risk of death by SIDS is at its highest point.
but the sooner you start putting them in this position, the quicker they will get used to it.
Your newborn and your children are the most important things in your life.
You want to protect them from anything and everything that might hurt them.
If you follow the advice and steps that are listed in this article, you can increase the chances of your newborn having a happy, healthy, fulfilling life.
Additional information:
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Sudi Including Sids And Fatal Sleeping Accidents: Risk Factors
When a baby dies unexpectedly and for no obvious reason, its often described as sudden unexpected death in infancy . SUDI is a broad term that includes SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents.
Deaths from SUDI including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents have decreased a lot in Australia. This is because we understand more about safe sleeping practices for our babies, and weve been following these practices. These safe sleeping practices can reduce the risk of SUDI including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents.
Use Pillows And Blankets
Elevating your babys head and neck could be a good way to ensure the sleeping feels more innovative to them, as well as healthier. However, if you put the extra cushions, pillows, and blankets directly under their head, that could be counterproductive. Instead, you can try to put it under the babys mattress to promote a healthy sleeping position.
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When Can Babies Sleep On Their Sides
After the age of 1, you can let your baby sleep on her side.However, it’s important to always place your baby in his crib on his back onto a firm crib mattress thatâs covered with a fitted sheet.In the first year, the crib shouldnât contain any loose bedding, bumper pads, blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. It should be completely empty.
I Saw A Product That Said It Could Prevent Sids And Keep My Baby In The Right Position During Sleep Can I Use It To Prevent Sids
There is currently no product that can prevent SIDS because there is no known way to prevent SIDS.
Many wedges, positioners, or other products that claim to keep babies in one position or to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, or reflux do not meet federal guidelines for sleep safety. These products, such as inclined sleepers, are linked to injury and death, especially when used in baby’s sleep area. You can help prevent injuries and deaths by not using these products and devices.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CPSC, AAP, and other organizations warn against using these products, because they are dangerous for babies.
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