Is it possible for a newborn to sleep on his stomach: what is dangerous for the child, how to teach the correct position in sleep

Infants spend the lion's share of the day sleeping. In this state, organs and systems intensively develop, and the final formation of bone tissue occurs. It is especially important that night and day rest should be as comfortable as possible for the baby.

The baby is able to take different positions in his sleep. Sometimes the baby sleeps soundly on his stomach. However, most adults are sure that such a position during sleep is life-threatening, and it is harmful to the health of the little one.

In the womb of the mother it was convenient for the baby to fall asleep and toss and turn. The most correct positions for newborns to rest are sideways or lying on their stomach. However, some mothers and fathers constantly worry, not allowing the baby to fall asleep with its back up. The fact is that, based on some information, there is a relationship between this situation and sudden neonatal death syndrome.

The importance of baby sleep position

Healthy, complete sleep for a baby is the first thing you should strive for in the initial months of a child’s life. After all, in a dream it grows, receiving all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. Sleep now takes up most of the child’s time – 16–20 hours.

At the same time, the state of rest should be characterized not only by appropriate external factors, be it air temperature, humidity, light and noise indicators, or the comfort of the position in which the baby sleeps. This minor characteristic plays an important role. At the same time as being comfortable, the pose must be safe. The first weeks of children's lives are laid down by parents; it is the latter that determines in what position the rest will take place.

But after birth, babies will automatically take their “usual” position - that is, the one they occupied in the mother’s womb. If you place the baby on a flat surface, he will instantly curl up and place himself on his tummy, repeating his intrauterine position. But such behavior outside the mother's womb can be dangerous.

The dangers of sudden infant death syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome is a phenomenon that has been described many times in the medical literature and, unfortunately, is quite common. An absolutely healthy child dies in his sleep, and no reasons leading to this tragic event can be identified.

The reason why seemingly healthy babies suddenly die in their sleep is still unknown. Stopping breathing is the only clear explanation. But no one knows why this happens.

According to statistics, male infants under the age of three months most often die, often premature babies or babies born as a result of multiple pregnancies. Other unfavorable factors include parental smoking, sleeping in a soft bed, and an overheated room.

Is it possible to sleep on your stomach?

The sensational statement of American scientists about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), associated with sleeping on the stomach, has caused quite a stir among parents. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is still common today: babies are found dead in their cribs. The exact causes of death have not been established, except that they stop breathing during sleep.

REFERENCE! According to statistics, 5 out of 10,000 newborns die from this syndrome every year in Russia.

The risk group includes premature babies, boys under 3 months, as well as children born during multiple pregnancies. The situation is aggravated by the bad habits of parents, a soft bed, and a hot room.

But while the connection between SIDS and sleeping on the stomach has not been proven for certain, there is another explanation for the danger of such a position. The baby begins to control the neck muscles after 1–2 months, but if before this time he buries his nose in the sheet, there is a high risk that the baby will suffocate.

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The child turns over on his own in his sleep - what to do?

Living organisms preserved their lives for as long as possible. But people sometimes forget and create artificial problems where there are none at all. A newborn will not be able to roll over on his stomach on his own - a short stay in this position during wakefulness is enough. A baby who is 3-4 months old already holds his head confidently and begins to master turning onto his stomach. Don't bother him:

at this age the baby is able to independently raise his head;
the ability to sense a lack of oxygen appears, the baby cries, groans and raises its head on its own when there is no breathing;
The child can independently change his sleeping position, allowing body parts and muscles to rest.

You shouldn’t worry too much about your child – just watch him for two or three days to understand that the baby is able to help himself on his own. Once you are convinced of this fact (an important point), you should give it a little more freedom, occasionally monitoring the condition.

Knowledge base for advanced mothers:

How to choose a crib for a newborn
Which mattress to choose for a newborn's crib
Does a newborn need a pillow in his crib?

Advantages and disadvantages

Having heard a negative answer from pediatricians to the question whether a one-month-old baby can sleep on his stomach, parents choose sleeping on his back as an alternative. Is this always an informed decision? The fact is that some babies even eat while sleeping. As food arrives, the baby takes in air, which will be burped after a while. It is important to wait for this moment, holding the child in an upright position and patting the back.

If immediately after feeding you put the baby on his back in the crib, vomit will fill the airways and the baby will choke

But sleeping on your tummy has its pros and cons. The benefits are as follows:

feeling of security and peace;
deep restful sleep;
in this position, bones and joints are formed correctly;
There is better head support in children sleeping in this position;
reduction of discomfort from colic and gas;
the head is not raised against the background of hypertonicity;
there is no pressure on the skull.

The main danger remains SIDS, while the baby still does not know how to turn his head to the side and at any moment can bury his nose in a sheet or mattress. And the softer the sleeping material, the faster death will occur.

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Benefits of falling asleep on your tummy

Are there benefits to sleeping in a prone position? Or does it carry only harm? Looking at how the little one sleeps, especially if he lies with his back up, the mother often gets the feeling that he is experiencing discomfort.

In a dream, the baby can tuck in its upper and lower limbs, as if standing on all fours. This position resembles that in the womb. The newborn subconsciously looks for the most optimal option, and resting in this position helps reduce the load on the still developing ridge.

The first weeks after the baby is born are characterized by difficulties with the digestive system, which manifest themselves in the form of colic, gas and constipation. There are often recommendations that it is necessary to place the baby on his stomach.

This measure will promote improved digestion and reduce pain from colic with gas. But there is no scientific evidence on this matter.

Often babies do not like to lie on their stomach. This body position is not the most comfortable for them. This is fine. In this situation, it is not worth putting the toddler on his tummy.

The positive aspects of a baby falling asleep on his tummy include the following:

This position can provide a newborn with deep sleep. Your vacation will be calm and measured.
The baby feels protected because his nose is located near the bedding, which stores familiar odors. The baby perceives the world around him based on tactile sensations. That is why, while staying in comfortable conditions, the baby sleeps better.
Based on statistical information, you can see that children who like to fall asleep in this position hold their head much more confidently.
When the baby rests in this position, bone tissue and joints are formed correctly.
Most adults do not realize that at the moment when their baby somersaults to turn over on his tummy in his sleep, he is performing self-massage, which has a beneficial effect on the motility of the digestive system of the gastrointestinal tract.
In a position with the butt raised up, the baby is able to freely jerk his legs and arms, but it will be quite difficult for him to wake himself up in this position.
Considering that before the age of 3 months, babies spit up many times, you should arrange for the baby to rest in a position on his stomach or on his side. With this measure, the baby sleeps more soundly, screams and cries less.

When relatives see that the baby is sleeping well on his stomach, his breathing is even and calm, then there is no reason for worry or anxiety - the baby is comfortable.

When can a baby sleep on his stomach?

The following logical question has arisen: at what age can a child be taught to sleep in this position? Pediatricians categorically prohibit babies from 1 month to 3 months from sleeping on their stomach. Several reasons play a role here:

narrow nasal passages, in which crusts and mucus can make it difficult for a two-month-old baby to get oxygen;
the danger is a runny nose, as well as increased air temperature in the room where the baby sleeps;
the presence of short-term pauses in breathing (up to 15 seconds), and deepening into the pillow can complete this process with suffocation.

The safe mark for such sleep is 5–6 months: at this age, children control their own bodies, hold their heads, more or less control muscle activity, so a 5-month-old baby has nothing to fear.

How to make it safe for your baby to sleep on his stomach

Never place your baby on pillows or soft feather beds. By burying his face in the pillow, the baby can easily suffocate. Do not put blouses with ties on your child; these ties may become wrapped around his neck.

When buying a crib for a baby, pay attention to the distances between the slats. They should not exceed 8-10 centimeters. If the gaps between the slats are larger, the baby may get his head stuck in them. Do not cover your baby with a thick blanket; it is better not to use cotton quilts at all. If a child accidentally ends up covered with such a blanket over his head, he may be left without air.

Contraindications

Mothers are interested in why the “butt up” position during sleep is not suitable for all children, even if the child has already crossed the specified age limits. Health features that are purely individual for each person come into play.

Contraindications are:

neurological abnormalities;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract);
respiratory system disorders;
bladder problems;
impaired blood circulation and diseases of the cardiovascular system;
infantile muscle hypertonicity;
soft or crooked mattress;
dust and dry air in the nursery.

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What will Komarovsky say?

The most famous pediatrician asks parents not to interfere with their child's sleep in a position that is comfortable for him. Regarding sleeping on the stomach, the doctor speaks unequivocally. This pose is useful for children, as it strengthens the muscles of the back and neck. A baby sleeping on his stomach begins to raise his head and roll over much earlier than his peers.

Thematic video of a famous pediatrician

Moreover, Komarovsky recommends teaching a baby to sleep this way. After all, lying on the baby’s stomach is more likely to release the gases accumulated in the intestines, which means the likelihood of colic, which is typical for babies in the first months of life, decreases.

To make baby's sleep safe, parents should take care of high-quality bedding and cool air in the bedroom.

For the first weeks, it is better to place the baby on its side. A one-month-old baby should be taught to lie on his stomach for at least a short time to prevent colic.

What positions do pediatricians recommend?

From an early age, a child loves to sleep in a certain way and always takes the position he wants and how comfortable it is for him. But parents should always monitor safety when a month-old baby requires constant attention. Each pose has its pros and cons. So, sleeping on your back is good because the nasal passages are open and nothing interferes with the flow of air. But prolonged pressure on the head can result in deformation of the still soft skull.

You can avoid this, as well as choking in case of regurgitation, by turning the head to the side. Doctors recommend the position on the side, when the baby tucks its legs toward its stomach. But there are also “pitfalls” here: breathing through the nose becomes difficult, the cervical spine and hip joints are subject to deformation.

IMPORTANT! Such consequences are possible only if the child is constantly in one position. Therefore, parents need to periodically change the position of the newborn.

For modern parents, a special device has been developed - a positioner. These are soft cushions that fix the position of sleeping infants.

You can build such a structure yourself using available materials (tight diapers and towels will do)

Positioner benefits:

prevents the baby from turning from side to side;
helps the mother during changing, blocking the baby’s movements and preventing him from falling off the changing table;
allows initiation of the mother's womb;
compactness, convenience, mobility;
diversity of species;
versatility, which allows the product to be adapted to babies from 0 to 6 months.

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If the child does not want to lie on his stomach

Here are some ways to help your baby feel comfortable on his tummy.

Keep your baby company

A mom-tested method is to distract your baby from the unfamiliar sensation of being face down. The baby needs to get used to this.

Join your baby as he or she lies on their tummy. Place him on the floor on a blanket and sit next to him. Or place your baby on the bed near the edge and sit on the floor next to him. The baby will appreciate the softness of the surface, and you can easily interact with the child in this position.

Encourage the baby, talk to him, shake the rattle, make funny faces, play peek-a-boo. It is possible that your baby will enjoy watching you stretch or tap on the floor.

Once your baby has better head control—around 4 months—try playing airplane: lie on the floor with your legs bent. Place your baby's tummy on your legs, head on your knees. Then bend your legs, holding it tightly. The baby will love the new type of game.

Advice.

Make sure your baby's nanny or grandmother knows the importance of tummy time when your baby is awake and the need to place your baby on his back when sleeping.

Provide entertainment

Place a favorite book or toy in front of your child. Purchase toys or tummy time kits that are specifically designed for this position. Some come with lamps, mirrors, moving pictures, music, and sound toys.

How to teach a baby to sleep on his stomach

Sleeping on the stomach is recommended for children who already hold their head and control the muscular system. Only in this case will it be a completely safe situation. To teach your baby to sleep on his stomach, regular gymnastics will come in handy, which involves placing the baby on his stomach every day during the day.

Here are some tips on how best to do this:

place the child on a flat, hard surface;
laying out before feeding;
It is better to take off clothes so that nothing hinders the baby’s movements;
it is important to monitor the air temperature so that the child does not freeze;
Exercises should be carried out when the child is in a cheerful mood; if the child is already sleepy, it is better to postpone the gymnastics, because its task is to strengthen the muscles;
If the child starts crying, you should wait a while with classes.

Posting is allowed from the first days of life. Place the babies on their tummy for 15–20 seconds, gradually increasing the time. In the process, the child himself will make it clear when and in what position he is comfortable being.

To make it easier to get used to this position, they use rituals in the form of stroking and massaging the back, arms, and legs.

The main conditions for sleeping on the stomach are the absence of a pillow and a soft mattress. You should not put your child to sleep in a room with dry and warm air.

What position is considered optimal for a sleeping baby?

Babies need to be taught to lie on their side. This position is the safest for a newborn and one-month-old baby to sleep. This position of the baby can be fixed using a diaper roller.

It is not recommended to place a newborn on a pillow or an overly soft mattress, not only because of the risk of suffocation, but also to avoid disturbances in the musculoskeletal system that is not yet fully formed.

A newborn's daytime sleep on the tummy should occur under the strict supervision of the mother. But at night it is still better to choose safer positions.

The position of a newborn on his side is one of the safest for sleeping.

And for me, as a practitioner, sleeping on my stomach is good, but sleeping on my back is harmful.
E. O. Komarovsky
https://www.komarovskiy.net/faq/son-na-zhivote-i-sindrom-vnezapnoj-detskoj-smerti-svds.html

How to teach a newborn to sleep properly - video

How to protect your baby's sleep

Most children feel indignant when they roll over; they have a harder time waking up and still strive to roll over back onto their stomach. This is simply the way of sleep in which the baby feels as comfortable as possible. In order for the baby to be comfortable, and most importantly, to rest safely, you need to take care of some points:

Select hard orthopedic mattresses made from hypoallergenic materials.
Linen should be clean and fresh, changed 3-4 times a week.
An infant does not need a pillow (up to a year old he can easily sleep on a flat surface). Many doctors believe that you can do without this accessory for up to 3 years.
You can put your baby to bed 10 minutes after eating.
Constantly monitor the cleanliness of the respiratory tract, clearing the nose of dried crusts. Physiologically, babies under 2 months of age do not breathe through their mouths, so any obstruction to the flow of air through the nose can result in disaster.
Do not wrap or overheat. The optimal air temperature is 18–21 °C, humidity is 50–70%.
You need to monitor the position of the baby's head, periodically turning it to the side.
Do not put your child to sleep on his stomach if there is smoking in the apartment.
There should be no third-party objects in the crib: toys, diapers, etc. These are unnecessary dangers that the baby can bury his nose in.

Safe sleep for babies

To safely rest the baby in the tummy position, adults are advised to follow several rules. These include the following:

It is better for the baby to sleep on a hard mattress. You don't need a pillow until you're a year old. Even if the baby rests face down, there is practically no chance of suffocation on a hard surface.
After finishing feeding, it is not advisable to immediately put the baby down to rest; it is better to carry him in his arms for a while in a “column” position. This will ensure the normal release of air that he swallowed when he ate. This measure eliminates the regurgitation of a newborn during sleep.
Hygiene of the nasal cavity to ensure free breathing through the nose. It is especially necessary when the baby is sick. The mother is supposed to clean the baby’s nasal passages with cotton wool, removing mucus and crusts.
Maintaining a comfortable microclimate in the nursery. Ensuring suitable temperature conditions, humidity and air purity. Additional conditions that ensure the comfort of falling asleep are: the absence of loud sounds, dim lighting and comfortable, not very warm clothes made from natural materials that are pleasant to the touch.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Evgeny Komarovsky believes that the decision on how the baby will sleep depends on the parents. It’s good if they are interested in specialized literature and approach this issue from a professional point of view. But you should always listen to your baby, because everyone’s needs are individual, and if some like to sleep on their back, then other children can only sleep well in the reverse position.

Dr. Komarovsky is sure that you cannot ignore the situation in the bedroom: you need to create the right conditions for sleep. If the apartment is stuffy, dusty, and people smoke, it’s better to forget about sleeping on your stomach. Until one year of age, it is better to place the baby on his side, alternately turning the child from one side to the other. Special positioners or rolled diapers will help.

Knowing how to sleep, parents have the main task - to provide optimal conditions for their child to sleep. And as the baby develops, he will choose the most comfortable position for himself. If you follow all the tips and recommendations, there will be nothing to worry about, and safe sleep will allow both the baby and the parents to rest.

Baby's sleep - safety rules

In the first months of life, parents will have to decide for themselves how to put the baby to sleep. The forewarned is forearmed. Remember that when sleeping on your side, compression of the hip joint occurs and dysplasia may occur. If you sleep on your back, then deformation of the skull bones and ingestion of vomit are possible. Sleeping on your stomach can cause you to stop breathing. Such cases happen very rarely, the probability is negligible, just be vigilant and follow the recommendations:

Organize your sleeping area correctly. A hard mattress () and the absence of a pillow (yes, children under one year old do not need a pillow. We read at what age can a child sleep on a pillow -) will allow your child to breathe freely through the nose. Approach your baby while he sleeps and turn his head from one side to the other.
If fears and anxiety still haunt you, put your baby to sleep on his side, and place a soft cushion under his tummy and back. The baby's position will be fixed, breathing will be free. Be sure to place your baby on his tummy during the day. Very soon you will notice how quickly the muscles of your shoulders, neck, back, and abs have strengthened (see). The baby will begin to hold his head up, roll over, and crawl earlier than his peers.
After feeding, carry the baby in your arms in a column, let the air that entered the esophagus with food come out and the baby will not burp during sleep.
Carefully, especially if the baby is sick, inspect the nasal passages. Try to maintain an optimal microclimate in the room (clean, humidified air).
While sleeping on his back or stomach, the child involuntarily turns his head towards the room or people. Periodically place him in the crib with his head facing the opposite direction. This way you will avoid deformation of the skull bones.
Very soon your baby will grow up and choose his favorite poses. Then, no matter how much you turn it over, it will fit as comfortably as possible. So leave him the right to choose!

Afterword:
For up to a month (!), it is better if the baby sleeps on its side, and then start placing it on its tummy. Over time, the baby will choose his favorite positions. Adults will only have to make sure that the sleeping conditions are safe. Have colorful dreams!

Safe sleeping positions

Often parents prefer to place their newborn on his back. This position does not come first in terms of safety. This is due to the regime of most newborn babies, who spend more than 18 hours a day in a state of sleep. Often, newborn babies prefer to combine feeding and sleep, which increases the risk of regurgitation of excess air and reflux of gastric contents into the respiratory tract.

In order to prevent this complication, after each feeding the baby must be kept in an upright position for 3-4 minutes. Only after making sure that the air has completely escaped can you put the baby in the crib. For an infant, the safest position is on the side. In order for the child’s head to be fixed, a pad of diaper or towel is placed under it on one side.

Every time you lay your baby down, you need to alternate between the right and left sides. This event is not only a prevention of torticollis, but also prevents deforming changes in the bones of the skull.

When a newborn baby turns 1 month old, the baby is faced with a pathological condition such as intestinal. The accumulation of gases in the intestinal lumen causes the baby a lot of discomfort and pain. In order to improve the passage of gases, medical experts recommend placing the baby on his tummy. In this case, we are not talking about full sleep on the stomach. The baby is only recommended to stay in this position for a short time.

When should babies not be placed on their tummy?

Once the child begins to turn independently in his sleep, the risk of sudden respiratory arrest is reduced to zero. The most dangerous period for them is up to three months of age.

The explanation for this fact is that the baby is simply not able to adequately respond to the cessation of air flow. The child does not realize that he can turn his head and start breathing again. Even a completely physically healthy baby may experience episodes of respiratory arrest in the first 2–3 months of life in the absence of any apparent reason.

If the baby prefers a sleeping position on his stomach, moving him to his side or back will not lead to anything. In this case, it is better to leave everything as is. After putting him to sleep, parents just need to monitor the baby's sleep, carefully turning the baby's head in different directions.

If the baby doesn’t care what position he sleeps in, parents provide him with ample load on his muscles and spine by placing him on his tummy several times during the day. At night, it is better to give preference to a different resting position.

Basic rules for safe sleep

The helplessness of a newly born baby is beyond doubt. It is the parents who have to provide the newborn not only with proper and nutritious nutrition, but also with other conditions for his growth and development. And properly organized sleep plays a huge role in this.

Basic safety measures if the baby sleeps on his stomach:

up to a year, the bed for the baby does not include a pillow;
At night there should not be any additional objects near the baby: toys, bottles with formula;
the mattress in the crib should be smooth and hard;

if the baby’s nasal breathing is difficult, for example, there is a slight runny nose, placing him on his stomach is unacceptable;
the air in the room where the child is located must be regularly ventilated, and in the winter season it must also be additionally moistened, since heating devices dry out air currents that irritate the baby’s nasal mucosa;
Smoking is prohibited in rooms where children are: passive inhalation of tobacco smoke has an extremely negative effect on the baby’s health.

Compliance with these safety rules for children's sleep helps ensure quality rest for babies - one of the most important conditions for their good health in the future.

Safe sleep rules

In order to provide their child with healthy and safe sleep, young parents need to familiarize themselves with simple and effective recommendations:

It is strictly forbidden to place the baby on soft mattresses, feather beds and pillows. Such experiments can lead to mechanical asphyxia;
Before going to bed, you should not put baby undershirts and hats with ties on them. As the baby moves, the ties often become entwined around his neck;
When choosing a crib, you should pay attention to the intervals between the slats, the length of which should not exceed 10 cm. Increasing the length of the intervals can cause injuries;
While the baby is sleeping, you need to carefully ensure that the blanket does not cover his head. There should be no quilted or cotton blankets in a newborn’s household;
If a child has impaired nasal breathing, then it is important for parents to take care of timely cleansing of the baby’s nasal passages from mucous contents;
The air temperature in the children's room is kept within 18-20 degrees;
If the air in the children's room dries out excessively, then a household appliance can solve this problem.

A newborn baby is guided by intuition when choosing the ideal sleeping position, for example, on his tummy with his head turned to the side.

However, many parents are extremely worried about this position, since there has long been an opinion that such a position can lead to suffocation and, as a result, the death of the baby.

How justified are such worries? Is it possible for a newborn to sleep on his stomach? To answer the questions posed, it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of all sleeping positions.

A sleeping baby is as open and unprotected as possible. Of course, when a little man is only a month old or a couple of months old, he has no intention of hiding from anyone. That's why he sleeps on his back.

If you want to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in a child, take a closer look at this position. A one-month-old baby often suffers from intestinal colic, and sleeping in a similar position facilitates the passage of gas, while at the same time undergoing self-massage of the abdomen. Parents and babies will not have to wake up due to tummy pain and constipation.
All mothers have encountered a situation where the baby wakes up and gets scared due to his own random movements of his arms and legs. Swaddling can save the situation, but not all parents resort to this method. And if the baby sleeps on his stomach, then involuntary waving is excluded.
Sleeping on the baby's stomach is also useful because he pulls his legs under him in his sleep. This position is extremely physiological, as it prevents hip dislocation. During sleep, pressure on the cranial bones is eliminated, which is why the head does not become deformed.
When a baby prefers to sleep on his stomach, his head drops below the pelvis. This means that more blood, and, consequently, oxygen, goes to the brain. The baby develops faster.
Babies at two or three months generally like to spend time on their tummy, including sleeping like this. Such children differ from their peers in that they begin to support their heads and sit up earlier than they do.
Month old baby. If he sleeps on his stomach, then regurgitated food will not be able to get into the larynx, so the risk of suffocation from vomit is reduced.

It would seem that the benefits of such a provision are obvious. Then why do many doctors forbid the baby to sleep on his stomach and put him in this position at night? The ban is due to the fact that, according to some scientists, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) increases.

How else can you put your baby to sleep?

Most pediatricians are of the opinion that the optimal position for proper rest for the baby is on his back. It is as convenient and safe as possible. If the child prefers to turn on his side or lie on his tummy, parents are advised to take his wishes into account.

To prevent the skull bones and hip joints from becoming deformed, it is necessary to periodically turn him in the crib in the opposite direction. The position on the side also has its advantages: the child will definitely not choke on regurgitated masses. You can put it this way: alternating the position on the stomach, and then on the back.

In the first months, many babies prefer the fetal position and take it independently. This is due to hypertonicity in the limbs after birth. In this position, gas formation in the abdomen is reduced due to self-massage, and the baby feels better.

Pediatricians recommend placing babies on their tummy whenever they are awake, from the end of the first month of life. This helps strengthen their muscle tone and helps hold the head correctly. If parents have any doubts or concerns, it is better to consult with their pediatrician again.

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The birth of a child is always a unique event. No matter how many children are born, the questions that young parents have are always the same: how to dress the baby, how to feed them properly. These questions arise for all young parents, which, however, does not in the least detract from their importance and relevance. After all, every child is unique and inimitable.

What is SIDS

Sudden infant death syndrome is a situation where a completely healthy baby dies while sleeping. The cause is respiratory arrest, but doctors cannot say for sure why it occurs. SIDS was first described by American doctors back in 1969. At that time, after giving birth to children, all women were recommended to put them to sleep only on their stomachs. Following these recommendations, a huge number of babies died while sleeping. Then experts began to conduct research, studying each specific case. Today, scientists and doctors around the world cannot name the exact reason why breathing stops in a healthy child. But after studying statistical data, experts came to the conclusion that the sleeping position on the stomach significantly increases the risk of SIDS.

Doctors explain the connection between sleeping on the stomach and sudden infant death syndrome as follows: the baby sleeps with its head turned to the side. But in a dream, a child can lie face down. The baby cannot control the neck muscles, so he is unable to turn his head to the side on his own. A baby lying face down in a pillow cannot breathe, breathing stops and the child dies.

Dr. Komarovsky is categorically against newborn babies sleeping on their stomachs.

The pediatrician explains to parents that it is not worth risking the baby’s life. According to statistics, boys are more likely to die in their sleep than girls. Particular attention should be paid to children born prematurely, as well as twins or triplets. These babies have a lower birth weight than average, which also increases the risk of SIDS.

In European countries, doctors gave lectures to all young mothers while still in the maternity hospital. And since 1992, their list of recommendations includes a ban on sleeping a newborn in the stomach position. From that time to the present day, according to statistics, this has helped reduce infant mortality while sleeping by almost three times.

However, some pediatricians express completely the opposite opinion about SIDS. This is how Americans William and Martha Sears give their theory: in their opinion, a baby dies in its sleep due to the absence of its mother nearby. They argue that the baby should sleep only in the same room with the mother, and it is better to practice co-sleeping in the first year of the child's life.