Baby sleeps on his stomach, is it serious?

Baby sleeps on his stomach and you are worried because you know the risks associated with this practice? Here are the things to know if your baby is tummy time.

In order for your baby to sleep safely, it all starts with choosing a mattress that is suitable for infants. This should preferably be made of natural materials (wool, cotton, coconut fiber, natural latex). These materials being quite expensive, it is also possible to opt for synthetic latex, polyurethane foam, or memory foam). The density of the mattress for a baby should be around 20kg / m3 (quite firm), and its thickness should be between 8 and 12 cm. In terms of dimensions, they must be exactly those of his bed with bars (especially not smaller). If your child occasionally sleeps in a travel cot, especially do not add any mattress inside, this is totally dangerous for your baby.

You should not put a blanket, sheets or pillows in your baby’s bed. Also avoid very large amounts of soft toys, and all bulky stuffed animals. A sleeping bag in its size, and a single little blanket can come in reinforcement to warm and cuddle baby, but nothing more. The ideal is to put your baby to bed with good pajamas (or overpyjamas), adapted to the ambient temperature of his room (which should ideally be around 18 to 20 ° C).

When putting your baby to sleep, always lay him down on his back. The prone position is to be avoided because it represents significant dangers for babies just after birth. A position on the side is also a danger for infants who could involuntarily turn over during the night, and suffocate with their face against the mattress.

What are the risks if a baby is sleeping on his stomach?

The main danger of laying your little one on his stomach is that of suffocation. During the first weeks of life, an infant does not have control over his head. He does not yet have enough strength in the muscles of his neck, shoulders, back and arms. Therefore, if a baby is lying in front of the mattress, and his airways become blocked, he will not be able to lift and turn his head to clear his face and catch his breath.

In addition, there is a risk of hyperthermia for babies who sleep on their stomach if they have a fever, or if it is hot. This is because babies have more difficulty regulating their body temperature. The high heat can be the cause of some of the sudden deaths.

Experts from the Haute Autorité de Santé have also found that the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (or SIDS) has fallen by 75% in France since pediatricians and other health professionals advise all young parents to put their children to bed. children on their backs as soon as they leave the maternity ward, thanks to the hazard prevention program.

Why does baby prefer to sleep on his stomach?

Infants often experience some comfort when they are on their stomach. This is particularly the case at the intestinal level. Children with colic are relieved by the prone position, due to the pressure on their abdomen and the heat in which it is enveloped.

On the other hand, after 9 months of pregnancy, your son or daughter needs a lot of comfort to cope with the separation. Sleeping on his stomach certainly makes your baby feel more supported than when he is on his back. Her limbs rest comfortably against the mattress, and her bust is fully supported. It reminds her of the long months of pregnancy listening to your heartbeat. In summary, if your baby is having trouble falling asleep on his back, it may just be because he still needs to feel you against him.

Why is it important for baby to spend time on the tummy?

  • The risks if baby is too often on the back

There are indeed some constraints to leaving a baby too long on the back. Among them are the risks of scoliosis, and plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). On this last risk, experts from the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS)target = “_ blank”> reassure parents by indicating that currently available scientific data shows that plagiocephaly is not associated with neurodevelopmental delay. She also specifies that the deformities of the skull disappear around the age of two years thanks to the acquisition of global mobility.

Against scoliosis, everything lies in the fact of varying your positions during your waking moments. To alleviate the inconvenience of a baby’s prolonged supine position while sleeping, it is important to allow him to spend time lying on his stomach.

  • Leave it in prone position under surveillance

It is indeed possible to let your child spend a few moments lying on his stomach, and it is even very important to do so. You can, for example, place it face down on its awakening mat during the day, and under your supervision. In this way, he will work the muscles of his neck, back and arms, and develop mobility in his head. He will also develop other senses by perceiving the world around him in a new way.

To relieve his colic, and help him fall asleep, you can also choose to place your baby on his stomach, against your chest (skin-to-skin if possible), or in your arms. the heat of your body will participate in relieving his pain. He will also be comforted, snuggled up against his mom or dad to fall asleep.

Solutions for baby to sleep on his back

If your baby has fallen asleep on his stomach (on his play mat or against you), gently lay him on his back on his mattress when he is deeply asleep (when his body seems calm and “soft”. ).

You can also use a swaddling blanket (a blanket specially designed to wrap infants). This fully supports baby, and helps him to find sleep by reminding him of his intrauterine life. It represents a good solution to comfort your cherub during his first nights.

If you want to prevent the risks of flat head syndrome, you can use a mobile to hang on the walls of your child’s bed. You will only have to move it every night so that your baby does not always sleep with his head turned to the same side.

In all cases, always lay your baby on his back, so that he gets used to sleeping safely. If, however, your baby cries loudly and refuses to sleep, it is not necessarily his sleeping arrangements that are causing him problems. He may need your attention and your presence, or he just needs to scream a little before he calms down. Accompany him gently so that he finds sleep, without giving in to the temptation to put him on his stomach.

At what age can a baby sleep on his stomach?

There comes an age when it becomes difficult to control the way your baby sleeps every night. Usually, around 4 to 6 months of age, your toddler learns to turn on his own, and does so before falling asleep. This means that your child has enough tone to control their back and neck, and that they have mastered the prone position. He will have the reflex to raise his head if he encounters difficulty in breathing.

So now is the time to let him choose his sleeping position. It is therefore safe to let your baby sleep on his back from that point on. But keep lying on his back, sleeping on his stomach should come from your child, to ensure that he will be able to roll over and lift his head if he needs to. And continue to leave in his bed only the strict minimum so that he does not run any danger, and that he has no difficulty in moving at will.

Are baby rests and head rests necessary when baby sleeps on his back?

In general, these items should also be avoided in your child’s bed. The baby wedge could destabilize your child, causing him or her to involuntarily end up on his stomach, without being able to turn around. The head restraint on its side is not really useful, since, as indicated above, the flat head syndrome will be corrected by the general motor skills of your child by his 2 years.

On the other hand, if your baby is regurgitating, you can occasionally add an incline on the mattress. With the head raised your child will be able to digest more easily.

In any case, if you are having difficulty getting your child to sleep, ask your pediatrician for advice. By examining your child, and asking you the right questions, he will undoubtedly be able to give you the best recommendations for your little one’s nights.

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