should a baby sleep on its back or its stomach?

Question

I am about to become a parent should a baby sleep on its back or stomach

Answer 1

On its back, babies to sleep on their stomach have a greater chance of dying of SIDS.

Answer 2

Well it depends. When the baby is first born having him/her sleep on their back is not always good because if they throw up they may drown in it or not be able to breathe. If you put the baby on his/her belly and they don't know how to raise their heads by themselves then they can suffocate themselves. What I would do is get a pillow (they have them at toys r us) where you can have the baby lay on its side. You can also put a pillow by the lower part of their bodies if you cannot find that pillow and have them sleep on their sides. Everytime they fall asleep change the side that you have them sleep on so that they're not just on one side all the time.

Now when the baby is able to hold his/her head up, I would put them on their tummies just because of the throw up issue.

You should also have the nurse show you how to swaddle (wrap) the baby. When they are born they still think that they are in the womb so if you leave them to lay loosely then they may be crabbing and uncomfortable but if you swaddle them in a thin blanket, they'll sleep so soundly. Good luck to you and congrats on that baby!

Answer 3

A baby should sleep the way they are the most comfrotable. There is NO PROOF that tummy sleeping leads to sids, just like there is NO PROOF that sharing a room with an older sibling leads to sids, or that pets in the home leads to sids, or that an older breastfeeding mother can lead to sids or the mother dreaming of a long dead loved one causes sids or the father farting during conception causes sids.

Answer 4

Recent studies say that babies should sleep on their backs. The reason, is that they think SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is caused by a build-up of carbon monoxide in crib sheets when a baby sleeps on its stomach.

Answer 5

First of all, congratulations. To answer your question, definitely on its back. If you lay a newborn baby (or any baby) on its stomach, it is at risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) due to suffocation. The only time that they should EVER be on their stomach is if you are holding them, other than that it is very dangerous. They have special jumpsuit-type outfits for naptime and bedtime that keep the baby securely on its back (http://www.nextag.com/HALO-INNOVATIONS--2700801/brand-html). You should also tell babysitters, grandmas and anyone else who might be putting your child down for nap or bedtime. Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 6

The baby should always sleep on its back. Sleeping on its stomach could cause suffocation. Also, avoid pillows for awhile because they will more likely suffocate on those.

Answer 7

a baby should sleep on its back. this helps to prevent s.i.d.s. sudden infant death syndrome. if you put a baby on its stomach, this greatly reduces the chances of the baby smothering. the baby should also have "tummy time" as well. when the baby is awake let it play on its stomach to reduce flat spots on the babys head from laying in one spot all of the time. putting the baby on its stomach is more recommended when it can raise its head.

Answer 8

On the back - there s a program called "back to sleep" devised for this - it has been found that the risk of choking is significantly lower when the baby sleeps on his back

Answer 9

At first I put my baby to sleep on his back then I talked to other parents that I know. They suggested that I get a baby snuggler and put my baby to sleep on his side. When I started doing it this way I felt alot more at ease about him spitting up and chocking on it. But I would talk to your doctor

Answer 10

On his back. If you have a hard time convincing your baby of this though (LOL) wrap him up tight and lay him on his side. Sometimes though, you can put him to sleep on his stomache--on your chest, then lay him on his back. Good luck, and it gets so much easier with practice!