2006-11-12 11:47:38 · 22 answers · asked by girl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The theory behind the "back to sleep" campaign is that sleeping on the back reduces the chances for SIDS. However, it has recently been discovered that SIDS may be related to the deficiency of a certain chemical in the brain.
People used to put babies to sleep on their bellies to prevent them from aspirating their spit-up if they spit up in their sleep while sleeping on their backs. Obviously that risk was not eliminated when people started putting babies to sleep on their backs. This is something to consider.
You should always take your pediatrician's advice under consideration, but if your baby doesn't want to sleep on his or her back, you can put them to sleep on their belly if you are very careful.
2006-11-12 11:53:16 · answer #1 · answered by Erika S 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Put your baby to sleep on her back
This is the single most important thing you can do to help protect your baby. The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths estimates that the 'Reduce the Risk' public awareness campaign has saved nearly 1,000 babies' lives a year in the UK since it began in 1991. Putting your baby on her side (with one arm outstretched so she can't roll onto her face) is safer than tummy-down, but still not as good as placing your baby on her back to sleep. Research shows that placing your baby on her stomach to sleep doubles your baby's risk of cot death. Also, put her with her feet at the end of the cot so she can't wriggle too far down under the blankets. If you have any questions about your baby's sleep position, talk to your midwife or health visitor.
2006-11-12 11:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by JB 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not. My 5 month old died of SIDS and she was on her BACK. In my SIDS group about 85% of the mothers said that there babies were on their backs, sides, car seats, swings, strollers, so there were fewer that died on their tummies than in any other position. It's best theory they have come up with and they are sticking to it but I do not support it, not since my baby died that way.
2006-11-12 13:20:44 · answer #3 · answered by shannonmangan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A baby breathes very fast.... when a baby is face down he inhales carbon dioxide rich air that bounces off the mattress every time he exhales- instead of fresh oxygen rich air.
Apparently less babies die from SIDS ever since parents have their babies sleep on their back.
2006-11-12 11:55:03 · answer #4 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because when a baby sleeps on its stomach there's a risk that the baby could suffocate.
2006-11-12 12:10:05 · answer #5 · answered by Kiara 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They do recommend for babies to sleep on their backs for the reasons listed above. However, it is still possible for a baby to spit up and choke if s/he is on his/her back.
2006-11-12 11:57:42 · answer #6 · answered by qwerty456 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So they don't smother there face and possibly suffocate themselves (check stats on SID syndrome) seeing as their strength is still not top notch. Although I found with all 3 of mine it was better to start them sleeping on their sides with a rolled blanket propped behind them.
2006-11-12 11:52:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The theory is that it's harder for the baby's face to become trapped in the bedding and suffocate those babies with failure-to-rouse issues. This is thought to be the cause of crib death, currently.
2006-11-12 11:50:25 · answer #8 · answered by oohhbother 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its not exactly better but it helps it breathe better, if a baby sleeps on its' stomache it could sufficate, and you dont want to take the risk.
2006-11-12 11:56:10 · answer #9 · answered by IcanHelpyou:) 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It protects babies from SIDS- altho my kids never could sleep that way.
I also worried about them chocking on spit up- if they laid on the back.
I do no that is what they recommend tho.
2006-11-12 11:50:49 · answer #10 · answered by Mommyk232 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋