The position in which we lay a baby to sleep is not a trivial matter. It's not about which one is more comfortable for the little one, but about his safety. As stated on the website of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development – of the National Institutes of Health of the United States –, research shows that the safest position for babies to sleep is on their back.
This is because it is the position that carries the lowest risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Additionally, babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to have fever, stuffy nose, or ear infections. On the same portal they insist on the importance of the baby sleeping on his back not only at night, but also during the naps he takes throughout the day. “Babies who usually sleep on their backs, but are put to sleep on their stomachs at other times, such as nap time, are at very high risk for sudden infant death syndrome,” they say.
However, it is common for parents to have numerous doubts about the implications of their baby always sleeping on their back. The American Academy of Pediatrics dedicates a publication to review the most frequent concerns in this regard.
One of the main concerns of parents is whether their baby is resting well when sleeping on their back, since in this position they tend to wake up more frequently. This is, in fact, why sleeping on your back is safer for babies than sleeping on your stomach, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
On the other hand, there is also the fear that babies will choke on their own vomit or regurgitation while they sleep. “Several reassuring studies, as well as the test of time, have shown that healthy babies who sleep on their backs can turn their heads and/or protect their airways when they spit up. And, although it may seem surprising, the anatomy of babies makes it more likely that they will suffocate when they are lying face down,” they say.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also banishes the fear that sleeping on your back brings with it skull deformities such as plagiocephaly. To reduce the risk of flat head syndrome in your baby, you simply need to try to alternate the direction your baby is facing when put to sleep, as well as spend time in other positions while awake.
