Babies sleep in different positions. Sleeping in the same position can cause flat head. Sleeping on the tummies can be a cause of SIDS. Which is the best sleeping position? Read on to know.What is the best sleeping position for my baby?
Initially, doctors used to recommend making babies sleep on their tummies to reduce the risk of their choking on spit. Some recent studies have shown that there is an increased risk of cot death or
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), when babies sleep on their tummies. Thus, doctors now recommend that babies be made to sleep on their backs or sides. Once your baby can turn over on her own, this point is moot because she will settle down in whatever position is most comfortable for her.
How to prevent sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS?
Here are some useful tips that can help avert dangerous conditions like sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS. Let us first look into the conditions that increase risk factors.
- Babies sleeping on their tummy.
- Babies sleeping on too soft surfaces like lamb's wool, sofa, pillows, soft toys and soft mattress when you are not around.
- Conditions when bedding covers face of the baby resulting in accidental suffocation or too much of heating.
- In case you are into the habit of smoking since pregnancy or after birth.
Following good sleeping practices can help reduce chances of SIDS among children.
Good Sleeping Habits
Here are some
good sleeping practices that you need to follow to ensure the risk factors are reduced to the minimum. Take a look:
- You need to make sure your baby is lying on her back. Even if she rolls over in the bed, make sure she is on her back when she is asleep.
- The chances of vomiting and chocking also reduce when you put her on her back. Pillows, doonas, soft toys only increase chances of suffocation and thus must be kept away from the bed.
- Your baby's head must not be covered when she is sleeping. The bedsheets of her bed must be tucked well, so that it does not cover her head accidentally.
- Co-sleeping with your baby until she turns 1-year-old is important. It is a good idea to have her cot placed beside your bed when she is too young.
- If you are a smoker you need to know that second hand smoking can cause immense harm to your little one.
- Chances of SIDS with smoking are very high. Talking to your doctor or visiting a counsellor may help when you are trying to quit smoking.
- Using well fitted and firm mattress is essential to ensure safety of your baby. It is better to avoid any padding over the mattress or a second mattress.
- You need to be careful and see the baby is not getting over heated with too much of clothing. Keeping her cool shall ensure a good night's sleep as well.
- Do not be concerned by the flat head syndrome of your baby. Babies are born with soft skull that tends to get flattened when she is sleeping on her back or on one side for long which gets back to normal as she grows.
Apart from the risk factors involved, correct sleeping position also ensures that her posture has good impact on her muscles, bones and over all shape of the body.
These are some of the tips shared when you want to ensure your baby sleeps in the correct position. These shall reduce the risk factors to a considerable extent and you too can enjoy a good night’s sleep. For any further queries and concerns you can always have a talk with your doctor.