Should my baby sleep on its back or front?
As
discussed in creating a safe sleeping environment, it’s much safer for your baby
to sleep on her back.
In the past moms used to be advised to lay their babies on
their tummies to sleep as it was thought that this prevented babies choking id
they spat up as they slept. However, research has suggested there’s a link
between sleeping babies on their tummies and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or crib death). See our
video guide to reducing the risk of SIDS.
Therefore,
the safest position for your baby to sleep in is on her back with her feet near
the end of the crib: the feet-to-foot position. Tummy time is still important
for your baby’s development and it’s fine for her to spend some time lying on
her front as long as you’re there to supervise and make sure she doesn’t fall
asleep while she’s on her front.
Why
not chat to other moms about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on our
chat
forum. Alternately, if you want to meet other moms in your area
with similar age babies, visit our people section to find out what’s
happening in your area. If you have any unanswered questions, use our questions page to gain wisdom from other
moms or our resident experts for all those pregnancy or baby-related niggles. Have
a look at our kit section where we list our favorite baby gear.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.