Is It Safe For My Baby Sleep On One Side?

Is It Safe For My Baby To Sleep On One Side?

The answer is ‘NO’. Babies who sleep on their side are found to have an increased risk of SIDS. The risk of SIDS for a baby who sleeps on one side is more than double that of a baby who sleeps on his back. This is because even a newborn can easily roll onto his stomach when he sleeps on his side which is very dangerous.

Till What Age Does The Risk Of SIDS Is There For Babies?

The majority of SIDS occur before the baby reaches 6 months of age. The peak time is found to be when the baby is between one to four months old. Once they start rolling over around six months the rate of SIDS will begin to diminish.

What If My Baby Is Not Comfortable Sleeping On His Back?

Make your baby get used to sleeping on their back by encouraging them and turning them repeatedly. Safety is more important than the convenience of the baby. Don’t let them get used to the comfort of sleeping on their sides. For this, start making them sleep on their back as early as possible. Even if your baby is not comfortable, they will get used to this safe position gradually.

What If My Baby Always Turns To Sleep On A Side?

Here are a few things you can do if your baby always turns to sleep on their side

• One thing that you can do to prevent your baby from rolling to their tummy while sleeping on a side is to make sure the underneath arm is stretched forward
• Never let your baby’s arms stay closer to his side. This will let him roll to his tummy easier
• Never use a back wedge which encourages the rolling of your child from side to stomach. If needed, use a front wedge which allows the baby only to move to his back even if he is sleeping on one side

What Are Flat Spots?

A baby’s head is very soft at the time of birth. This is to permit the growth of the brain that happens during the first year of life, apart from facilitating the delivery. When a baby sleeps in the same position most of the time, the soft and movable skull plates leave a flat spot on that area of the head of the baby. It is an appearance problem rather than a medical problem as it will not affect the development of the brain. Read more on the topic here.

Does My Baby Develop Flat Spots On The Back Of The Head?

Yes, your baby can develop a flat spot at the back of the head if you put him to sleep always on his back (which is highly recommended). The hair is also found to grow less on these parts.

How Can I Prevent Flat Spots On My Baby’s Head?

Flat spots don’t need any treatment and will vanish as the baby grows up as they reposition themselves. The following steps will help you to prevent the flat spot or normalize the shape of the skull if already your child developed a flat spot.

• Change the position of the head carefully when your infant sleeps.
• Increase tummy time.
• Try to alternate the head position every night once they start to sleep for a long time at a stretch.
• Alternate cribs position.
• Keep something that attracts your baby’s attention on alternate sides when he is awake. This will make him turn his head both ways when lying on his back.

What If My Baby Rolls Into His Stomach Even If I Made Him Sleep On His Back?

Once your baby passes six months of age, they will start rolling over, which is another developmental milestone for your baby. So, during this phase, there are chances that your baby rolling over to his stomach even if you put him to sleep in his back position. No need to disturb his sleep by turning him to a back position if he himself rolls onto his stomach during his sleep. Instead, watch him closely and never let him alone while he sleeps.

Click here to read more from our section on Baby Sleep And Rest.

8 Tips To Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Well

Following are top tips to help your newborn baby sleep well:

1. Maintain a regular, soothing nighttime routine.
2. Put them to sleep as soon as they seem tired. Avoid overtiredness.
3. Make sure the baby is not overdressed. Make sure they wear only one more layer than what you wear.
4.  Maintain room-temperature optimal. Baby sleeps best when the temperature is consistent and cool.
5. Swaddle the baby.
6. Keep nighttime diaper changes quick.
7. When you get up for a nighttime feed, don’t turn on the bright lights.
8. It is also critical to place the crib in the proper location. Choose a place that is not directly in the path of your air conditioning or heating vents.

It is not safe or recommended for your baby to sleep on their sides. This can increase the risk of SIDS in babies. Instead, you can get your baby used to sleeping on their back from an early age.

FAQ’s

1. Are Babies Sleeping On One Side At Risk Of SIDS?

Any infant less than one-year-old should only sleep on their backs, never their stomachs or sides. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome is raised when babies sleep on their stomachs or sides.

2. Does Babies Sleeping On One Side Cause Struggle In Breathing?

Placing a baby to sleep on their side increases the likelihood that they will roll over onto their stomach. In the early days, when babies can’t hold up their own heads, they may find it difficult to breathe if their faces sink into the mattress.