Baby 4 5 months sleeping on his stomach. Is it bad for a newborn baby to sleep on his stomach? What to do if the child lies on his stomach in a dream

Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova

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Article last updated: 04/16/2019

Medical science is constantly improving and revising many of its recommendations. This is especially true of such age as the period of newborn and infancy. The first year of a child's life is only conditionally divided into these two periods. In psychology, they use the criterion for the appearance of a revitalization complex in a baby. Before its appearance, the baby is considered a newborn (4-6 weeks from the moment of birth), after - a baby.
In many cases, psychology and pediatrics expresses considerations “for” and “against” this or that action, phenomenon or fact and recommendations. Responsibility for making decisions in this case lies with the parents. This fully applies to the issue of the sleeping position of the newborn.

Sleep positions for newborns

The classic sleeping position for a baby of the first month of life is the position on the back with half-bent arms and legs and the head turned to the side. The baby is still trying to get closer in sleep to the position he occupied for the previous 9 months, in addition, he still cannot fully relax due to increased muscle tone. Saying that the newborn is in this position and should sleep. In fact, a baby does not owe anyone anything. There are no strict contraindications for sleeping in a different position for a healthy child, for example, on the stomach. There are tips on how to properly organize such a dream, warnings and restrictions. Many infants prefer a different position. For example, the position "on the stomach" is preferred by newborns suffering from intestinal colic and flatulence. This situation is possible if the parents do not swaddle the baby. Otherwise, he will sleep on his back or on his side.

Sleeping on your back: pros and cons

If parents practice swaddling, sleeping on their back with their head turned to the side is the position in which the baby will have to rest. If parents allow the baby loose clothes (undershirts, sliders), there is more choice. But from the point of view of classical medicine, a newborn, until he has learned to roll over himself, needs to be laid on his back to sleep. This is the most natural position for him. Its advantages are:

free breathing (no pressure on the chest);
the inability to block the nasal passages with foreign objects (pillow or sheet);
it is easy for a mother to observe the quality of a baby’s sleep and notice possible unpleasant moments (for example, interruptions in breathing).

The disadvantages include the possible aspiration. If the baby turns his head straight and burps profusely at this moment, he may suffocate.

If the baby sleeps in this position, you need to make sure that the head is turned on its side - this will prevent aspiration. It is also necessary that the child change the position of the head (do not choose a favorite side), since the bones of the baby are still very soft and turning the head to one side can lead to skull deformity and torticollis.

Sleeping on your side: pros and cons

There is nothing wrong with the fact that the baby sleeps on his side, no, if he is able to roll over on his own. Laying the baby on its side, if the parents do not practice swaddling, is not necessary. But there are also no strict contraindications if the parents turn over the newborn, who himself cannot yet turn around.

If a child sleeps on the same side all the time, he may develop a deformity of the hip joint, a beveled skull and the same torticollis may appear.

If the child is put on the same side 3-4 times in a row, then he will become a favorite for sleep and deformation processes will begin. A child at the age of a newborn is very easy to injure.

Doctors consider this position potentially dangerous due to possible squeezing of the nasal passages. Also, if the baby lies on the left side for a long time, the area of \u200b\u200bthe heart is compressed, and this can lead to inadequate rest and worsen the baby's well-being.

The positive point is the fact that aspiration does not occur when milk is burped.

Sleeping on your stomach: pros and cons

provides sound sleep;
development of back muscles;
is a self-massage pose;
relieves intestinal colic.

These are all the positive things that a baby gets if he sleeps on his stomach. If a child prefers to sleep on his stomach, he physically develops faster: he begins to raise and hold his head earlier. There are different ways to sleep on your stomach.

When a baby sleeps on his tummy, with his pelvis raised, his arms resting on the bed (in the fetal position), with his head turned to the side, this is considered to be the best sleeping position for the baby. Because:

the baby presses the handles with his body, he, shuddering, will not be himself as a result of the Moro effect;
in this position, minimal pressure is placed on the pelvic joints, which are not fully formed;
pressure on the small and thin bones of the skull is minimized;
blood quickly and freely enters the brain (no hypoxia);
the risk of choking is minimal;
intestinal colic is less of a concern.

However, for a newborn, official medicine does not approve of such a position. Since it is believed that it is associated with SIDS. This is a syndrome that describes the sudden death of a baby in a dream. Relationships with sleep posture are indirect, so this issue is still controversial.
There is also an alternative opinion, which is sudden infant mortality due to the removal of the mother (her being in another room). The break in energy, psychological and physical contact is perceived by the baby's body as a stress that not every child experiences. In addition, being at a distance, a mother may simply not notice any negative changes happening to her baby.
The reasons why up to 30% of seemingly healthy infants die in a dream are not fully understood. Breathing stops, not necessarily, by the way, in a position on the stomach, and the child dies. Although, if the baby sleeps on his back, according to statistics from European countries, the risk of premature death from SIDS is reduced by up to 2 times. For some reason, boys are more likely to die.

In newborns, even healthy ones, short-term arrhythmias (failures in the heart rhythm) and interruptions in breathing are possible. Additional pressure on the chest or the position when the baby rests his face on the sheet can negatively affect his well-being up to respiratory arrest.

In connection with the above, a legitimate question arises, is it possible for a newborn to sleep on his stomach? A healthy, strong newborn is shown to sleep on his stomach, at least a few hours a day. There are no strict contraindications to this position. The key word here is "healthy".

When should you not put your baby to sleep on your stomach?

When the child is sick. Respiratory infections, respiratory diseases, all conditions that affect the act of breathing and the ability of the airways to pass air, including the presence of crusts in the nose, are conditions in which sleeping on the stomach is not recommended.
The baby does not know how to clear the airways on its own, it has practically no cough reflex. Up to 3 months of age, the infant does not respond, as an adult, to blocked nostrils. Therefore, in case of difficulty breathing, the presence of a runny nose, allergies, etc. categorical it is impossible to lay an infant in the first months of life on the stomach. In the case of a mild physiological runny nose, it is necessary to clear the nasal passages before going to bed. When else is sleeping on your stomach contraindicated? Main aspects:

developmental anomalies;
diseases of the central nervous system;
heart disease;
prematurity;
small whole child in multiple pregnancy.

You should not put the child to sleep on his stomach if both parents are smokers, prone to alcoholism or drug addiction. Because it increases the risk of SIDS.

Healthy sleep on the stomach: basic rules

The child sleeps the way he likes. When he begins to roll over on his own, getting him to sleep in any position is difficult. To ensure a sound and healthy sleep on your stomach without consequences, it is enough to follow a few simple rules:

put the baby to sleep in a well-ventilated room;
observe the temperature regime;
up to a year, do not put the child on the pillow;
do not wrap the baby;
sleep with him in the same room;
turn over in a dream;
the bed (mattress) of the baby should be hard and even.

If you are afraid that the baby, when he starts to roll over on his own, will not sleep correctly or will suffocate in his sleep while you sleep, you can purchase a special baby cocoon. It provides a fetal position in the supine position, which children like, as it creates a feeling of being close to that which the child had in the mother's womb. At night, you can put the baby in this cocoon on the bed next to you. And during the day, let him sleep the way he wants.

Some parents note that their child sleeps on their stomach most of the night and worry that such a position may adversely affect health. Such fears are justified, since many natural processes are impeded in this position, which can cause various disorders and poor health. Doctors note that compression of the chest and abdominal wall during sleep can cause respiratory arrest and digestive disorders in a weakened person.

The importance of posture in children during sleep

If the child is put to sleep and he himself turns on his stomach, having slept like that all night, then in the morning instead of cheerfulness and good mood, he may feel tired and weak. In some cases, pain may appear in different parts of the body, which aggravates poor health.

Doctors recommend falling asleep in a comfortable position, however, it is important that the spinal column forms a straight line. The best position in this case is on the side. At the same time, it is important to choose the right pillow so that kinks do not form in the cervical region, making it difficult for the blood supply to the brain.

If the position of the body is not physiological, then the following processes are hampered:

blood supply;
intestinal peristalsis;
functioning of internal organs;
sometimes breathing can be oppressed.

In this case, instead of proper rest, the body is forced to work in an enhanced mode in order to compensate for the load created by the wrong position.

Choosing the right position for children

The task of parents is to teach their children, given their age, how to relax and what not to do under any circumstances. First of all, you should provide comfortable conditions for sleeping in the nursery, namely:

The mattress should be of medium firmness. It is best to stay on the orthopedic option.
The pillow should be small in size, experts recommend choosing buckwheat husk as a filler - such an accessory helps to fall asleep quickly, while maintaining the health of the cervical spine.
For younger children, beds with small sides should be purchased, since at this age the child can actively move in his sleep and fall to the floor.
Before going to bed, it is recommended to ventilate and maintain the air temperature in the room within 18-20 0 С.
You should not put the child in a bed that is too soft and warm - overheating of the body and incorrect body position will not contribute to proper rest.
It is recommended to use pajamas and bed linen made from natural fabrics.

If the child likes to sleep on his side, then it is best to lay him on the left side. This will contribute to a better functioning of the heart and digestive system.

The main criteria for the normal position of the body:

The spine forms a straight line.
The legs are slightly bent. When positioned on the side, a small pillow can be placed between the knees, and when positioned on the back, place it under the knee bend.
In the chosen position, the spine is stretched in all its departments, natural curves are preserved, blood circulation is not hindered, the body experiences pleasant relaxation.

Advantages and disadvantages of sleeping on your stomach

The opinion of doctors about sleeping on the stomach is unanimous: constantly being in this position at night is dangerous to health. However, there are some advantages of such a holiday:

With increased gas formation, pressure on the stomach will relieve intestinal colic and bloating.
If there are problems with the kidneys, then this position will help optimize their work and improve the patient's condition.
For back pain, doctors sometimes recommend sleeping on your stomach for a while to relieve tension from overstressed muscles.

The harm from such a posture is immeasurably greater than the benefit. Consequences of sleeping on your stomach:

Violation of cerebral circulation. When lying on the stomach, the head inevitably turns to the side. This posture causes squeezing of the vessels passing through the cervical spine and feeding the brain.
Difficulty breathing due to chest compression. The lungs are not able to fully open, as a result of which gas exchange worsens, air rich in carbon dioxide stagnates in the alveoli. At the same time, the quality of sleep is noticeably reduced, it will take more time to recover. If the child has a tendency to apnea (stopping breathing), then the likelihood of suffocation in this position is high.
Violation of the urinary tract and reproductive function due to compression of the internal organs.
The risk of developing breast cancer in girls increases, as the growing mammary glands are deformed, stagnant processes develop in them.
The likelihood of gastric ulcer or gastritis increases due to the reflux of the contents of the duodenum 12 back. You can prevent this by abstaining from food 4 or 3 hours before going to bed.
Pain in the cervical and thoracic spine due to incorrect and unnatural body position.
Cosmetic defects in the form of sagging skin of the face and chest, the appearance of early wrinkles.

To lay the child correctly, it is necessary to help him learn to find a position in which the body will function normally and the body will rest. A bent spinal column during sleep will deprive the muscles of relaxation, disrupt the normal blood supply to the tissues and cause ill health.

When sleeping on your stomach is dangerous

When a child in a dream rolls over on his stomach on his own at the age of one and older, this does not pose any threat to his health. In some conditions, it is still better to refrain from such a pose and carefully turn the sleeping person on his side or back.

Cold, bronchitis or runny nose. With rhinitis, the nasal passages are clogged with mucus and normal breathing is disturbed. If we take into account that air begins to stagnate in the lungs due to compression of the chest, then we can assume that the condition worsens due to the habit of lying on the stomach.
Intestinal disorders, full stomach and other digestive system disorders can be exacerbated by insufficient blood supply at night.
Diseases and curvature of the spine are an absolute contraindication to sleeping on the stomach.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system, especially in the presence of circulatory disorders, do not allow rest in this position.

Healthy children, as well as adults, are not recommended to sleep on their stomach, because if such a position becomes permanent, pathologies cannot be avoided. At two or more years of age, children can be taught to sleep in the correct position. At the same time, falling asleep should not be accompanied by discomfort or negative emotions. Do not lift the child at night in order to turn on its side or back. It is recommended to gently, so as not to wake up, turn the sleeping person to the left or right side.

It is noted that the syndrome of sudden infant mortality, which occurs in children under one year old, is associated precisely with the position on the stomach during sleep. Therefore, pediatricians recommend keeping the child in this position while awake, since pressure on the stomach makes it easier for gas to pass. The habit of lying in this way has a beneficial effect on the physical condition and promotes early physical development.

The exact cause of sudden infant death has not been established, but a direct link between sleeping on the stomach and the death of children has been proven. Most of the dead were in this position. It is believed that soft mattresses and pillows, colds and difficult nasal breathing greatly increase the risk of death from suffocation in children who are put to sleep on their stomachs.

Important! At an older age, the likelihood of dying from sudden infant death syndrome is close to zero.

If the child sleeps on his stomach, then Komarovsky recommends establishing whether the child has such risk factors as:

runny nose;
soft mattress and pillow;
dry and warm air in the bedroom;
warm and soft blanket;
parents smoke.

These tips are relevant for children aged from a week to a year.

Pediatricians and psychologists recommend from an early age to teach to fall asleep correctly. The first and main recommendations are as follows: observing the daily regimen according to age and ensuring physical activity when awake. Violation of the routine can turn the life of the whole family upside down and deprive the household of free time, good rest, and turn the child into a twitchy and hysterical creature.

Five tips to improve sleep quality and make it easier to fall asleep:

The dimensions of the bed should be appropriate for the age of the child, for younger children, the sleeping furniture should have small sides to prevent falling.
The pillow should not be too soft and big. Her task is not to raise her head, but to support her neck, ensuring its even position. It is ideal to use an orthopedic pillow.
Circulatory disorders in the limbs should not be allowed: an arm or leg can become numb if they are bent or crushed by the weight of the body.
The head should not be too close to the chest: in this case, the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, which negatively affects health. The problem is solved by choosing a quality pillow and teaching the child to sleep correctly.
In the evening, you should create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation, introduce rituals (bathing, reading fairy tales, quiet activities), after which children will reflexively try to fall asleep over time.

The importance of correct body position during rest is no less important than good posture and proper seating at the table. It is very important for a growing body to fully rest in order to develop well and maintain a healthy state. Providing a child with a comfortable place to sleep and creating a suitable environment is one of the important tasks of parents. At an older age, you should explain how to lie on the bed correctly and why this is important. Young children can be laid in the desired position.

The baby every minute needs the care and affection of the mother, so it is not surprising that in the first months you have a lot of questions about caring for the baby.

How to feed properly, whether it is necessary to give a drink, how to bathe, and most importantly, is it possible for a newborn to sleep on his stomach.

This question often worries young mothers. The reason lies in the fact that, according to some reports, there is a relationship between infant death syndrome and sleeping on the stomach.

What are the benefits of sleeping on your stomach?

Looking at how the baby sleeps, especially on the stomach, there is a feeling that he is very uncomfortable. During sleep, the child can pull the legs to the chest, as if kneeling. This position is very similar to the position in which he was in the womb.

The kid on a subconscious level selects the most suitable option, and sleeping on his stomach reduces the load on the still unformed spine.

The first months of a baby's life are characterized by problems with digestion, which manifests itself in the form of colic, gas and constipation. (For details on how to get rid of colic, see the course Soft tummy >>>)

Often children do not like to lie on their stomach, this position is uncomfortable for them. In this case, you do not need to put the baby on the stomach.

Benefits of sleeping on your stomach:

Laying the baby on his stomach, you provide him with a deep, and most importantly, restful sleep.
The baby feels protected, as the spout is located near the bed linen, with familiar smells. The child perceives the world through tactile sensations, so surrounding him with a comfortable bed during sleep, you protect the child's sleep.
If you look at the statistics, you can see that children sleeping in this position hold their head much better (Learn more about when a child begins to hold his head >>>)
When a child sleeps on his stomach, the correct shape of the joints and bones is formed.
Many parents do not even suspect that at the moment when the child rolls over on his stomach in a dream, he massages himself, as a result of which it has a beneficial effect on the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
In a pose on the stomach, the child can calmly move his arms and legs, but it turns out to be quite difficult to wake himself up with sudden movements.
Given that babies up to 3 months spit up a lot, you can put the baby on the side or on the tummy if the child sleeps better in this position.

If you see that the baby is sleeping soundly in this position, breathes evenly and calmly, does not worry, then he is comfortable and good.

What is the danger of sleeping babies on the stomach?

Sleeping on your stomach is possible if you follow simple safety rules. Komarovsky considers the option when the child sleeps on his stomach favorable for children who were born and develop without pathologies, since the process of physiological development accelerates.

Here is what Dr. Komarovsky says about sleeping on his stomach:

I emphasize the fact that this is about my individual experience. But it is large enough, because I was and remain a practicing doctor. And for me as for practice sleep on stomach- good, and on the back - harm. And for the medical statistician who is trying to find connections between SIDS and other factors, it is possible that sleep on stomach as a reason SIDS has the meaning. But I would analyze completely different things: the pillow, the humidity and air temperature, the number of dust accumulators, the change in atmospheric pressure, the number of people in the children's bedroom, and much more.

Cons of sleeping on your stomach

American experts in the 90s introduced Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which arose due to spontaneous respiratory arrest, due to the child's sleep, buried in a pillow.

During this period of life, breathing skills are not fully developed and the nasal passages are very narrow. The baby, lying facing the pillow, does not even understand that he needs to turn his head.

Breathing may be difficult due to mucus that collects in the sinus. Despite the fact that the likelihood of the syndrome due to sleeping on the stomach has not been proven, doctors recommend being careful.

Young parents are sure that the baby, being in this position, can choke after spitting up, but this is not the case, since this situation is much more dangerous in the supine position. As a result of the penetration of vomit into the respiratory tract, pneumonia may occur, which is problematic to cure.
Another argument is that in this position the chest is compressed, so the baby is hard to breathe. This can rather be considered a prejudice, and if something worries you should consult a pediatrician.

Contraindications for sleeping on your stomach

If the child began to sleep on his stomach, having certain contraindications, you should contact a specialist.

If the baby has deviations in the functioning of the central nervous system or certain pathologies.
The neck of the baby is numb, so parents need to keep a close eye on the baby and turn it over.
Do not forget that the child has not yet fully developed the respiratory reflex, so no matter what position he is in, burying his nose in a pillow or mattress, there may not be enough air. Pay close attention to your baby's sleep. Read more about the reflexes of a newborn >>>.

And one more quote by Dr. Komarovsky, which you need to remember and memorize:

The baby sleeps better in the prone position.
BUT!!!
if there is a pillow;
if the room is dry and warm;
if the mattress is soft and crooked;
if parents smoke;
if there is at least one of these if - you can't sleep on your stomach!!!

Age-related features of sleeping on the stomach

The baby begins to hold the head from 1 month, as soon as the neck muscles get stronger. Until this age, it is better not to put the baby to sleep on the stomach, and not to leave him alone in the crib, because. the baby may suffocate, not knowing how to turn his head.

At 4 months old, a child sleeps on his stomach, since he already has a free hand in the skill of coups and can take a comfortable sleeping position. Read more about when a baby starts to roll over >>>

For sleep, you can use a special sleep fixator, which has vibrating armrests and is able to rock the baby.

When a child sleeps on his stomach at 5 months, the excitement can be minimal: the baby is able to independently change his position, as well as roll over on his tummy without anyone's help. If the baby prefers to sleep on his back, then he is so comfortable.

At six months, the likelihood of suffocation while sleeping on the stomach disappears, but you should not put extra toys, diapers or towels in bed. Remove toys from the crib.

At the age of seven months, a pillow is not needed, because due to the incorrect position of the head, a curvature of the neck may occur.
At 9-10 months, the child can independently determine how comfortable he is, therefore, if he sleeps all night on his stomach, then he is comfortable.

What to do if the child lies on his stomach in a dream?

Question: Can a baby sleep on his stomach? - divided modern mothers into those who turn the baby from one side to the other and those who leave everything as it is.

As a mother of three children, I can say that none of my daughters slept on her stomach in infancy. Up to a month, I swaddle babies in a diaper using the “free swaddling” technique.

During sleep, the child lies on his side, under the back I put a roller of two folded diapers, or a small flannelette blanket. So I'm sure that in a dream the baby will not roll over on his back.

The daughters began to roll over on their stomachs during sleep around 4-6 months, when they mastered and began to control the capabilities of the body.

Important points when a child sleeps on his stomach:

A pillow is not needed.

Babies up to six months do not need a pillow at all, as it can be replaced with a simple diaper. While in the position on the stomach, the face should not be immersed in soft tissue. The mattress should be flat and firm.

Remove all toys, pillows, towels and any other things from the crib that the child may bury in a dream.

Sleep on your back.

If, for some reason, you do not want the baby to rest on your stomach, then you can put the baby on its side, and impose small rollers in front and behind so that the child does not roll over on his stomach or back. .

Exclusion of the occurrence of torticollis.

This item applies to babies in their first month of life. As a result of the fact that the head stays in one position for a long time, torticollis may occur. To avoid this, you need to alternate sleep on the right and left sides.

The opinion of specialists and mothers

Can a baby sleep on his stomach?

Modern research has shown that sleeping on your stomach is much safer than sleeping on your back.

If, nevertheless, you are worried about such a dream, then you can place it on its side and put a soft roller under your back, tummy, as a result of which you can fix the movements. Lying on your side, your breath will be clean and calm.

Love your baby, develop it and surround it with care and attention!

The birth of a child is always a unique event. No matter how many children are born, the questions that arise in young parents are always the same: how to dress a baby, how to feed them properly. All young parents have these questions, which, however, does not detract from their importance and relevance. After all, every child is unique and unrepeatable.

Why is sleep position so important?

The position in which the baby should sleep worries young parents the most. It would seem that let him sleep as he wants. However, not all so simple. Due to the many publications in which a hypothesis was put forward about the connection between sudden infant death syndrome and the position in which the baby sleeps, the question of whether it is possible for a baby to sleep on his stomach worries almost all parents. After all, the safety of the child comes first.

The risk of sudden infant death syndrome

As for younger children, the answer to the question of whether it is possible for a baby to sleep on his stomach will most likely be negative. The fact is that in the first three months, most babies have one feature that makes sleeping on their stomach dangerous for them. If a child between the ages of 0 and 3 months closes the nostrils, then he will not make attempts to release, but simply stop breathing. Typically, these brief pauses in breathing last up to 15 seconds. But if the child's face is buried in a soft pillow or mattress, then respiratory arrest can lead to suffocation.

In addition, a runny nose and too warm air in the room can contribute to respiratory arrest. The nasal passages of babies are extremely narrow. Dried mucus, turning into crusts, can block the baby's access to oxygen.