Prone sleeping position is a risk factor for unexpected infant death. But then, at what age can a baby sleep on his stomach without danger? What to do in case of colic that prevents him from sleeping on his back? Answers from Dr Anne Boutemy, pediatrician.
Some young parents may be tempted to mbe baby on the window so that he sleeps better and relieve him in case of colic. However, the prone position to put baby to sleep when they are toddlers has been banned for many years by health authorities. According to the High Authority for Health, “the main risk factor for unexpected infant death syndrome (SIDS) is lying in a prone position”. It would multiply by five the risks of MIN. The organization also recalled it in a recent studyon the prevention of positional cranial deformities and MIN, published in March 2020 in collaboration with the CNPP (Conseil National Professionnel de Pédiatrie): “sleeping on the back is imperative to prevent MIN”. This recommendation would have already reduced this risk by 76% since the 1990s. at what age can a baby sleep on his stomach without there being any danger to his health? Can he sleep on his side? Pediatrician Anne Boutemy sheds some light on us.
At what age can a baby sleep on his stomach safely?
In general, there is less risk from the moment when baby is able to turn over on his own, around 4 to 6 months. It is indeed necessary to wait until baby has acquired enough tone and mobility to put himself on his stomach without danger (we encourage him during the day, by staying nearby to watch him). The risk of suffocation is therefore reduced since he will be able to raise his head if he has trouble breathing. “From the moment a child knows how to turn around on his own, you can’t stop him, you have to let him do it. Unlike a newborn, he will be able to roll over if he vomits “explains the pediatrician.
What are the risks if a baby sleeps on his stomach?
Sleeping on your stomach poses several risks to baby’s health. The first and the main one is the unexpected infant death syndromeformerly called sudden infant death syndrome. And for good reason, in his first months of life, the newborn does not have the muscle tone necessary to turn and raise his head. The danger is therefore that he will choke, his nose in the mattress if he sleeps on his stomach.
This position also favors the risk ofhyperthermia, which results in an increase in body temperature, since being lying on the belly baby has difficulty regulating its temperature, which is particularly dangerous if it has fever. “We naturally put children on their stomachs becausethey feel better from an intestinal point of view, especially for colic. However, many indisputable studies have shown it: putting babies to sleep on their stomachs promotes sudden infant death syndrome. That is to say, in his first year of life, the newborn dies suddenly when no health problem had been detected in him“, explains Dr. Anne Boutemy,
“We naturally put children on their stomachs because they feel better from an intestinal point of view. However, putting babies to sleep on their stomachs promotes sudden infant death syndrome.”
Before putting baby to bed, several things can be put in place to soothe colic and help baby sleep better:
- Gently massage the baby’s belly, with circular movements.
- Rock baby gently in your arms and reassure him in a calm environment.
- Put a hot water bottle on his belly (be careful that it is not too hot).
- The American pediatrician Hamilton’s method, which consists of taking baby in one hand, folding his arms over his chest, holding him with his hand, then placing his other hand under the baby’s buttocks, leaning him slightly forward and gently moving his posterior.
Baby sleeps on mum’s belly, is it dangerous?
Yes. Putting baby to sleep on mom’s stomach or on dad’s chest can be just as dangerous. It is enough for the parent to fall asleep in turn for him not to realize that the baby risks falling, choking or having bad breathing.
If baby refuses to sleep on back, parents should be patient and continue to sleep baby on back. Upstream, try to soothe him by reassuring him and cradling him in your arms. You can also stay by his side and hold your hands on your stomach or chest so that he regroups and adopts the fetal position (his hands and feet gathered against him).
On the other hand, as advised health insurance, “do not use devices to hold your baby on his back (e.g. rolled up towel, cushion, baby wedge, headrest, bed reducer)”, because they prevent baby from moving and can interfere with breathing. Similarly, if at first sight swaddling has several benefits, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against it in infants as it may cause hyperthermia and lead to MIN, according to their study conducted in June 2016.
Can we make baby sleep on the side?
Laying baby on the side is not recommended.since it is an unstable position that may cause him to roll over on his stomach.
Thanks to Dr Anne Boutemy, pediatrician at Guerville.