Long sleep times make babies tend to sleep in various positions, one of which is the side position. However, did you know that the baby's side sleeping position is not good? To find out more about the reason, let's look at the discussion when the baby sleeps, he often changes his sleeping position, starting from his back, stomach, to his side. in the following article.
Babies will spend most of their time sleeping. Babies aged 4-7 months, even need 12-14 hours of sleep a day. The length of time the baby sleeps makes him often change his sleeping position, starting from his back, stomach, to his side.
Is it safe for babies to sleep on their side?
A study states that there is a relationship between the baby's sleeping position with the risk of infant death in bed. The position of the baby sleeping on his side or on his stomach is a position that is not recommended.
Babies sleeping on their side often end up sleeping on their stomach, so the baby is at risk of having difficulty breathing. This is because when you sleep on your side or stomach, the airways can be narrowed or blocked. As a result, the baby can experience a lack of oxygen due to difficulty breathing.
An obstructed airway can also increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). To reduce the risk of these fatal health problems, healthy babies should always be put to sleep on their backs.
What is a Good Sleeping Position for Babies?
The best sleeping position for babies is the supine position. So, you need to make sure your little one always sleeps on his back until he is 1 year old. The supine sleeping position has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by up to 50 percent.
Especially for newborns up to the age of 6 months, you need to monitor them more closely so they don't roll over to their side or stomach. Avoid using a mattress that is too soft because the baby will be easier to move. Swaddling a baby under 3 months of age tightly (but not too tightly) can also prevent the baby from sleeping on their side.
In addition to sleeping on your back, also pay attention to the following to avoid the risk of SIDS:
- Don't share bed with baby
In addition, a study states that babies who sleep in the same bed with their parents wake up more often than babies who sleep alone. Therefore, try to get your little one to sleep in a special baby bed.
- Do not put dolls or toysKeep away dolls, toys, thick blankets, or other objects that can fall on and block the baby's airway during sleep. In fact, the use of bumper or pads to protect the sides of the cot is not recommended.
- Always keep the temperature around the room
Make sure your baby is warm when he sleeps. Warm room temperatures tend to make babies sleep more soundly. Wear your little one long-sleeved shirts and long pants that cover the legs, but avoid using blankets or thick clothes.
If you use air conditioning, try to keep the room temperature not too cold to prevent your little one from getting cold (hypothermia).
If your little one accidentally sleeps on his side or on his stomach, immediately turn him over to his back. Some parents may let their baby sleep on their side for fear that the baby will have a flat head shape. However, this can be avoided by multiplyingtummy time (prone) when the baby is awake during the day.