Parents often struggle to put their babies to sleep. After all, newborns are quite hyperactive, and restlessness is something they don’t mind bothering. However, for parents, natural and sound sleep is a part of the baby’s sleeping routine. It’s because careless baby sleep practices and patterns can have different consequences.
Similarly, when a newborn sleeps on side, you may consider it harmless as a parent. However, it may result in sudden respiratory depression and, in some cases, can block the airway.
As a parent, you should know about safe sleep practices, such as putting the baby to sleep on its back and monitoring its movement. If sleep practices are not appropriately followed, and the newborn sleeps on the side, it can increase the risk of choking.
The baby might roll over on its stomach, head stuck against the sheets, and have suppressed breathing. Parents are eager to learn how to put a baby to sleep in 40 seconds or when a baby can sleep with a blanket but don’t know much about safe positions.
Babies spend a lengthy time as fetuses, and it is the reason that newborn sleeps on the side to mimic the fetal position. It gives the baby a sense of security, familiarity, and comfort. Here are the 5 reasons a newborn likes to sleep on side.
- Side sleep is common as it’s a natural baby womb position, and for this reason, newborn sleeps on side sleep. Similarly, newborn rolls on side to sleep as they feel pretty comfortable in this position.
- Newborns roll on their sides to sleep on their stomachs, which is when their heads become trapped. The stuck face in bedding blocks the passage and trips the respiration, leading to suffocation.
- Overheating is a serious condition that disrupts a baby’s sleep. As a parent, you can’t ignore the signs that your baby is too hot while sleeping.
- When newborn sleeps on side, it also increases the risks of soft tissue obstruction such as tongue, lips, and nose, eventually leading to SIDS.
- Like every living being, a baby’s body tissue and cells need oxygen. To prevent trouble breathing, you should put the newborn baby to sleep in the bassinet without toys.
Is It Ok For Newborns To Sleep On Their Side?
Parents often misunderstand why to avoid newborn sleeps on side. They think it increases reflux, vomit, or gag. However, the true nature of side sleep is harmful to the risks of SIDS. When the baby is a newborn, they cannot control their movements. Newborn rolls on side to sleep on their stomach, which will cause decreased breathing. The natural response includes rolling over on your back and continuing your natural breathing rate.
If newborns roll on their side to sleep, there’s no need to worry. The problem is that babies under 6 months can not move their heads, which results in unsafe sleep. After 3-4 months, the baby learns how to move and position itself, so the chances of SIDS decrease significantly when the baby reaches 6 months.
Tips To Improve Baby Sleeping Positions
If the baby is awakening mid-sleep, then they’re unconformable. Make sure not to miss the perfect night light for a kid’s room.The following 3 tips can help you adopt strategies, avoid uncomfortable signs, and improve the quality of your baby’s sleep.
- Bedding plays an important role in keeping the check of your baby’s secure sleep. Multiple stuffed toys, plushies, and other items in the crib create breathing depression. Keep the mattress firm and sheets breathable so the chances of SIDS reduce.
- When putting the baby to sleep, ensure it’s on its back. Side sleep results in rolling over the stomach, which messes with the light-fitted sheets and toy-free crib.
- Monitor the baby’s movements and stay alert with each switch in position, especially if your baby is under 6 months.
- Swaddling can help keep your baby in a safe sleeping position if your newborn likes to sleep on side. However, you should ensure that the swaddle is snug but not too tight and that the baby’s hips move freely.
- To prevent flat spots on the baby’s head, alternate the direction your baby’s head faces when you lay them down. You can also practice supervised tummy time daily to strengthen neck muscles and promote a well rounded head shape.
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Conclusion
Parents often think it’s okay for newborn sleep on side. They overlook the details and consequences of side sleep. Babies who sleep on their stomachs develop chances and symptoms of SIDS. To avoid this condition, parents should put the baby to rest on its back, keep an eye on it, and monitor the shifts in position throughout the night.
Alarms and switches alert parents to the change in position of the 6-month-old baby. Once the baby starts moving its hand and head, don’t worry. Now, it will roll onto its back and develop normal breathing if something goes off. Know which night bulb is suitable to provide a better and sleep-inductive environment for babies. Keep following SearchBabyProducts for more insightful guides and reviews!
