When we have just had a baby, our minds are filled with questions about what is right or wrong to do. Many times, we feel like we might be doing something wrong, and this concern is very normal, but when parents have a lot of doubts, the best thing to do is to seek professional guidance from people who can give the best advice about specific situations, such as whether a baby can sleep on their stomach. This is a very valid concern and can raise several other questions related to the baby’s sleep. Depending on the stage, the average sleep time of the child will vary, as well as the number of times they will sleep, since it takes some time for the baby to develop the habit of sleeping together with everyone else in the house1.

Baby Sleep Stages

Check out how babies behave during sleep at each stage:

  • Up to 3 months: Sleeps about 17 hours a day, with several naps and one long stretch, which usually happens at night, but not always.
  • From 3 to 6 months: Sleeps about 15 hours a day, usually 10 during the night and another 5 spread among naps during the day.
  • From 6 to 9 months: Not much changes, although nap times decrease slightly, totaling about 14 hours of sleep in one day.
  • From 1 year to 1 and a half: Usually sleeps 11 hours during the night and typically takes an approximately two-hour nap in the middle of the day.
  • 2 years old: Maintains almost the same routine, but naps are a bit shorter.
  • 3 years old: Keeps a very similar rhythm, but the midday nap is much shorter, sometimes only 1 hour.

Knowing all this about babies’ sleep times, the burning question remains: Can babies actually sleep on their stomach? Now it’s time to consider:

Risks of Babies Sleeping on Their Stomach

It is not recommended for babies to sleep on their stomach. Generally, this position can be dangerous and is associated with sudden infant death syndrome, a phenomenon where babies die suddenly and without explanation during sleep2. Although it does not mean it will definitely happen, numbers show that babies who sleep in other positions besides on their stomach tend to have a lower incidence of this syndrome. When a child begins to have more control over their body movements, around 6 months of age, it is normal for them to turn over during sleep and sleep on their stomach at times. This is not a reason to worry, since, as we said before, just the sleeping position alone does not guarantee problems for the baby. The best recommendation in these cases is to turn the baby to another position whenever you notice they are sleeping on their stomach.

What Is the Best Position for a Baby to Sleep?

If the question of whether a baby can sleep on their stomach has been answered, then what is the best position for them to sleep in? There is no universal consensus among doctors on this question, but some benefits and drawbacks of certain positions are known.

Sleeping on the Side

For a long time, this was the most recommended position by doctors for babies to sleep, as it was believed this way there was less chance of the baby choking if they spit up some food. Over time, it was realized this is not true, since, even while lying on their back, the baby’s head remains turned to the side.

On the Back

This is the most recommended position these days, mainly because it’s the most reliable way to ensure the baby does not roll onto their stomach during sleep. For a long time, it was thought this position could make a baby choke in case they spit up, but as mentioned above, it has now been proven this is not true. Additionally, recent studies point to back sleeping as a way to help prevent ear and nose problems, so in the end, this is the best option3.

What Is the Best Pillow for Babies?

Now that we understand whether a baby can sleep on their stomach or not, there are other questions too, like where they will sleep, especially regarding the pillow. So, what is the best type of pillow so the baby can sleep safely and healthily? First, since a baby’s head is a very fragile part of their body, ideally the pillow should not have any hard qualities that could cause the baby to hit their head or have trouble sleeping. It’s also important to pay attention to the amount of foam or filling in the pillow, since too little can allow the baby’s head to “fall through” the pillow and too much could lead to suffocation. The ideal is really a middle ground, which, combined with a good sleeping position, ensures good nights of sleep and restful naps for babies. Questions and concerns about how babies should sleep are very common, especially among first-time parents, but it’s still important to ease our worries and know the best ways to handle these little issues that may seem simple but can cause a lot of concern. Knowing whether a baby can sleep on their stomach is a normal question, and it’s important to know what are the risks and benefits that each position brings for the baby so they can have the best sleep possible. See Also: Can a Baby’s Flat Head Go Back to Normal? Photo: smpratt90