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The Best Sleeping Positions for Newborns

First-time parents often find themselves overwhelmed at the responsibility involved in raising a child. They may find themselves confused by conflicting advice from well-meaning relatives and friends. What was true for one generation may not necessarily apply to the next. Such is the case when it comes to determining the best position for a sleeping newborn. Studies have made it clear that the best -- and safest -- position for a baby to sleep in is on the back.

  1. Traditional Sleeping Positions

    • Up until the end of the 20th century, babies were generally put to sleep on their stomach. Health professionals and caregivers alike believed that a baby that slept on his back would likely choke if he were to spit up or vomit while sleeping. In many cultures, particularly non-Western traditions, parents and babies sleep together, a practice known as co-sleeping. During the early 1990s, however, a New Zealand study showed that putting babies to sleep on their back significantly reduced the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

    • Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is an umbrella term used to describe the unexplained death of infants up to 1 year old. When an infant dies unexpected from no identifiable risk, SIDS may be attributed after all other factors are ruled out by all means, including autopsy. The New Zealand Cot Death Study found a statistically significant correlation between babies that slept on their stomach and SIDS. As a result, in 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all infants be placed on their back or side when sleeping.

    Back to Sleep

    • The American Academy of Pediatrics initiated its "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1994, following the 1992 recommendation that babies be put to sleep on their back or side. The side-sleeping position was found to not be stable, so that recommendation was dropped. Over the next several years, the number of babies sleeping in the prone -- on the stomach -- position declined from 70 percent in 1992 to 17 percent in 1998, according to a 2003 study. The number of cases of SIDS declined by 40 percent. The academy further suggests that parents use a firm mattress with snug bedding and avoid putting toys or soft bedding in the sleeping area.

    Considerations

    • Parents concerned about their child's ability to sleep on the back should consult with a pediatrician. There may be underlying medical reasons why a child might need to sleep in a position other than on the back, but such decisions should be made in consultation with a health care professional. While it recognizes the value that some cultures and traditions put on co-sleeping arrangements, the academy instead suggests that an infant be placed in a crib or bassinet close to the parents' own bed. In this way, parents can still quickly respond to their baby's needs, and a nursing mother can easily feed her baby.

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