When is it okay for a baby to sleep on its stomach?

When may a baby sleep on his or her stomach? There are two possible answers to this question. Babies may sleep on their stomachs when they are strong enough to turn on their own. On the other hand, you want to delay a prone position for as long as possible. This has everything to do with the consequences. This is because the risk of crib death is significantly higher with stomach sleepers than with a supine position. When can and can your baby safely sleep on the stomach?

A prone position for babies increases the risk of crib death

A baby preferably sleeps from birth on his back. Research has shown that a prone position increases the risk of crib death. The exact cause of this sudden death is not known. However, there are a number of factors that play a major role, including an early abdominal or side position in babies .

The risk of crib death is greatest in the first six months after birth. However, the danger is not over after this period. Crib death occurs in infants up to 2 years of age. So you want to prevent belly sleeping until this time. However, some babies at 6 months are already strong enough to turn themselves. Extra monitoring during sleep is therefore necessary.

This is another reason why you want to prevent belly sleeping in babies:

• Babies who sleep on their stomachs get too hot faster. This is because the body makes more contact with the mattress than in a supine position. To prevent overheating, it's also good to know When a baby can sleep under a comforter .

• If your baby is lying with his or her face toward the mattress, the airways are closed off more than in a supine position. There is therefore a risk of shortness of breath or even suffocation. In addition, a shortage of oxygen occurs. This is caused by rebreathing. This means that your baby breathes in the exhaled air again.

• Belly sleepers move faster in their beds than back sleepers. The baby can push off with both hands and feet. For example, on the edge of the crib. At that moment, the baby can become entangled in the sheet, pillow or head guard.

The best sleeping position for small children is on their backs. Also to prevent nasal colds and ear infections back. Babies who sleep on their backs have a lower throat temperature. Therefore, harmful bacteria have less chance to grow into a cold, ear or respiratory infection. So a supine position in babies is also healthier.

Tummy lying in babies training under your supervision

Although a baby should not sleep on their stomach while you are away, you can train a prone position. Of course when the baby is awake and under your supervision. This way you can prepare your baby for tummy sleeping and train the development of his or her motor skills. Your baby has to lift its head and trains the arm and back muscles. As a result, your baby will soon be able to sit, as well as crawl and step.

Although you are still careful with your baby in the first weeks, it's a good idea not to wait too long to do this training. You can start from the time your baby is 4 months old. From 6 months they can usually turn on their own, even in their crib. By practicing the prone position regularly, you don't have to worry if your child will turn from his back to his stomach. Of course, you do need to monitor and correct this.