Many babies are not very still when they sleep, rolling around and changing into various sleeping positions. Some babies especially like to sleep on their stomachs. There have been reports online of babies dying from sleeping on their stomachs, which has made many parents extremely worried. Is sleeping on the stomach good or bad?
1. Benefits of Sleeping on the Stomach
1. Improves Sleep Quality
Studies have shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs can improve sleep quality compared to those who sleep on their backs. This may be related to receiving less light and noise stimulation while sleeping on the stomach.
2. Increases Breathing Efficiency
Sleeping on the stomach is beneficial for the full utilization of lung function, providing the brain with sufficient oxygen.
3. Prevents Choking from Vomiting
If a baby vomits while sleeping, sleeping on the stomach allows the milk to come out, while lying on the back could cause the milk to be inhaled into the lungs.
4. Benefits Brain Development
Research has shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs may be more intelligent, possibly because sleeping on the stomach supplies the brain with more oxygen. However, the benefits of sleeping on the stomach are only realized when breathing is smooth. Sometimes sleeping on the stomach can also pose a risk to the baby's health.
Harms of Sleeping on the Stomach
1. Easily Leads to Breathing Difficulties
This is easy to understand. If the baby sleeps on their stomach without turning their head to the side, but instead buries their face in the pillow, it can easily lead to breathing difficulties or even suffocation.
2. Can Cause Chest Deformation
A baby's chest is relatively soft, and frequent sleeping on the stomach can cause deformation of the ribs, etc.
The advantages and disadvantages of a baby sleeping on the stomach should not be polarized. As long as parents do not deliberately make the baby sleep on their stomach or back, and as long as the baby is healthy, it will not lead to serious consequences or achieve significant effects.
3. Sleeping on the Stomach Depends on the Situation
However, some babies have physical conditions where certain sleeping positions are not only beneficial for recovery but also prevent the condition from worsening.
1. Babies Suitable for Sleeping on the Stomach
Babies with congenital torticollis may find that sleeping on their stomachs helps improve the condition. Babies who frequently choke or vomit can avoid choking and suffocation by sleeping on their stomachs. Babies with large tongues can prevent their tongues from retracting, avoiding suffocation caused by the tongue.
2. Babies Not Suitable for Sleeping on the Stomach
Babies suffering from asthma, congenital pyloric obstruction, duodenal stenosis, etc., should not sleep on their stomachs.
