There’s nothing quite like the peace and satisfaction when your baby finally drifts off to sleep. But for many new parents, that peace can also be accompanied by late-night worry wondering if your little one is safe. That’s why figuring out safe baby sleeping positions is so important.
Granted, the rules of safe sleep can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re exhausted. But don’t worry, you’re doing a great job, and we’re here to help!
This simple guide will break down the dos and don’ts of safe baby sleeping positions so that you and your little one can both rest easy tonight.
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- “Back is best” for baby sleeping positions.
- Baby sleeping positions to avoid
- What to do when your baby starts rolling over
- Create a safe environment beyond baby sleeping positions.
“Back is best” for baby sleeping positions.
When it comes to baby sleeping positions, there’s one golden rule that every pediatrician agrees on: always place your baby flat on their back. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies sleep on their backs until at least their first birthday.
It's completely natural to look at your tiny newborn and worry that they could choke if they spit up while they’re sleeping. Thankfully, science and anatomy can give you peace of mind.
When your baby is on their back, their windpipe sits safely above their esophagus. Should your little one spit up, gravity actually helps keep the fluid away from their airway.
So, whether it’s a quick afternoon nap or the middle of the night, always remember that “back is best” for baby sleeping positions. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep your little one safe during slumber!
Baby sleeping positions to avoid
Stomach sleeping
Contrary to popular belief, putting your little one down on their stomach increases the possibility that they could choke if they spit up while they’re asleep. But stomach sleeping poses even more risks for your baby.
When an infant sleeps on their stomach, they’re much more likely to breathe in their own exhaled air, which contains too much carbon dioxide and not enough fresh oxygen. This can cause them to struggle to breathe even though there’s nothing to block the airflow.
What’s more, babies sleep more deeply on their tummies, which may sound like a win but actually means they’re less likely to wake up if their body is in distress or struggling to breathe.
Save the tummy time for when your little one is awake and you can give them your full attention.
Side sleeping
Some parents think that propping a baby on their side is a happy medium between the back and the stomach. Unfortunately, side sleeping is unstable.
As a young baby, your little one doesn’t have much control over their body, so it doesn’t take much for them to accidentally fall forward from their side right onto their tummy.
If this happens before they have the muscle strength and coordination to move themselves to their back, they can easily get stuck and exposed to all the risks of stomach sleeping.
“But what about sleep positioners and rolled blankets to prop them up?” you may ask. These items aren’t the answer, either. They can actually introduce even more dangers into the crib and become a suffocation hazard all by themselves.
Keep the crib clear until your baby is at least one year old.
Inclined sleeping
It’s incredibly easy for a baby to drift off to sleep in a car seat, swing, or bouncer. And, while these devices are great for awake time, letting your baby sleep at an angle carries a serious risk called positional asphyxia.
When a baby is propped up, their heavy head can easily slump forward toward their chest. Because their airway is as narrow as a drinking straw, this chin-to-chest position can easily pinch their windpipe completely shut.
To keep their breathing passage open and clear, your baby should always sleep flat on their back on a firm, level, breathable surface.
What to do when your baby starts rolling over
Around four months old, your quiet little sleeper might suddenly turn into a tiny wiggle-worm. Finding your baby on their tummy in the middle of the night after you put them down on their back can be alarming. But, it’s actually an exciting milestone!
It means they’ve developed the neck and core strength to move their head and body to protect their airway. The same rule still applies: always place your baby on their back when it’s time to sleep. But there’s no need to turn them back over if they do roll during the night once they reach this milestone.
Continue to keep the crib clear of all items until they’re at least 12 months old (18 months is better). The only things in the crib should be a firm and breathable mattress, a breathable fitted sheet, and your little one.
And the very first time your baby tries to roll, whether they’re asleep or awake, it’s time to stop swaddling. Switch to a sleep sack with arms so that your baby can move freely and safely.
Create a safe environment beyond baby sleeping positions.
Creating a safe environment for your little one goes way beyond the baby sleeping positions we’ve been talking about throughout this article.
We’ve mentioned a few times what should be in your baby’s crib while they sleep, but there’s an easy way to remember this: “Bare is beautiful.” That means there’s nothing in the crib but a firm, breathable mattress and your baby.
Beyond the mattress, focus on comfort and closeness. Keep the room cool (between 68℉ and 72℉), and consider running a white-noise machine to mimic the soothing sounds of the womb. Just be sure to keep the machine at least 7 feet away from your baby’s crib, and keep white noise at or below 50 dB.
Finally, while you should strictly avoid bed-sharing, room-sharing is highly recommended. Keeping your baby’s crib or bassinet right next to your bed for the first six months gives you quick, easy access for nighttime feedings, as well as peace of mind.
Safe sleep with Newton
Getting a handle on which baby sleeping positions are best and which to avoid may seem daunting at first. But, just remember, “Back is best,” and “bare is beautiful” for a safe night’s sleep!
Always put your little one down to sleep on their back, and outfit their crib or bassinet with a firm, breathable mattress, such as the Newton Crib Mattress or Newton Wovenaire® Bassinet Mattress.
Newton mattresses are designed with Wovenaire® technology for airflow and breathability. So, even if your little one rolls face down in the middle of the night, they’ll be able to breathe right through the Newton mattress. That’s extra peace of mind for the rolling stage.
Explore everything we have to offer, including washable mattresses, mini mattresses, and organic muslin sheets designed to give the whole family a peaceful, worry-free night of rest.
Frequently asked questions
My baby has a stuffy nose. Can I prop them up with a pillow to help them breathe?
No, never prop a sleeping baby up with a pillow in an attempt to help them breathe. Newborns and young babies don’t have the neck strength to lift their head, and putting them in an inclined position can cause their heavy head to slump forward, pinching their tiny, fragile airways shut.
Even with a cold, the best and safest position for sleep is flat on their back on a firm, breathable mattress.
To combat the stuffy nose and to help them breathe better, try using a few saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe to gently clear their nose before bedtime.
What should I do if my baby hates sleeping on their back and cries?
This may be hard, but the best thing you can do is be patient and continue putting them down to sleep on their back even if they fuss and cry. Your baby likely does this because they feel cozier and more secure when you’re holding them.
To help get them used to sleeping this way, do your best to mimic the relaxed feeling they get in your arms when they’re in their crib.
Try introducing a consistent, calming bedtime routine to help them wind down before you put them down to sleep. This may include a warm bath, a gentle infant massage, and a lullaby. It’s also important to make sure the bedroom is dark and comfortably cool (between 68℉ and 72℉).
Again, regardless of the routine you use, the best thing you can do is be patient and consistent. Eventually, your little one will get used to sleeping on their back.
When is it safe for my baby to sleep with a pillow or blanket?
Wait until your baby is at least one year old (18 months is even better) to introduce a pillow or blanket into their crib.
Before your baby’s first birthday, loose blankets, quilts, pillows, bumpers, and even stuffed animals pose a serious suffocation risk because they might not have the strength or coordination to pull a heavy blanket off their face if it covers their nose and mouth.
If you’re worried about your little one catching a chill during the night, try swaddling your newborn until they show signs of rolling (usually around 4 months old), or use an appropriately sized sleep sack that allows free movement.
