Patient's question:
My baby is already 11 months old. Since he was over 9 months, he has liked sleeping on his stomach. I'm worried that this might not be good for his heart, but I saw in a newspaper that sleeping on his stomach is actually beneficial for his brain.I would like to ask the doctors for your opinion on this.
Doctor's answer:
Hello, the advantages of prone sleeping for babies are:1. Less likely to spit up milk;
2. Even if they spit up, it won’t block their airways, reducing the risk of danger;
3. The head shape looks better;
4. The head can straighten up more quickly.
Due to these benefits, more hospitals are now recommending that babies who sleep on their backs be switched to prone sleeping. Regardless of the choice, the principle is to ensure the baby sleeps soundly and feels comfortable. Although prone sleeping has many advantages, it’s also wrong to force a baby into this position if their face turns red and they appear to be in pain.
It’s important to observe the baby’s condition carefully and choose a sleeping position thoughtfully. The biggest concern with prone sleeping is suffocation. Additionally, for babies whose heads haven’t yet developed enough strength to turn their faces, lying in a soft cotton blanket can pose a risk if their face is covered, potentially leading to suffocation. Therefore, it’s advisable to use a more flexible mattress.
Around the age of 4 months, a baby’s neck can straighten up, so it’s best to keep them within your sight as much as possible.