Your pediatrician will probably tell you, your nurse will tell you, your friends tell you, your baby should sleep on its back. Do you know why your baby should sleep on its back?

The reason everyone is recommending you place your infant on their back is due to research. Research has shown that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, more commonly known as SIDS goes up dramatically in babies sleeping on their stomachs. While SIDS deaths are not very common, with scientific evidence showing a significant difference in risk factors, why would you take any unnecessary chances?

Your mother, grandmother, and aunts may all protest, and tell you to have your baby sleep on their stomach. This was considered the best position in the past. The old theory was infants were more likely to choke on “spit-up” or vomit during their sleep. Scientific research has proven differently. There is not any higher risk of suffocation from spit-up with an infant on their back or on their stomach.

You will need to take the time to instruct your family members and friends very carefully about having your baby sleep on its back. They will want to use the methods and techniques they learned as a mother.

Other factors you will want to consider. The bed surface should be firm. You do not want a mattress, blanket, or pillows your baby can sink into. Actually, you should not use pillows in their bed at all. Your infant does not get any additional comfort from a pillow, and it increases the risk to your baby. It gives one additional item to cover your baby’s nose and mouth.

Use blankets sparingly. Most times you wrap your baby in a blanket for sleeping, which should provide enough warmth. If you add additional blankets for covering your baby, you once again increase the small risk of suffocation.

When can your baby start sleeping on its stomach? They best advice is to wait until they are strong enough to roll over both directions. When you see them able to consistently roll over both ways, they will then be able to roll back over, and also have the strength to move most obstacles away from themselves. This is normally going to be somewhere around six months old, but you will need to observe your own baby.

Before you start having your baby sleep on their stomach, discuss it with your pediatrician. He will probably give you the lecture of why your baby should sleep on its back, but then will give you advice on when your baby’s development, and if it is an appropriate time or not.

Now that you know the major reason why your baby should sleep on its back, and other factors for safe sleeping, you can relax knowing you are taking all the necessary precautions. Your baby will sleep peacefully, and safely, and so will you. Knowing the facts always allows you to make the best decisions possible.