Back to Sleep
The Back to sleep Campaign is is sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the SIDS Alliance, and the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs.
50% reduction of sids
The success of the back to sleep campaign has reduced the incidence of sids by up to 50% (Some studies indicate as much as 75%)But my baby doesn't like to sleep on his back.
It's true that some babies appear to be happier on their tummies but this should not encourage you to ignore the Back to Sleep recommendation.Babies who sleep on their tummies tend to
- overheat more (thought to be a sids risk factor)
- re breath their own breath raising carbon dioxide levels
(thought to be a sids risk factor) - have apnea (pauses in breathing)
Some mothers may worry about their baby choking on spit-up or vomit when sleeping on their back. In fact the research shows that there has been a reduction in babies choking since the Back To Sleep Campaign started.
A baby who tummy sleeps is 12x more likely to be a victim of sids.
What about "Flathead?"
"flat head" or positional plagiocephaly disorder in which the back or one side of an infant's head is flattened, often with little hair growing in that area
. The most common cause for this disorder is the baby's sleeping position. Babies heads are very soft and are susceptible to flattening
if they spend a lot of time in one position.
Parents can help to prevent flathead and still use the back to sleep recommendations
- Put baby at opposite ends of the crib. Alternate the end of the crib each night.
- If you use a night light - move it to different places in the room. Babies tend to follow the light.
- Tummy time. Babies should have time during the day when they have supervised time on their tummies.
- Reposition your baby's head from time to time once he has gone to sleep
- Alternate the side you hold your baby when feeding him.