Why Infants Should Not Be Laid on Their Stomach
Many parents love to see their babies sleeping peacefully, but the position a baby sleeps in is very important for their safety and health. Laying an infant on the stomach (tummy-down) may look comfortable, but it actually puts the baby at risk.
1. Risk of Suffǒcation
When a baby is on their stomach, their nose and mouth can get pressed against the mattress or blanket, making it harder for them to breathe. Unlike adults, babies don’t yet have strong neck muscles to lift or turn their heads easily if their airway is blocked.
2. Sudden Infant Dêäth Syndrome (SIDS)
Studies show that babies who sleep on their stomach are at a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – an unexplained death that can happen during sleep, usually in babies under 1 year. One of the main ways to reduce this risk is to always put babies on their back to sleep.
3. Weak Neck and Airway Control
Infants’ airways are still very small and delicate. If they are face-down, they may end up re-breathing their own carbon dioxide instead of getting fresh oxygen, which is dangerous.
4. Overheating
Babies laid on their stomachs are more likely to get too warm, especially if covered with blankets. Overheating during sleep is another factor linked to SIDS.
What’s Best?
• Always place babies on their back to sleep, whether for night sleep or naps.
• Use a firm mattress without pillows, toys, or loose blankets.
• Once babies are older and can roll over on their own (usually from 4–6 months), you don’t need to keep turning them back, but always start sleep on the back.
In simple terms: back is best for sleep, tummy is for play. Tummy time should only be when the baby is awake and supervised, because it helps build strong neck, shoulder, and arm muscles.
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