Can Newborns Sleep on Their Side: What Are the Experts Saying?

You have to take care of a baby even when they are sleeping. More so, if they tend to roll to their sides. This is why you will find parents looking up can newborns sleep on their side.

Also, there is a specific term for this, it is known as newborn curl. If you put your baby to sleep on their back, and they automatically turn to their sides, in the fetal position, it is known as newborn curl.

During the last few weeks of pregnancy, their muscles strengthen and they get into the fetal position. They get used to that position, and initially, when they are sleeping outside the womb, they get back in that position for comfort.

Knowing Newborn Sleep Positions

The short answer to whether can newborns sleep on their side is “no.” It is not a safe option. It is best if your baby sleeps on their back. For the first year, you should put your baby to sleep on their back.

If you find your baby in the newborn curl position when you wake up in the middle of the night, roll them to their back again. If you find your baby crying in sleep, keep checking on them because they might get uneasy in their sleep.

According to AAP or the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby should be sleeping on their back in the first year of their life.

Side-sleeping in Newborns: The Risk Factors

Is it okay for newborns to sleep on their side? Well, no. Certain risk factors come with side sleeping newborns. One of the most common being SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

This happens when the baby cannot wake themselves up if they do not get enough oxygen. Moreover, side sleeping increases the risk if the baby cannot roll back on their back, and their oxygen supply reduces.

Also, if the baby spits up when they are sleeping on their stomach or side, they can choke. The fluid that is coming up from the stomach can get to their lunch and there is an increased risk for choking.

Is It Always Safe to Put Them to Sleep on Their Back?

Now that we have discussed whether can babies lay on their side, let’s look at the other side. Is it always safe to lay them on their back? There are certain side effects to this as well.

Flat-head syndrome or plagiocephaly happens if a baby always sleeps on their back. Babies have soft skulls and their neck muscles are also weak in the initial few months of their life.

So, if a baby sleeps in one particular position, their skulls will flatten. And this can happen from any position, on any side. So, you have to make sure that they dont in one particular position all the time.

However, there is no reason to panic, as this resolves on its own, or you can try different things to prevent it. If you are putting your baby to sleep on their back, keep a toy at a distance that will grab their attention, and they will turn their heads.

So, even when they are sleeping on their back, their heads will be turned and keep changing sides from time to time to ensure they do not get falt headed from one side.

When Can Babies Sleep on Their Side?

Why can’t newborns sleep on their side? Well, they can, but after a certain age. According to most pediatricians, babies are safe to sleep on their side or their stomachs when they can spontaneously roll back from their sides and stomachs on purpose.

However, you should always place the baby on their back, and if they can roll to their stomach on their own, it means they can get on the back as well.

Also, keep a check on them if they are getting upset after rolling to their stomach, it means they are not comfortable in that position, so get them on their back.

Provide a Safe Sleeping Environment

You must provide a safe sleeping environment and encourage them to develop those habits. This can reduce the risk of SIDS. Here are a few important steps that you should incorporate and develop as their habits.

Get a Firm Mattress

Get them a firm mattress that will fit the crib perfectly. There should be no gap that can trap the baby. Otherwise, it can cause them suffocation.

Flat Sleeping Surface

Get a bassinet or a crib that is particularly made for a baby. Moreover, check before getting the mattress as well. There should not be any edges or no part of it should be elevated.

Minimal Bedding

Develop a habit of sleeping without any soft objects. There should not be any blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys. Do not keep any loose bedding around them which can suffocate them in any way.

Different Sleeping Spaces but in the Same Room

Make your baby sleep in a separate space. Do not share the same sleeping space. According to AAP, you should share the room with your baby but sleep separately.

This way, you will be able to keep an eye on them while developing a safe spelling habit and giving them a safe sleeping environment. In the beginning, baby fighting sleep will be a concern when you put them separately, but they will get used to it.

Avoid Overheating

The temperature of the room should be comfortable and always get them to bed in breathable clothes. This will prevent overheating, which is often known to increase the chances of SIDS.

Things To Do if Baby Prefers Side-sleeping

If your baby tends to roll to the side while sleeping, you can try some of these things to keep them safe and reduce the risk of SIDS.

Swaddle Them

Swaddling is one of the best options if you want the little precious to feel safe while getting them to sleep on their back.

You will find different baby swaddles, get them the best one and once you figure out that they can roll over on their own, you can stop swaddling.

Safe Sleep Space

Ensure you get them a firm mattress along with a tight sheet. Avoid keeping stuffed toys, loose bedding, and blankets in their crib. This can make them uncomfortable and suffocate them as well.

Comfortable Environment

Modulate the room temperature. It should be between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20-22 degrees Celcius. Moreover, keep the room dark as it helps them sleep better.

Share Sleeping Space

According to AAP, sharing a sleeping space with your baby reduces the chances of SIDS by almost 50%. Moreover, you can keep an eye on your baby even if they try to change positions and adjust themselves in their sleep.

Common Myths About Infant Sleep Positions

While exploring if a baby can sleep on their side, you will come across different myths related to a baby’s sleeping positions. Here are some of the common ones listed.

Myth	Fact
Side sleeping is safe for babies with refluxes.	According to AAP, all babies should be on their backs, even the ones with refluxes. Back sleeping is considered the safest sleep position.
Your baby will choke less when they sleep on their stomachs.	Babies sleeping on their stomachs are at risk of choking and SIDS.
Babies should sleep on their side to clear amniotic fluid.	There is no research-backed data to prove this yet.
A baby chokes on vomit when they sleep on their back.	Babies have a clear airway when they sleep on their backs, and it is their automatic reflex that makes them spit up.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are some questions that people frequently ask when discussing whether can newborns sleep on their side. Here are the questions mentioned.

Wrapping Up!

Now you have the answer to whether can newborns sleep on their side, so make sure you take care of the situation tactfully. Provide them with a safe sleeping environment.

Newborns sleeping on their sides is not recommended because it increases the risk of SIDS. Instead, get them a crib mattress that is firm and without any edges.

However, when the baby starts to roll, they will have their favorite sleeping position, and this is often impacted by safe sleeping practices.