For many years, experts told new parents that it was okay to allow their babies to sleep on their stomachs or even their sides; however, in more recent pediatric news, experts have cautioned against this particular sleep position. The “Back to Sleep,” a campaign that has cautioned parents against allowing their children to sleep in any other position, has brought to light that allowing infants to sleep on their stomach or side can increase the risk of risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Recently, Ray J posted a picture of Princess Love and their daughter sleeping on their stomachs and of course, the internet had much to say both in support of the couple and in support of “Back to Sleep.”
A commenter writes, “All three of my boys slept on their tummy’s.”
Another writes, “It’s not that the baby is supposed to be on her back but if she is days to a month old generally it’s the back to prevent suffocating. However, babies now and days start rolling over at 2 and 3 months and for them they find their own way of sleeping comfortably. My daughter is 19 months and she slept on her back for the first 2 weeks only. She constantly was on her side or stomach because somehow she managed to roll over. Scared the heck out of us but hey she is healthy and safe. @princesslove and @rayj keep taking care of your baby girl the way you all see fit.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmKmU7qhTj2/?hl=en&taken-by=rayj
Here are four myths and realities that you need to know about your baby’s sleep position according to Parenting Magazine.
1. Myth: It’s OK to put your baby to sleep on his side. Reality: To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, healthy babies should always be put to sleep on their back — not their stomach or sides.
2. Myth: You can control when and how long your newborn sleeps. Reality: Newborn babies fall asleep when they’re ready and wake up when they’re hungry, wet, or upset or because of some other normal cue.
3. Myth: Swaddling is an outdated method for comforting a fussy baby. Reality: Swaddling, when done properly, can be an effective and soothing technique.
4. Myth: Adding rice cereal to a bedtime bottle helps babies sleep through the night. Reality: There’s no proof that this method has any impact on Baby’s sleep. According to Dr. Andrew Adesman, Chief of the Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York and Associate Professor in the Pediatrics Department at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, “in fact, [adding rice to cereal at bedtime can have the opposite effect.] Introducing rice cereal too early can be unsafe. Babies might not be able to digest rice cereal before 4 months of age.”
Are you a parent? Sound-off on this hot topic. What do you think? Does your baby sleep on their stomach or on their back? We want to hear from you!
