When is it okay for a baby to sleep on its side? Why should a baby sleep on its back?

When should a baby sleep on their side? Your baby's sleeping position is important. Babies should preferably sleep on their backs. This significantly reduces the risk of crib death. Newborn babies should not sleep on their stomachs. A baby in the first weeks may sleep on his or her side if necessary.

This is allowed up to the age of 2 weeks. After that, the baby is strong enough to roll back onto his or her tummy. Something you want to prevent. To rule out crib death, but also to encourage good breathing. Babies lying on their tummy cannot breathe freely. So the exhaled air is inhaled again due to the limited space.

Side lying only for babies who can turn on their own

Although your baby may sleep on his or her side for the first 14 days after birth, this is not recommended. The best sleeping position for babies is on their backs. When a baby may sleep on the stomach depends on how your baby is developing. In any case, baby should not lie on its side or tummy until it can turn back on its own.

As soon as this happens, it is wise to prevent this for as long as possible. If your baby automatically turns on its side or stomach, you can correct this during sleep. As the baby gets stronger, it will turn back on its own when it breathes on a prone position against the mattress or cannot adopt a comfortable side position. Usually starting at 6 months.

Getting baby to sleep on the side with the right measures

• If you still like to let your baby sleep on its side, this is allowed up to the age of 2 weeks. After that, your baby should sleep on its back. This is partly to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). After 2 weeks, your baby is strong enough to roll over from a side position onto its stomach, with all the associated risks.

• A baby can sleep on its side until 2 weeks after birth and after 6 months of age. If your child still likes to adopt a side position or has a preferred position, you can also use a side sleeping pillow. This allows your baby to sleep safely on his or her side without rolling back into his or her preferred position.

Your child sleeps safest on his or her stomach

As young parents, you take everything into account. You know how long a baby can sleep without feeding and which sleeping position is safest. Under your supervision, the baby is sometimes allowed to adopt a side position. For example, while breastfeeding. Put your baby back in the safe supine position before bedtime. You can, of course, monitor this from a distance with a baby monitor.