Why Can't Babies Sleep on Their Stomach? Understand the Risks and Safe Practices

As a parent, one of the biggest concerns you might have is making sure your baby is safe while they sleep. You've probably heard the advice that babies should sleep on their backs, but you might be wondering, "Why can't babies sleep on their stomach?"

It might feel natural to want to let your little one curl up on their tummy, but this position can actually be dangerous. In this post, we'll take a closer look at why stomach sleeping is risky, discuss when it's okay for your baby to sleep on their stomach, and share what you can do if your baby resists sleeping on their backs.

Risks of Babies Sleep on Their Stomach

Allowing babies to sleep on their stomachs might seem harmless, but research shows it significantly increases the risk of serious sleep-related complications. Here's why the answer to "Should babies sleep on their stomach?" is a definite no.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Placing your baby to sleep on their stomach is one of the most significant risk factors of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This unexplained and heartbreaking phenomenon occurs most commonly in babies under 1 year old.

Research shows a clear connection between stomach sleeping and SIDS. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies who typically sleep on their backs but are placed on their stomachs even once are 18 times more likely to die from SIDS.

Public health campaigns like the "Back to Sleep" initiative, which began in the 1990s, have been instrumental in reducing SIDS cases. These efforts, which encourage parents to always place babies on their backs to sleep, have led to a dramatic 83% drop in SIDS deaths since their introduction. However, the risk has not been completely eliminated.

According to the CDC, in 2022, the United States recorded approximately 3,700 Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) cases. These deaths included:

• 1,529 caused by SIDS.
• 1,131 from unknown causes.
• 1,040 from accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed.

Suffocation

Babies have limited head and neck control, especially in their first few months. When placed on their stomach, they might not be able to lift or turn their head if their nose and mouth are pressed against the mattress. This can block their airway and lead to suffocation, particularly if the sleep surface is soft or includes loose bedding, stuffed animals, or pillows.

Moreover, when babies sleep on their stomachs, they may re-breathe the air they've just exhaled, which contains higher levels of carbon dioxide and lower levels of oxygen. This imbalance can be life-threatening and is a significant risk factor for SIDS. By contrast, when your baby sleeps on their back, their exhaled air drifts away, allowing them to breathe in fresh oxygen more easily.

Choking

For parents asking, "Do babies sleep better on their stomach?", the common concern is that sleeping on the back increases the risk of choking if a baby spits up during sleep. However, the truth is quite the opposite.

If a baby is sleeping on their stomach and spits up, there's a chance their face could end up in a puddle of regurgitated milk or formula. This increases the risk of aspirating, or breathing in, the milk, which could lead to choking. On the other hand, when a baby sleeps on their back, their airway is anatomically positioned above the esophagus, making it easier for spit-up to drain away and reducing the risk of choking.

Overheating

Sleeping on the stomach can also raise your baby's body temperature, increasing the risk of overheating—a known factor contributing to SIDS. Babies' bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature, and being in a prone position can trap heat, especially when combined with warm bedding or clothing. Overheating can cause discomfort and potentially lead to serious complications.

When Can Babies Sleep on Their Stomach?

While the risks of stomach sleeping are clear, as your baby grows and develops, there will come a time when it's safe for them to sleep on their stomach. However, this milestone doesn't happen right away. For the first year of life, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends placing babies on their back for every sleep—naps and nighttime—to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Babies can safely sleep on their stomach once they can roll over both from back to tummy and tummy to back consistently on their own. This typically happens around 4 to 6 months of age, though it can vary from baby to baby.

Once your baby can roll independently, it's okay to let them find their own comfortable sleep position, whether that's on their back, side, or stomach. However, it's still essential to continue placing them on their back to sleep initially and allow them to roll into their preferred position during the night.

Plus, every baby develops at their own pace, so it's important to pay attention to your baby's unique milestones. If your baby has started rolling but hasn't mastered rolling both ways, they may end up stuck on their stomach. In these cases, you should gently reposition them onto their back until they gain the skills to move freely during sleep.

What If My Baby Prefers Sleeping on Their Stomach?

It's completely normal for newborns to prefer sleeping on their tummies. When asked, why do babies like to sleep on their stomach, it's often due to a startle reflex, called the Moro reflex, which can wake them up more easily when they're placed on their backs.

However, back sleeping is the safest position for your baby during the first year, and there are plenty of expert-approved tricks to help your little one feel more secure and comfortable in this position without sacrificing everyone's sleep:

Swaddle Safely (If They're Not Rolling Yet)

Most newborns feel more comfortable when swaddled, as it mimics the snug, cozy feeling of being in the womb. Swaddling can also help prevent the Moro reflex from waking your baby. Use a thin, breathable swaddle blanket to wrap your baby snugly like a burrito.

However, once your baby shows signs of rolling over onto their side or stomach, it's time to stop swaddling to ensure their safety.

Try White Noise and Soothing Music

White noise and soothing music can work wonders in helping your baby feel calm and secure while sleeping on their back. A dedicated white noise machine or music player can help drown out background sounds that might startle your baby awake and create a calm and relaxing sleep environment.

Here are two highly recommended tools to incorporate into your baby's sleep routine:

The Alilo Bunny baby music player is preloaded with 76 rich pieces of content, including white noise, nature sounds, nursery rhymes, bedtime stories, and lullabies. With features like Bluetooth, voice recording, adjustable volume, rechargeable battery, and auto sleep mode, it lets you customize content or record your own lullabies for a personal touch. It's a perfect tool to create a soothing sleep atmosphere for your baby.

The Alilo Smarty Bunny baby rattle isn't just your average rattle—it's a dual-purpose must-have for your little one! While designed to help develop your baby's fine motor and cognitive skills, it also doubles as a music player. You can play soothing music or white noise through the rattle to help your baby relax and fall asleep naturally. With an automatic shut-off after 30 minutes, it's a hassle-free way to provide comfort without disturbing your baby's sleep.

Use a Pacifier

Many babies find pacifiers incredibly soothing, and some evidence suggests that pacifier use, when paired with back sleeping, may further reduce the risk of SIDS. If your baby resists sleeping on their back, offering a pacifier can help comfort them and encourage them to stay in that position. Just make sure not to force a pacifier if your baby doesn't want it and never attach it to a string or clip that could pose a choking hazard.

Offer Plenty of Tummy Time During the Day

Babies who get enough tummy time while awake tend to be more comfortable sleeping on their backs. Tummy time strengthens their neck, back, and shoulder muscles, which helps them feel more secure and less frustrated when lying flat on their back for sleep.

Conclusion

Keeping your baby safe while they sleep is one of your top priorities as a parent, and now you know why babies can't sleep on their stomachs. The risks of SIDS, suffocation, and choking are very real, so it's crucial to always put your baby on their back to sleep and make sure their sleep environment is as safe as possible. Once your baby can roll over both ways independently—typically between 4 and 6 months—you can allow them to remain in the position they choose during sleep. If your baby isn't a fan of back sleeping at first, don't worry—try the tips we shared to help your little one adjust to safer sleep practices.

FAQs

Why is belly sleeping bad for babies?

Belly sleeping is risky for babies because it increases the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, and overheating. When babies sleep on their stomach, they may have difficulty breathing if their face is pressed against the mattress, leading to suffocation. It also increases the risk of rebreathing their own exhaled air, which can lower oxygen levels. Additionally, belly sleeping can make it harder for babies to regulate their body temperature, increasing the risk of overheating.

What age can babies sleep on their stomachs?

Babies can safely sleep on their stomachs once they can roll over both ways—usually between 4 to 6 months old. At this stage, they have enough strength and coordination to move their head and body if needed, reducing the risk of suffocation. However, you should always place your baby on their back to sleep until their first birthday, even if they roll over on their own during the night.

How do I stop my baby from sleeping face down?

To stop your baby from sleeping face down, always place them on their back to sleep, as recommended by pediatric experts. Use a firm, flat mattress and avoid soft bedding or pillows. If your baby rolls over onto their stomach during sleep, gently reposition them onto their back. You can also try swaddling (for younger babies), a pacifier, or using a white noise machine for a soothing environment.

Is it okay if baby rolls onto stomach when sleeping?

Yes, it's generally okay if your baby rolls onto their stomach while sleeping—as long as they can roll over both ways (from back to stomach and stomach to back) on their own. This typically happens around 4 to 6 months of age. However, you should still always place your baby on their back to sleep at the start of each sleep time and ensure their sleep environment is safe.