Is it okay for children to crawl to sleep?

People sleep in many postures. The most common ones are sleeping on their backs, sleeping on their sides, and sleeping on their stomachs. In comparison, adults rarely sleep on their stomachs because everyone thinks it is uncomfortable. For example, it affects their breathing. However, parents often find that children like to sleep on their stomachs, and some babies even need to do so to sleep well. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of children sleeping on their stomachs?

Is it okay for children to crawl to sleep?

advantage:

1. The baby feels safe. The fetus is in a curled-up position in the mother's womb with its abdomen facing inward and its back facing outward. Because the ventral part of the human body lacks bone protection compared to the back, it is more vulnerable to external damage and is more sensitive. This posture is the most natural self-protection posture. Therefore, many babies seem to be born to love sleeping on their stomachs. This is also based on the above principle. It protects the most vulnerable part of the body, makes them feel more secure when they fall asleep, and is easier to fall asleep soundly, thereby reducing crying and is beneficial to the development of the nervous system.

2. It is beneficial to the peristalsis of the stomach and digestion. When sleeping on your stomach, the stomach contents are not easy to flow into the esophagus and mouth, causing vomiting; instead, they move into the small intestine, which is conducive to digestion and absorption.

3. Lying prone can make the baby raise his head and chest, thereby exercising the large muscle groups such as the neck, chest, back and limbs, which is conducive to turning over and crawling training.

shortcoming:

1. It is easy to cause suffocation because the baby's head is heavy and the neck is not strong enough. When the baby cannot turn his head or turn over freely, his mouth and nose are easily blocked by pillows, towels, etc., which may cause suffocation or even life-threatening.

2. It is not conducive to heat dissipation. The chest and abdomen are close to the bed, which is not easy to dissipate heat and can easily cause fever or eczema due to sweat accumulation in the chest and abdomen.

3. It is difficult to move the limbs and hands and feet.

Therefore, there is no harm to the baby's body when sleeping on his stomach, but attention should be paid to safety. If the baby must sleep on his stomach, it is difficult to correct his sleeping position. Under the premise of ensuring the baby's safety, parents can let the baby sleep on his stomach temporarily, and gradually cultivate the baby to sleep alternately on his back, left side, right side, and prone. For example: temporarily hang some brightly colored toys above or on the side where the baby sleeps to attract the baby, or the mother can accompany the baby next to him, or the baby can insist on gently changing his sleeping position after he falls asleep.