Child Care: When Babies Sleep Right Side Up

Putting babies to sleep on their backs or sides not only reduces their chance of dying, but cuts down on fevers, sniffles and ear infections. Dr. Hunt, director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders, said surveys found that those infants who slept on their backs were no more likely to awaken during the night or to gag if they vomited. The research was based on studies of 3,733 parents who consistently put their babies to bed in the same position.

Dr. Hunt said the findings showed there was “no downside” to putting babies on their backs. In fact, he said, the data revealed important secondary benefits. Children who slept on their backs or sides were up to one-third less likely to need treatment for ear infections, he said, and were less likely to suffer fevers or stuffy noses. [via New York Times: Health]